The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced new designations in recognition of International Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10. These actions include sanctions against individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses, specifically targeting those associated with Houthi-run prisons in Yemen and supporters of Bashar al-Assad.
The Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen emphasized the commitment to promoting human rights through financial measures: "The United States is strongly committed to promoting respect for human rights, and Treasury is proud of its longstanding use of our tools for this purpose."
Since January 2024, OFAC has used various sanctions programs to designate over 100 individuals and entities across more than 20 jurisdictions for human rights abuses. The focus areas included political repression, gender-based violence, and human trafficking.
One significant action was against the Houthi National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs (HNCPA) and its leader Abdulqader Al-Murtadha under Executive Order (E.O.) 13818 due to their involvement in serious human rights abuses within Houthi prisons in Yemen. Reports indicate prisoners have faced torture and degrading treatment at these facilities.
In Syria, Fawaz al-Akhras was designated under E.O. 13894 for supporting Bashar al-Assad financially and materially. This follows previous designations related to Assad's government's continued perpetration of serious human rights abuses during the Syrian conflict.
As a result of these actions, all property and interests belonging to the designated persons within the U.S., or controlled by U.S. persons, are blocked. Transactions involving these properties are prohibited unless authorized by OFAC.
OFAC’s sanctions aim not only to penalize but also encourage positive behavioral changes among those sanctioned. Financial institutions engaging with sanctioned entities risk exposure to further sanctions or enforcement actions.
For more information on today's designations or how entities can seek removal from OFAC lists, additional resources are available online.