Source · Select Committees · Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 30
30
Acknowledged
The Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 do not capture the full range of TNR...
Conclusion
The Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 do not capture the full range of TNR tactics, including violence, intimidation, harassment, illegal deportations, abductions and abuse of international mechanisms such as INTERPOL. (Conclusion, Paragraph 88)
Government Response Summary
The government states it keeps sanctions powers and regimes under review to respond to new developments, and that it can impose sanctions for state-directed crimes, including TNR activities, citing recent examples of such sanctions. It also notes the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 has been updated.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
1. The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA) gives the government independent powers to impose, implement, enforce and lift sanctions. SAMLA has been updated several times to strengthen the sanctions framework, close loopholes and make the system more agile to meet evolving geopolitical challenges. 2. The UK currently has 36 live sanctions regimes. These regimes are sets of sanctions measures focussed on specific countries or policy objectives, designed to achieve defined purposes and enshrined in legislation. 3. In agreement with the principles of the Committee’s recommendation, the Government keeps sanctions powers, regimes, designations and measures under review to respond to new developments and changing circumstances. The newest sanctions regime, the Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Sanctions Regulations 2025, was laid in Parliament on 22 July. 4. In certain circumstances, the UK can impose sanctions as part of its response to state-directed crimes, including activity amounting to TNR. 5. For example, in April 2025, the UK sanctioned the Iranian-backed Foxtrot criminal network and its leader, Rawa Majid, for their role in attacks against targets across Europe. In January 2024, the UK sanctioned those responsible in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with the Zindashti Cartel, who are employed by Iran’s intelligence services to do its bidding overseas, for their involvement in plots to kill opponents of the regime in the UK and abroad.