Press release : Justice for All International and Global Gaze Network Submit Complaint to UN Over Human Rights Violations Against Entrepreneur
- Intern JPTi
- Mar 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Justice for All International (Geneva) and Global Gaze Network (Zurich) have jointly submitted a complaint to the United Nations Special Procedures concerning human rights violations against German entrepreneur Alena Becker. Despite her adherence to responsible business practices and significant contributions to the German economy, Ms. Becker has faced unjust sanctions-related prosecution, primarily stemming from arbitrary interpretations of EU sanctions regulations by German customs authorities.
In 2022, following the imposition of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, Ms. Becker was subjected to financial losses, unwarranted criminal investigations, and legal actions, despite maintaining ethical business operations. The situation escalated further when administrative customs disputes were unjustly transformed into criminal proceedings, disproportionately impacting her rights and damaging her reputation and business activities.
In May 2023, Justice for All International and Global Gaze Network filed a formal complaint on Ms. Becker’s behalf, highlighting these abuses. Further efforts to draw international attention included Ms. Becker’s in-person testimony at the 12th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in November 2023, where she emphasized the broader consequences of unfair sanctions enforcement on small and medium-sized enterprises.
On 29 February 2024, the UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures issued a statement criticizing Germany’s prosecution of Ms. Becker for alleged sanctions violations. The Rapporteur underscored that such actions breach international law and human rights obligations and called for corrective measures.
The associations urge the German government to address the arbitrary enforcement of EU sanctions, protect entrepreneurial rights, and ensure that legal remedies are available to affected individuals. The case highlights the urgent need for a human-centric approach to sanctions enforcement that safeguards economic growth and fundamental freedoms.
Read the full press release below :
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