N/A

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R1499

Following the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan, Abdul-Hakim Sharei, in his capacity as acting Taliban Minister of Justice, has initiated a concerted effort to turn the national justice system against Afghan women. He has effectively obstructed the licensing of female lawyers and women’s ability to receive legal representation, and removed women from positions within the justice system. His instruction to review the entire legal framework of Afghanistan has also ended the application of the Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women. These policies constitute a concerted effort to employ the denial of justice as an effective tool to foster a system of gender-based repression by exposing women and girls to a state of lawlessness and impunity, for which Abdul-Hakim Sharei is directly and personally responsible. In his capacity as acting Taliban Minister of Justice, he is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Afghanistan, in particular the violation of women’s right to access to justice and the right to equal treatment between men and women.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi0h7qvoJWGAxX0JhAIHeaLB4oQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Feur-lex.europa.eu%2Flegal-content%2FEN%2FTXT%2FPDF%2F%3Furi%3DCELEX%3A32023R1499&usg=AOvVaw0K7Zr4QGrZnU-KfG5UBl2G&opi=89978449

2023-07-20

EU

Restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses

EU-horizontal

Human Rights

Asset freeze and prohibition to make funds available, Restrictions on admission

- All assets of the listed persons and entities should be frozen. It is also prohibited to make any funds or assets directly or indirectly available to them. - Member States shall enforce travel restrictions on persons listed in the Annex of Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999

On 9 December 2019, the Council welcomed the launch by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of preparatory work to establish a horizontal EU sanctions regime against serious human rights violations and abuses. On 17 November 2020, the Council approved conclusions on the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024, which set out the EU’s level of ambition and priorities in this field in its relations with all third countries. On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The regime enables the EU to target individuals, entities and bodies – including state and non-state actors – responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide, no matter where they occurred. It applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses. Other human rights violations or abuses can also fall under the scope of this sanctions regime, if they are widespread, systematic or otherwise of serious concern as regards the objectives of the EU common foreign and security policy. The restrictive measures consist of travel bans applying to individuals, and freezing of funds applying to both individuals and entities. In addition, EU persons and entities will be prohibited from making funds available to those listed, either directly or indirectly. Derogations to the restrictive measures are possible, including the delivery of humanitarian aid.