DISINFO: EU sanctions against China are illegitimate and based on lies
SUMMARY
The EU’s unilateral sanctions against China are absolutely illegitimate. None of the unilateral sanctions are based on international law, including the sanctions imposed by the EU against China these days. The EU should not take steps that violate international law. The international community will not support sanctions that are "based on lies”.
RESPONSE
A recurring disinformation narrative about EU sanctions, framing them as violating international law and being unjustified, baseless measures against China.
Contrary to the claim, the Council of the EU decided on March 22 to impose restrictive measures on eleven individuals and four entities responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses in various countries around the world, including China. Together with the listing of four Russian individuals earlier this month, these 15 designations are part of the first broader package of listings under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The sanctions signal the EU’s strong determination to stand up for human rights and to take tangible action against those responsible for violations and abuses.
The violations targeted include the large-scale arbitrary detentions of, in particular, Uyghurs in Xinjiang in China for which the EU sanctioned four Chinese officials and one entity.
Under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime established on 7 December 2020, the listed individuals and entities are subject to an asset freeze in the EU. In addition, listed individuals are subject to a travel ban to the EU. Moreover, persons and entities in the EU are prohibited from making funds available, either directly or indirectly, to those listed.
Together with the EU, sanctions on officials in China were also introduced by the UK, US and Canada.