The Effectiveness of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime

Following more than twelve months’ discussion in the Council, the European Union’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime was adopted in December 2020–a cause for celebration in the human rights community. Having been designed to address human rights violations as well as abuses and corruption worldwide, its adoption followed enactment of the Global Magnitsky legislation in the United States of America. This was part of a wave towards similar legislation being enacted in the Western world. Yet even though the list of designations under this regime has grown, little is known about its impact and effectiveness. Hence, this paper analyses trends in the regime’s designations and implementation, evaluating its efficacy in the achievement of goals.