Search Results for keywords:"U.S. State Department"

The U.S. State Department, under the authority of Executive Order 13224, has designated Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya al Hakim as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This means they are recognized as leaders of Ansarallah, a group whose assets and property are blocked. The order prohibits prior notification since it could make the measures ineffective, especially for those in the U.S. who might quickly transfer funds. This official designation by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo was published in the Federal Register.

The Secretary of State has imposed sanctions on six individuals in accordance with the President's Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization. These individuals are accused of being leaders in implementing the National Security Law, engaging in activities such as arresting and detaining individuals. As a result, these individuals have been added to the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, meaning their assets in the U.S. are blocked and U.S. persons are prohibited from dealing with them. The decision took effect on January 15, 2021.

The document is an annual report on actions taken under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act by the U.S. to address serious human rights abuses and corruption worldwide. It highlights the designation of 243 foreign individuals and entities involved in such activities, leading to the blocking of their U.S.-based assets and imposing economic sanctions. Key targets included officials from China, South Sudan, Uganda, and Russia, among others, who have been identified for severe human rights violations or corrupt practices. The report also details efforts to collaborate with other countries, like the UK and EU, in adopting similar sanctions measures.

The Department of State has issued a final rule that updates the criteria for issuing "diplomatic type" or "official type" visas, aiming to better align with U.S. laws and international travel practices. This rule expands the previous definition of passports by including non-national travel documents, such as those from organizations like the United Nations, as potential equivalents to diplomatic passports. It also clarifies the categories of individuals who can receive these visas, making distinctions to avoid confusion between visa types and classifications. These changes ensure that the visa issuance process for diplomatic, official, and regular types is consistent and transparent.