Accessibility links

Breaking News

EU Prolongs Sanctions On Iran Over Rights Violations


Members of the Belgian-Iranian community gather to protest against the mass execution of political prisoners in Iran in Brussels.
Members of the Belgian-Iranian community gather to protest against the mass execution of political prisoners in Iran in Brussels.

The European Union says it has prolonged sanctions against Iran over its human rights record for another year.

The European Council of member states said in an April 11 statement that the sanctions were extended until April 2018 in response "to serious human rights violations in Iran."

The restrictive measures include a travel ban and an asset freeze against 82 people and one entity as well as a ban on exports to Iran of equipment for monitoring telecommunications and other gear that "might be used for internal repression."

The measures, which were first put in place in 2011, are unrelated to Iran's nuclear program.

A 2015 agreement between Iran and six world powers imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for some sanctions relief.

With reporting by AFP
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG