Targeted sanctions and human rights: reflecting on the global human rights sanctions regime in the UK and beyond

Yifan Jia, PhD Candidate and Visiting Lecturer at Law School, delivered the welcome remarks, offering an overview of the development of the global human rights sanctions regimes globally.

The opening speech was delivered by Alastair Morgan, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Department of War Studies. Drawing on his experience as the former British Ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and as former Expert and Coordinator of the UN Panel of Experts on DPRK sanctions, he explored the challenges and potential of implementing human rights sanctions.

The first panel, Using Targeted Sanctions to Combat Human Rights Abuses, was chaired by Dr Ksenia Kirkham, Lecturer in the Department of War Studies.

The Rt Hon The Lord Garnier KC, Member of the House of Lords and Barrister at 4 Pump Court, offered insights into the evolution of the UK’s sanctions legislation, emphasizing that sanctions must reflect a genuine commitment to accountability. Natalia Kubesch, Legal Officer at Redress, examined the role of Magnitsky sanctions as an accountability mechanism for human rights violations, while highlighting key areas in need of reform. Jonas Helyar, Advocacy Director at the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, cautioned against inconsistencies in the application of Magnitsky sanctions, drawing on advocacy efforts related to cases of arbitrary detention.

The second panel, The Role and Impact of Human Rights Sanctions: Domestic and International Perspectives, was chaired by Dr Nathanael Tilahun, Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex School of Law.

John Binns, Partner at BCL Solicitors LLP, explored how states pursue human rights accountability beyond their borders, comparing the use of targeted sanctions with tools of criminal law. Ben Keith, a barrister at 5 St Andrew's Hill, warned against the misuse of human rights sanctions, citing both the failure to respond to serious violations and the abuse of sanctions powers, which has led to the imposition of so-called ‘bad human rights sanctions’. Peter Caldwell KC, Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, provided an in-depth analysis of the legal and practical challenges faced by individuals, businesses, and charities affected by human rights sanctions, drawing on recent findings from the UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures.

The third panel, Human Rights Challenges for Sanctioned Individuals, was chaired by Professor Satvinder Juss from the Law School.

Maya Lester KC, Barrister at Brick Court Chambers, traced the development of de-listing procedures and case law in both the UK and the EU, including the development of status-based sanctions and broader listing criteria. Guy Martin, Head of International Law at Carter-Ruck, addressed rule of law concerns in the context of targeted sanctions, drawing on his experience representing Kadi in landmark sanctions litigation. Dr Anna Bradshaw, Partner at Peters & Peters, examined how vague designation criteria undermine fairness and judicial oversight, raising particular concerns about the quasi-criminal nature of some sanctions. Yifan Jia further questioned whether targeted sanctions are increasingly resembling criminal punishment without the accompanying procedural safeguards, drawing on her research on global human rights sanctions regimes.

If you would like to learn more about this event, the collection of speeches is available in PDF format.