US Imposes Human Rights Sanctions On China, Myanmar, North Korea, and Bangladesh
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Roshan Amiri
- . December 11, 2021
- . Update: December 11, 2021 6:17 pm
United states–The US (United States) imposed human rights-related sanctions on 15 people and 10 entities tied to China, Myanmar, North Korea, and Bangladesh on Friday to coincide with International Human Rights Day. The US also added Chinese artificial intelligence company SenseTime Group to an investment blacklist. The US also restricted investment in this company.
The Treasury Department of the US made the announcement of imposing human-rights sanctions. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said the sanctions are intended to stop the targeted people and entities out of the global financial system. The sanctions also included a ban on two Chinese government officials and barred them from traveling to the United States. Wally Adeyemo cited the reason that they have been involved with the repression of Uyghurs and Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region of China.
Human rights-related sanctions
Canada and the UK (United Kingdom) joined the United States in imposing sanctions related to human rights abuses in Myanmar. Recently, the UN (United Nations) Human Rights Office has received multiple reports of villages being burned in Myanmar. At least 11 protesters were killed in anti-coup demonstrations in Myanmar against a crackdown by forces. Washington also imposed new sanctions on North Korea under President Joe Biden’s administration. The US also targeted Myanmar military entities while imposing sanctions.
Some sanctions were also imposed on officials in Bangladesh. The officials were reportedly involved with the country’s anti-drug Rapid Action Battalion, which was responsible for 600 extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh. Subsequently, they also produced evidence suggesting the officials have targeted opposition party members, journalists, and human rights activists in Bangladesh. Reportedly, human rights abuse in Myanmar is among the major issues for the US. United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken is expected to address this issue next week when he meets with officials in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
