On Wednesday, the UK imposed sanctions against people and organizations it believes are behind the gender-based violence that has occurred in Iran, Syria, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, made the announcements in honor of International Women's Day while on a trip to Sierra Leone, where he is visiting female lawmakers who have played a key role in advancing gender equality policies.
“This package includes four individuals and one entity involved in grievous activities — including military figures who have overseen rape and other forms of gender-based violence in conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Those sanctioned include Major General James Nando, who commanded the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, and is accused of being one of the main perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence in Tambura County in 2021. Mahamat Salleh Adoum Kette has also been sanctioned for overseeing rape by fighters in the Central Africa Republic (CAR), while Amjad Youssef has been targeted for similar actions in Syria.
Additionally, it imposes fines on Iranian institutions that use "unreasonable force" to enforce mandated clothing regulations for women.
The sanctions follow up on a previous round of designations made in December that included 18 names of those accused of human rights violations, six of which were connected to sexual assault.
James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, made the announcements in honor of International Women's Day while on a trip to Sierra Leone, where he is visiting female lawmakers who have played a key role in advancing gender equality policies.
“This package includes four individuals and one entity involved in grievous activities — including military figures who have overseen rape and other forms of gender-based violence in conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Those sanctioned include Major General James Nando, who commanded the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, and is accused of being one of the main perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence in Tambura County in 2021. Mahamat Salleh Adoum Kette has also been sanctioned for overseeing rape by fighters in the Central Africa Republic (CAR), while Amjad Youssef has been targeted for similar actions in Syria.
Additionally, it imposes fines on Iranian institutions that use "unreasonable force" to enforce mandated clothing regulations for women.
The sanctions follow up on a previous round of designations made in December that included 18 names of those accused of human rights violations, six of which were connected to sexual assault.
