Anniversary of Mahsa; European Union Council Sanctions 'Four Individuals' and 'Six Other Entities' of the Islamic Republic

On Friday, September 15 (24 Shahrivar), the European Union Council imposed its tenth package of sanctions against four individuals and six entities deemed responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. The announcement of the sanctions package came following a statement from the High Representative of the European Union on the anniversary of the killing of Mahsa Amini while in custody of Iran's 'morality police' on September 25, 2022. The EU Council's statement noted that the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Imam Ali Security Headquarters and police commanders from the provinces of Mazandaran and Fars are included in today's lists. The Council also decided to include Kachoui Prison and its director, as well as the prisons of Sanandaj, Zahedan, and Isfahan; and the Tasnim News Agency, along with the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, in this list. According to this statement, these restrictions now apply 'in total to 227 individuals and 43 entities.' The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans to the EU, and prohibitions on making funds or economic resources available to the listed individuals. There is also a ban on the export of equipment that may be used for internal repression and telecommunications surveillance to Iran. The EU Council had previously issued a statement on the same day (Friday, 24 Shahrivar) to mark the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, condemning the Iranian government for human rights violations. The EU's statement began with a remembrance of Mahsa Amini, 'a 22-year-old woman who was killed while in the custody of Iran's morality police.' The Council wrote: 'Her death [Mahsa Amini] was the spark that ignited a nationwide movement of women and men demanding respect, support, and the realization of universal human rights and their fundamental freedoms.' The statement referred to the suppression of peaceful protests by Iranian authorities, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, thousands of unjust arrests, and other injuries, stating that 'freedom of thought and expression and other civil liberties are increasingly restricted [in Iran]. The human rights situation in Iran remains critical.' The EU Council stated that 'the European Union and its member states remain united in urging Iranian authorities to strictly adhere to the principles laid out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which Iran is a party.' The Council called on the Iranian government to eliminate all forms of systematic discrimination against women and girls in public and private life in law and practice, and to take action to prevent and ensure protection for women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence. The statement mentioned fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and the right to 'assemble,' which are suppressed in Iran. The EU Council also stated: 'We are horrified by the use of harsh sentences, including the imposition of the death penalty, against protesters, and we reiterate our explicit opposition to the death penalty under any circumstances, at any time, and in any place.' The EU Council also called on Iran to stop illegal and arbitrary detentions, including those of EU citizens and dual citizens of the EU and Iran, and to release these individuals immediately. At the end of this statement, the EU Council pledged to address the dire human rights conditions in Iran, stating: 'The European Union and its member states reiterate their firm support for the fundamental rights of Iranian women and men and their aspirations. Consequently, we will continue to explore all appropriate options available to address any concerning issues related to the human rights situation in Iran.'