Executive Order 13818, titled "Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption," was signed by President Donald J. Trump on December 20, 2017.
Executive Order 13818, titled "Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption," was signed into effect on December 20, 2017, by President Donald J. Trump. The order signifies a robust response to combat global corruption and human rights abuses. Its implications are far-reaching, aiming to target individuals and entities involved in grave violations of human rights and corrupt practices worldwide.
Executive Order 13818 serves as a critical tool in the United States' foreign policy arsenal, aligning with its commitment to promoting liberty, human rights, and the rule of law internationally. The primary objective of the order is to disrupt and deter the activities of individuals and entities engaged in serious human rights abuses and corruption, thereby safeguarding global stability and security. By imposing targeted sanctions, asset freezes, and travel restrictions on offenders, the order aims to hold perpetrators accountable and prevent them from benefiting from ill-gotten gains.
The order provides the legal framework for imposing sanctions on individuals and entities identified as responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses or significant corruption. It authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, to designate such persons and entities for sanctions. These sanctions may include asset freezes, restrictions on access to the U.S. financial system, and prohibitions on U.S. persons engaging in transactions with the designated individuals or entities.
Furthermore, Executive Order 13818 empowers the Secretary of the Treasury to impose secondary sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that facilitate or support those designated for sanctions. This provision extends the reach of the order beyond its direct targets, compelling other actors to sever ties with human rights abusers and corrupt entities or risk facing sanctions themselves.
Since its enactment, Executive Order 13818 has had significant implications for individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses and corruption worldwide. The order has enabled the United States to target and sanction high-profile figures, government officials, and business entities implicated in egregious violations of human rights and systemic corruption. By freezing assets and restricting access to the U.S. financial system, the order has imposed tangible consequences on offenders, disrupting their operations and diminishing their ability to carry out illicit activities.
Moreover, Executive Order 13818 has catalyzed international cooperation in combating corruption and human rights abuses. By leveraging the U.S.'s economic and diplomatic influence, the order has encouraged other countries to adopt similar measures and collaborate in sanctioning perpetrators of global atrocities. This multilateral approach enhances the effectiveness of efforts to hold human rights abusers and corrupt individuals accountable on a global scale.
Executive Order 13818 represents a significant step in the United States' efforts to combat corruption and human rights abuses on a global scale. By targeting individuals and entities involved in serious violations of human rights and corruption, the order aims to hold perpetrators accountable and deter future misconduct.