EU extends sanctions on Iran over human rights concerns

The Council of the EU has extended existing sanctions against Iran for one year until 13 April 2019, citing concerns over serious human rights violations. In December, Iran experienced its largest protests for over a decade when people took to the streets to protest against poverty, corruption and political repression. The resulting crackdown, with thousands imprisoned and multiple allegations of inhumane treatment, was widely criticised.

The EU sanctions consist of a travel ban and asset freeze against 82 people and one entity, as well as a ban on exports to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression or for monitoring telecommunications.

The EU is under pressure to take a firmer line on Tehran after President Trump issued a deadline of 12 May to the other signatories to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (‘JCPOA’), which provides sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for a scaling back of nuclear capacity, to ‘fix’ the deal. President Trump’s distaste for the JCPOA is well documented.

France, another signatory, is pressing for sanctions over Iran’s continuing ballistic missile development and support for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria