Geneva, A United Nations expert has called on the German government to dismiss charges against entrepreneur Alena Bekker, labeling the EU’s unilateral sanctions and their enforcement mechanisms as violations of international law and human rights standards. The critique focuses on the broader implications of sanctions compliance and the adverse effects on individual rights.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Alena Douhan, the Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, highlighted the case of Bekker, whose company, Texforum-Interhandel e.K., faced legal actions for importing wood and derived timber products from Belarus, despite adhering to contracts established before the EU’s import ban. The German customs authorities’ decision to seize Bekker’s goods and initiate a criminal complaint was criticized for over-compliance and disregard for the entrepreneur’s attempt to verify the legality of her actions.
Douhan expressed concern over the German authorities’ interpretation of EU export restrictions, suggesting it could undermine the principle of legal certainty and expand criminal penalties unjustly. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office’s subsequent investigation and seizure of Bekker’s personal and company assets were highlighted as examples of excessive enforcement actions impacting Bekker’s rights to a fair trial, privacy, and non-discrimination, alongside her health and reputation.
The Special Rapporteur’s comments underline the tension between sanctions enforcement and human rights obligations, urging Germany to align its actions with international legal standards and to reconsider the charges against Bekker. This case raises questions about the balance between national security measures and individual freedoms, echoing broader debates on the implications of unilateral sanctions on global human rights practices.