The UK’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Monday, February 2, announced sanctions on ten individuals and one organisation who have “committed human rights violations in Iran” during recent protests.
Protests erupted on the streets of Iran in December of the country’s ailing economy, but quickly shifted to oust the Mullah regime that has ruled with an iron fist since 1979.
Images of the protests show the capital Tehran painted with graffiti and while reports said protesters were chanting for the death of 86-year-old supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Protesters turned out even as armed forces met them with brutality with outlets reporting that videos showed body bags lined up at morgues in the capital at the height of the demonstrations.
“The UK has today announced a sweeping package of sanctions, as part of work to hold the Iranian authorities accountable for a number of serious human rights violations,” statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ms Cooper said.
“Ten individuals and one organisation are today… sanctioned for their role in enabling and facilitating brutality and violence against the Iranian people, both in recent peaceful protests and previous events.”
The Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA) was sanctioned for its role in policing protests in Iran. It is subject to a director disqualification and asset freeze immediately.
The following individuals are subject to an asset freeze, travel ban and director disqualification immediately:
The Ms Cooper said: “The Iranian people have shown extreme courage in the face of brutality and repression over recent weeks simply for exercising their right to peaceful protest. The reports and shocking scenes of violence that have been seen around the world are horrific.”
“We committed to bringing forward sanctions and warned the Iranian regime of further measures.”
“We were clear that we would hold the Iranian authorities to account – and today’s package does just that.”
The foreign secretary has called on the international community to hold the Iranian authorities to account for recent violence. This follows human rights sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States over recent days.
It also follows the commitment set out by the G7 Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative which condemned Iran’s use of violence against protestors and outlined that members would be prepared to impose additional restrictive action if it continued.