COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2021/2197

of 13 December 2021

amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (1), and in particular Article 5(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999.

(2) On 8 December 2020, in a Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union regarding the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, the Union and its Member States reaffirmed their strong commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the Union’s determination to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Achieving the effective enjoyment of human rights by everyone is a strategic goal of the Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights are fundamental values of the Union and its Common Foreign and Security Policy.

(3) On 2 March 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/372 (2), which designated four Russian individuals involved in serious human rights violations in Russia, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as widespread and systematic repression of freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and freedom of opinion and expression.

(4) On 22 March 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/481 (3), which designated 11 individuals and four entities involved in serious human rights violations in China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Libya, Eritrea, South Sudan and Russia, including torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances or systematic use of forced labour.

(5) The Union remains deeply concerned about serious human rights violations and abuses in various parts of the world, such as torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and killings, committed by the Wagner Group, a Russia-based unincorporated private military entity, in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan and Mozambique.

(6) Bearing in mind the international dimension and the gravity of the Wagner Group’s activities, as well as its destabilising impact in those countries, the Union considers that the Wagner Group’s actions undermine the objectives of the common foreign and security policy as set out in Article 21 TEU, in particular the objective to consolidate and support democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of international law in accordance with point (b) of Article 21(2) TEU.

(7) In this context, three persons and one entity should be included in the list of natural persons, legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999.

(8) The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 13 December 2021. For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES

(1) OJ L 410 I, 7.12.2020, p. 13.

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/372 of 2 March 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (OJ L 71 I, 2.3.2021, p. 6).

(3) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/481 of 22 March 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (OJ L 99 I, 22.3.2021, p. 25).