Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The EU imposed sanctions against organisations and individuals in Iran over the government’s crackdown on protests.
The bloc condemned Tehran’s use of force against protesters, stressing that its response to peaceful protest is inappropriate, according to Reuters reporting on Monday.
Protests erupted in Iran over the death of a woman held in morality police custody in mid-September. According to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Iranian authorities killed more than 300 protesters and arrested more than 15,000.
The EU pointed out in a statement that it imposed asset freezes and travel bans against four officers who arrested late Mahsa Amini and ranking officials including Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi.
Annalena Baerbock, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed that the EU wants “to send a clear message to those who think they can suppress, intimidate and kill their own people without consequences.”
The bloc imposed the first round of sanctions against Iran in October, including asset freezes and travel bans against 15 institutions and individuals involved in Amini’s death and the subsequent crackdown on protests.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, pointed out in a statement that the bloc stands “with the Iranian people and support their right to protest peacefully and voice their demands and views freely.”
Comments on Ukraine
Commenting on the war in Ukraine and reports that Western countries, Ukraine’s financiers, might encourage Kiev to negotiate with Moscow, Borrell stated that the decision on negotiations was on Ukraine.
Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, called on his EU counterparts to pledge again unwavering support for Ukraine.
“Maybe… the ministers can agree on the position that peace in Ukraine can only come under Ukrainian terms,” he added and accused the bloc of taking too much time to impose more sanctions against Russia.
The EU is discussing plans to impose a ninth package of sanctions against Moscow and send more money to Ukraine, with diplomats noting that foreign ministers are not close to agreement.
In addition, the bloc is discussing a new long-term approach to Russia in the wake of the war in Ukraine as the previous strategy focused on climate change and anti-terrorism was now obsolete.
