EU to sanction 3 Iranians for human rights abuses

For the first time since 2013, the EU will impose travel bans and asset freezes on a number of Iranians accused of human rights abuses.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

30 March, 2021

The EU is looking to restart the nuclear deal [Getty]

For the first time since 2013, the European Union will impose sanctions on a number of Iranian individuals accused of human rights abuses, according to diplomatic sources who spoke to Reuters.

It is expected that the sanctioned individuals will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes, and according to the diplomatic sources they will be named next week.

The news of the fresh sanctions has not been confirmed by the EU.

Over 80 Iranian individuals, also related to human rights, are already subject to sanctions by the EU. These sanctions have been renewed every April since 2011 and it is believed that the new names will be added in conjunction with the renewals.

Diplomatic sources told Reuters that the EU was seeking to present a tougher stance when it comes to the issue of human rights, and this month has already imposed sanctions on 11 individuals from countries including China, North Korea, Libya and Russia.

“Those responsible for serious rights violations must know there are consequences,” one diplomatic source told Reuters.

Iran has come under repeated criticism for its human rights record, including the violent suppression of protesters, the jailing of political opponents, the use of torture, and the execution of minorities. Iran has denied these accusations.

In 2015 main powers in the EU signed a nuclear deal with Iran, limiting its nuclear production, and in turn the EU lifted a number of sanction on the country.

These new sanctions will be the first since the signing of that deal and the first since the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018.

The EU, along with the Biden administration, is seeking to restart the deal.

According to the diplomatic sources, the new sanctions are not related to the efforts to restart the nuclear deal.

An unnamed Iranian official today told Iranian state TV that the country will not stop enriching uranium to 20 percent unless all US sanctions are lifted. The statement seemingly came in response to what were reported to be leaked details of the US plan for a return to the deal.

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