European Union lawmakers adopted a resolution Thursday calling for sanctions against those responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran’s morality police, and Tehran’s subsequent crackdown on anti-government protests.
The resolution, adopted by a show of hands, urges the 27-nation bloc to sanction Iranian officials and called for an investigation into Amini’s death.
“Parliament strongly condemns the widespread and disproportionate use of force by Iranian security forces against the crowds,” the resolution said in part.
Lawmakers also demanded that Iran "immediately and unconditionally release and drop any charges against anyone who has been imprisoned solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, as well as all other human rights defenders.”
Any sanctions by the EU would fall under the bloc's “Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.” It was set up two years ago so the bloc can “target individuals, entities and bodies – including state and non-state actors – responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide.”
Other human rights violations or abuses can be included “if they are widespread, systematic or otherwise of serious concern.”
These measures usually consist of travel bans and asset freezes on officials accused of involvement in any suspect abuses or “entities,” like banks, companies, agencies or other organizations. It prevents EU citizens from making funds available to those listed.
