Human Rights Watch says parliament approved grounds to target serious humanitarian-law violations, obstruction of aid and violations of liberty and personal security, opening the way for further sanctions.
The UK government can target people and entities over additional categories of alleged abuse after parliament approved expanded human rights sanctions powers, Human Rights Watch said in an account published on 2 November. The group said approval came “yesterday,” relative to its account.
The new grounds cover serious violations of international humanitarian law, obstruction of humanitarian assistance, and violations of the rights to liberty and personal security. Humanitarian law includes rules governing conduct during armed conflict.
The previous framework, adopted in 2020, covered certain serious violations of the right to life and freedom from torture, slavery and forced labor, Human Rights Watch said. The expansion gives ministers authority to impose sanctions; it does not itself designate the people or entities the group identifies.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the change in September while setting out measures addressing Israel’s settlement expansion in the West Bank, which Human Rights Watch describes as unlawful. The group said the powers can also be used against those responsible for war crimes elsewhere.
Human Rights Watch said it documented the forced displacement of 32,000 Palestinians from three West Bank refugee camps in 2025, which it considers war crimes and crimes against humanity. It called for targeted sanctions on officials including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, as well as criminal accountability.
In Sudan, the group said Abu Dhabi-based Global Security Services Group, owned and run by Mohamed Hamdan al-Zaabi, apparently hired Colombian military contractors who were deployed alongside the Rapid Support Forces. That included El Fasher, where Human Rights Watch said the force committed mass atrocities.
The Education Ministry’s morning count puts the disruption to families in focus as workers and students press for better education, higher wages and protected public services. The ministry said 16% of teachers had gone on strike. On 10 November, it counted blockades at 49 of the country’s 3,700 high schools.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch said M23 and Rwandan forces forcibly recruited and detained thousands of people, including children, and abused them in training camps. It attributed responsibility for the camps to Rwanda Defense Force Special Force commander Stanislas Gashugi and M23 commanders Léon Kanyamibwa and Bertin Masozera.
Human Rights Watch welcomed the expansion, saying it allows the UK to impose consequences for atrocities worldwide. It urged the UK to use the powers consistently where appropriate to help end atrocities. It said sanctions should remain distinct from criminal accountability and called for investigations and fair trials for international crimes. It also urged the UK to ensure its criminal justice system can investigate and prosecute those responsible for war crimes wherever they occur and whoever commits them.
The group also called for safeguards allowing those affected to challenge sanctions. UK government guidance says that under section 23 of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, a designated person or an authorized representative can request that a designation be changed or revoked; organizations can do the same. A designated person or requester dissatisfied with the review decision can seek to have it set aside by the High Court or, in Scotland, the Court of Session, which applies judicial-review principles.
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The Dublin-to-Rome Aer Lingus flight landed safely in France, and its 151 passengers and six crew were moved to safety. The Guardian counted at least 25 flights disrupted across Europe on 5 November and at least 33 that week; it reported that the flights in its count landed safely and searches found nothing suspicious. The BBC separately counted at least 21 aircraft targeted. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called the incidents malicious hoax threats.
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Investigators allege the group supplied Russia with significant quantities of components used to make ammunition and weapons systems despite an embargo.
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