EU calls sanctions on Iranian officials over rights abuses
April 14th, 2011 - 2:19 am ICT by BNO NewsTEHRAN, IRAN (BNO NEWS) — The European Union imposed a new round of sanctions against 32 Iranian officials, accusing them of human rights abuses, Press TV reported Wednesday.
The measures, which include assets freezes and travel bans, were adopted at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday. British Foreign Secretary William Hague claimed on the sidelines of the meeting that the EU wanted to hit back at the “appalling human rights record of Iran.”
The 27-nation bloc “is agreeing today restrictive measures on 32 individuals in Iran we believe are responsible and instrumental in these policies,” Hague added.
The names of the 32 individuals have not been made public.
Iranian officials dismissed the measures, claiming they were part of a political publicity campaign against the Islamic Republic and part of an effort to pressure Iran into giving up its rights to continue with its civilian nuclear program. They also insisted that sanctions previously adopted have been proven futile, as the country’s economy and nuclear program remain on track.
In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved a resolution, which was introduced by the U.S. and Sweden, for the appointment of a special human rights rapporteur for Iran. The motion received 22 votes in favor, seven against, and 14 abstentions.
The Islamic Republic denounced the act as a political move meant to divert attention from human rights abuses committed by the United States.
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