Brussels, 15 September 2023
Today, the Council imposed a tenth package of restrictive measures on four individuals and six entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. Today’s package follows the High Represenative’s declaration on behalf of the European Union to mark the anniversary of the killing of Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022, while in custody of the Iranian morality police.
Today’s listings include the Deputy to the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Imam Ali Central Security Headquarters and the police commanders of the Mazandaran and Fars Provinces.
The Council also decided to list Kachui prison and its director; the prisons of Sanandaj, Zahedan and Isfahan; as well as Tasnim News agency together with the Supreme Council of Cyberspace.
Restrictive measures now apply to a total of 227 individuals and 43 entities. They consist of an asset freeze, a travel ban to the European Union and a prohibition to make funds or economic resources available to those listed. A ban on exports to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression and of equipment for monitoring telecommunications is also in place.
The European Union expresses its support for the fundamental aspiration of the people of Iran for a future where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
Today’s package of restrictive measures follows the previous nine adopted by the Council on 17 October, 14 November, 12 December 2022, 23 January, 20 February, 20 March, 24 April, 22 May and 26 June 2023.
The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.
• Official Journal of the EU, 15 September 2023 (including a list of the sanctioned individuals and entities)
• Statement of the High Representative on behalf of the EU on Iran
Source – EU Council
Iran: Statement by the EU HR
Brussels, 15 September 2023
One year ago, the 22 year old woman Mahsa Amini was killed while in custody of the Iranian morality police. Her death sparked a nationwide movement of women and men calling for the respect, protection and fulfilment of their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The response to this wave of protests by the Iranian authorities was repression causing hundreds of deaths, thousands of unjust detentions and harm. Freedom of opinion and expression and other civic freedoms have been increasingly curtailed. The human rights situation in Iran continues to be critical.
The EU and its member states stand united in urging the Iranian authorities to strictly abide by the principles enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party. We call upon Iran to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of systemic discrimination against women and girls in public and private life and to take gender-responsive measures to prevent and ensure protection for women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms. The EU believes in and speaks up for fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, including online and offline, and freedom of assembly, which must be respected in all circumstances. A strong and free civil society is essential.
We are appalled by the use of harsh sentences, including the carrying out of capital punishment, against protesters and reiterate our unequivocal opposition to the death penalty at all times, in all places and in all circumstances. Taking into account the worrying increase in executions in Iran over the past year, the EU calls on the Iranian authorities to refrain from any future executions, provide due process to all detainees and pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment. The EU also recalls that under international law the prohibition of torture is absolute. There are no reasons, circumstances or exceptions whatsoever that could be invoked as a justification for its use.
Moreover, we call on Iran to implement the relevant international treaties and agreements to which it is a party, to allow free and unhindered access to the country for relevant UN Human Rights Special Procedures mandate holders and to fully cooperate with the independent, international Fact-Finding Mission created by the Human Rights Council. The European Union will continue to demand that the perpetrators of violence and human rights violations be held accountable.
The EU also calls on Iran to immediately cease the unacceptable and unlawful practice of arbitrary detention, including of EU and dual EU-Iranian citizens and to immediately set them free.
The EU and its member states reaffirm their strong support for the fundamental rights of Iranian women and men and their aspirations. As a result, we continue to consider all appropriate options at our disposal to address any issues of concern pertaining to the human rights situation in Iran.
Source – EU Council
Iran/JCPoA: Statement by the spokespersons of France, Germany and the United Kingdom
Paris, 15 September 2023
In direct response to Iran’s consistent and severe non-compliance with its JCPoA commitments since 2019, the governments of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom intend to maintain nuclear proliferation-related measures on Iran, as well as arms and missile embargoes, after JCPoA Transition Day on 18 October 2023. We have jointly notified the JCPoA Coordinator in that regard.
This decision is fully compliant with the JCPoA. It follows our attempts to resolve Iran’s non-compliance through the JCPoA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism which we triggered in January 2020. Iran has refused opportunities to return to the JCPoA twice and has continued to expand its programme beyond JCPoA limitations and without any credible civilian justification. Its enriched uranium stockpile stands at more than 18 times the amount permitted under the JCPoA.
Our commitment to finding a diplomatic solution remains. This decision does not amount to imposing additional sanctions nor to triggering the snapback mechanism. We stand ready to reverse our decision, should Iran fully implement its JCPoA commitments.
Source – French Government