Today, Human Rights Activists (in Iran) (HRA) submitted recommendations for the “Consultatie Wet internationale sanctiemaatregelen” to the Dutch Government. As the Netherlands modernizes its Sanctiewet 1977, HRA’s submission underscores the importance of implementing human rights sanctions strategically through collaboration with NGOs and cooperation with allies.
HRA has been tracking individuals involved in human rights violations in Iran through its Spreading Justice initiative. This database documents violations with detailed narratives and supporting evidence. In recent months, HRA has collected data across five jurisdictions—the USA, EU, Canada, Australia, and the UK—identifying nearly 400 sanctioned individuals and entities. In the past 5 years, HRA has aided in providing at least one piece of the information required to designate more than 50 targets across five jurisdictions.
The submission highlights discrepancies in sanctions between jurisdictions and emphasizes the importance of targeting what HRA refers to as Low-Level High-Impact Individuals (LLHI), who play significant roles in human rights abuses. Coordinating with EU member states and allies like the USA, UK, and Canada, along with involving NGOs in the consultation process, will enhance the effectiveness and impact of sanctions.
Targeted human rights sanctions aim to hold perpetrators accountable, deter potential violators, and uphold international human rights standards without harming innocent civilians. The involvement of NGOs enriches the accuracy and legitimacy of these sanctions by leveraging their frontline insights and local knowledge.
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