On 6 July, the UK Government announced its new human rights sanctions regime (the so-called Magnitsky laws) as “a demonstration of Global Britain’s commitment to acting as a force for good in the world”. Under the new sanctions regime, the UK can impose asset freezes and travel bans on individuals and entities who have been involved in human rights violations and abuses.

This is the first time that the UK has used its autonomous sanctions powers since its withdrawal from the EU. Those targeted under the Magnitsky laws include individuals and entities that have been involved in serious violations of human rights, including 25 Russian officials who were reportedly involved in the mistreatment and death of Sergei Magnitsky; 20 Saudi Arabian officials linked to the unlawful killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018; two high-ranking commanders of the Myanmar Armed Forces alleged to be responsible for atrocities and serious human rights violations against the Rohingya population; and two North Korean entities involved in running prison camps and serious human rights violations against the prisoners.