# The Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026, Regulation 4: Purposes

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

(1) The purposes of the regulations contained in this instrument are to deter, and provide accountability for, activities falling within paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) An activity falls within this paragraph if it is an activity which, if carried out by or on behalf of a State within the territory of that State, would amount to a serious violation by that State of an individual's—
(a) right to life,
(b) right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,
(c) right to be free from slavery, not to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour, or
(d) right to liberty and security of person,
whether or not the activity is carried out by or on behalf of a State.
(3) An activity falls within this paragraph if it constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
(4) An activity falls within this paragraph if it constitutes obstruction of the delivery or distribution of, or access to, humanitarian assistance.
(5) An activity falls within paragraph (2), (3) or (4) if it is carried out—
(a) outside the British Islands and British overseas territories by any person, or
(b) in the British Islands or a British overseas territory by a person who is not a United Kingdom national or a person incorporated or constituted under the law of any part of the British Islands or a British overseas territory.
(6) In paragraphs (2) to (4) an “activity” includes an omission.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/1071/regulation/4 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/global-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law-sanctions-regulations-2026/regulation-4
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.