The EU opens the door to more sanctions against Iran for the repression of protests

BRUSSELS, Nov. 9 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The European Union has indicated this Wednesday that it will closely monitor the situation in Iran and does not rule out applying new sanctions to respond to the violent repression of the protests against the death of the young Masha Amini.

In a new debate on the situation in Iran in the European Parliament, the vice president of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, has insisted that the EU does not rule out adopting “more restrictive measures” if the wave of repression in Tehran continues.

“The EU and its Member States will continue to monitor the situation of the protests in Iran and consider all the options at their disposal, including more restrictive measures,” said Dombrovskis, who stated that the EU will study the crisis at the meeting of ministers of Foreign Affairs on Monday and could continue the path taken on October 17 when it approved sanctions against 11 people and four entities for human rights violations in Iran.

The former Latvian Prime Minister has argued that Iranian protesters have the right to peaceful protest and their fundamental rights must be respected by the Ayatollahs’ regime. Likewise, he has affirmed that the European bloc urges in its exchanges with the Iranian authorities that they respect the right of expression and protest in the country.

The Twenty-seven approved expanding the existing sanctions for human rights violations in Iran in order to react to the situation unleashed in the country after the death of the 22-year-old woman arrested for allegedly wearing the veil incorrectly.

Amini’s death has led to protests across the country that have met with a violent response from the Iranian authorities. With the new restrictions, the EU keeps 97 individuals and eight entities on its ‘black list’ for rights violations in Iran.