Washington: The U.S. has imposed human rights sanctions on China, Myanmar, North Korea, and Bangladesh. SenseTime Group, a Chinese-made intelligence company, has been made on an investment blacklist.
The Chinese embassy condemned the US move. Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu alleged that interfering in the internal affairs of another country was a violation of international law. The U.S. sanctions were announced following an online democracy summit with more than 100 nations. After the summit, China criticized the US for using democracy as a weapon of repression. The repression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang is a serious human rights violation against China.
Sanctions have been imposed on Myanmar’s military-affiliated institutions and military leaders. The UK and Canada have backed US sanctions against Myanmar. Action is also being taken against a Russian company that exports workers from North Korea. This is the first time the Biden government has announced sanctions against North Korea and the Myanmar government. The U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary said that this was a warning to countries that abuse their power and oppress their people and incite riots.
The U.S. on Friday announced travel bans for 12 people from China, Belarus, and Sri Lanka. Seven people, including Bangladesh Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed, have been banned from traveling to the United States for human rights abuses. Later, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary summoned the U.S. Ambassador.
