LONDON: Britain has imposed sanctions on eleven individuals for human rights violations, violence and torture.
The list includes Ahmad Anwar Khan, known as Rao Anwar, the former Senior Superintendent of Police in Malir District, Karachi. He is currently under trial for the extra-judicial killing of a youth Naqeebullah Mehsud.
“The UK and our allies are shining a light on the severe and systematic human rights violations perpetrated by those sanctioned today,” foreign secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. He added the sanctions send a clear message to human rights violators that the UK will hold them to account.
The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes on eleven politicians, officials and others responsible for gross human rights violations including torture and murder.
READ MORE: US blacklists Rao Anwar for serious human rights abuses
Others named in the sanctions were security figures and officials from Russia, Venezuela, and Pakistan. Former President of The Gambia Yahya Jammeh and his wife have been included in the list.
UK Foreign Secretary said they are acting alongside the US who are also announcing new designations under their human rights regime He warned those who commit human rights violations that the UK will not hesitate to impose further sanctions.
These sanctions give the UK powers to stop those involved in serious human rights abuses and violations from entering the country, channelling money through UK banks, or profiting from the economy.
In Russia, the UK is imposing sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against three individuals and the Terek Special Rapid Response Unit responsible for torture and other human rights violations in Chechnya.
In Venezuela, sanctions will be imposed on senior security figures responsible for human rights violations in President Maduro’s regime.
Today on #HumanRightsDay, the UK sends a clear message to human rights violators by placing sanctions against those responsible for serious violations, such as torture & extra-judicial killings in Russia, Venezuela, The Gambia and Pakistan. We will hold them to account. pic.twitter.com/yCtVjzmmYJ
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) December 10, 2020
