Op-Ed: “Adoption of the first EU Human Rights Sanctions Regime: What is at Stake?” by Celia Challet

In the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the adoption of new sanctions regimes by the EU is common practice. As shown by the recent adoption of sanctions against Belarus, Turkey, and individuals and entities for the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, the EU frequently adopts and amends sanctions regimes. The sanctions regime that was adopted on 7 December 2020 is, however, of a very different kind. For the first time, the EU has adopted a global human rights sanctions regime. Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 and Regulation 2020/1998 enable the EU to adopt targeted restrictive measures to address serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Such measures can apply to individuals, entities and bodies, including State and