Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1098 of 5 June 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1098of 5 June 2023implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abusesTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abusesOJ L 410 I, 7.12.2020, p. 1., and in particular Article 14(4) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Whereas:(1)On 8 December 2020, in the Declaration by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the European Union regarding the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, the Union and its Member States reaffirmed their strong commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the Union’s determination to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Realising the effective enjoyment of human rights by everyone is a strategic goal of the Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights are fundamental values of the Union and its Common Foreign and Security Policy.(2)The Union is concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Russia. Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has amplified internal repression in Russia, drastically limiting the freedom of opinion and expression and media freedom and introducing war censorship.(3)The Union continues to strongly condemn the severe expansion of restrictive legislation and systematic repression against civil society and human rights defenders, as well as the unabated crackdown on independent media, individual journalists, political opposition members and other critical voices.(4)The Union strongly condemns the ruling by a Moscow court to sentence the opposition politician, democracy activist and outspoken Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison on politically motivated charges. The Union calls on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all those imprisoned for politically motivated charges.(5)In this context, nine persons should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2020/1998.(6)Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 should therefore be amended accordingly,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: