US slaps sanctions on alleged human rights abusers in Russia, Yemen and Haiti

The Treasury Department imposed sanctions Thursday on alleged violators of human rights in Russia, Yemen and Haiti, a move that coincided with International Human Rights Day.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control’s took actions to block the property and interests of numerous individuals, including Ramzan Kadyrov, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and leader of the Kadyrovtsy, a group implicated in the killing of Boris Nemtsov, a Putin opponent.

Three individuals from Haiti — Jimmy Cherizier, Joseph Pierre Richard Duplan and Fednel Monchery — were sanctioned for their participation in a November 2018 gang attack that led to the deaths of at least 71 people, including children, the Treasury Department said.

Additionally, five people with ties to Yemen’s Houthi-controlled security and intelligence agencies were targeted: Sultan Zabin, Abdul Hakim al-Khaiwani, Abdul Rahab Jarfan, Motlaq Amer al-Marrani and Qader al-Shami.

“As we recognize International Human Rights Day, the United States stands with innocent civilians around the globe who have been victims of violence and oppression,” said Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich.

“The United States also welcomes the growing ability of our partners to join us in targeting human rights abuses,” he added. “Over the last few months, the United Kingdom and the European Union have each adopted new sanctions authorities, creating a powerful, global framework for targeting human rights abuses.”