12 April 2024 15:20
The Council decided today to list three entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime in view of their responsibilities in the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks that occurred across Israel on 7 October 2023.
The listed entities are the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the EU-designated terrorist organisation Palestinian Islamic Jihad; Nukhba Force, a special forces unit of the EU-designated terrorist organisation Hamas; and the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
With today’s listings, restrictive measures under the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime now apply to 104 natural and legal persons and 26 entities from multiple countries.
Those listed under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit, is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed.
In its conclusions of 21-22 March 2024, the European Council recalled its previous conclusions condemning Hamas in the strongest possible terms for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel on 7 October 2023, recognising Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law and international humanitarian law, and calling for the immediate release of all hostages without any precondition. The European Council stressed that hostages’ safety and well-being was of grave concern, and that Hamas and other armed groups must immediately grant humanitarian access to all remaining hostages. The European Council also called on the Council to accelerate work on the adoption of further relevant restrictive measures against Hamas.
The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.
Background
On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 establishing a Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime which applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses (e.g. torture, slavery, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests or detentions). The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the Union’s determination to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Achieving the effective enjoyment of human rights by everyone is a strategic goal of the Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights is a fundamental value of the Union and its common foreign and security policy.
On 4 December 2023, the Council prolonged restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime until 8 December 2026.
- Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1074 of 12 April 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses
- Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1073 of 12 April 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses
- Consolidated text: Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses, 29 January 2024
- European Council conclusions 21-22 March 2024