On Friday, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against 20 individuals in nine countries for human rights abuses. The sanctions serve as a strong reminder of the need to protect human rights everywhere and the US’ commitment to hold perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable.
Among the sanctioned individuals, 13 were targeted for their roles in perpetrating or condoning the perpetration of rape and other forms of sexual violence in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, and South Sudan. Two Taliban officials in Afghanistan were designated for abuse related to the repression of rights for women and girls based solely on their gender, while two Iranian intelligence officers were sanctioned for cracking down on opponents of the government and peaceful protests. Two Chinese government officials in Xinjiang province were also targeted for serious human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim ethnic minority.
The US sanctions coincide with the upcoming 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or UDHR, the landmark document that enshrines human rights and fundamental freedoms for all individuals. This important milestone is a reminder of the struggles for freedom and human rights in countries around the world.
The sanctions come at a time when US President Joe Biden has made promoting accountability for conflict-related sexual violence a top priority. He signed a memorandum last year to strengthen the US government’s efforts to combat the issue, using financial, diplomatic, and legal tools.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday’s sanctions “underscore the seriousness of our commitment to promoting accountability for human rights abuse and safeguarding the U.S. financial system from those who commit these egregious acts.” She also noted that the US commitment to upholding human rights is “sacrosanct,” stressing the importance of ensuring that those who perpetrate human rights abuses are held accountable.
The US Department of State has also taken action this year to promote human rights and to protect vulnerable populations. In August, new sanctions were imposed on Venezuelan officials involved in corruption and human rights abuses. The State Department continued to use both targeted and broad-based economic sanctions to pressure the government of Nicolas Maduro and to hold human rights abusers accountable.
In addition, the State Department’s Office of the Special Envoy for Women’s Global Issues has been actively working to combat gender-based violence, including by supporting organizations dedicated to eliminating such violence. The office also provides training and technical assistance to international governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to build the capacity of advocates and activists to promote the rights of women and girls.
The sanctions announced by the US Treasury on Friday send a strong message that human rights abuses will not be tolerated. It is important that those who perpetrate such violence are held accountable for their actions. The US will continue to use a broad range of tools and strategies to promote accountability and to support those who are vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
