EU sanctions 3 Syrian government ministers for human rights violations
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The European Union announced on Tuesday that it has added three Syrian government ministers to its sanctions list in response to ongoing human rights violations and continued repression in Syria.
The individuals newly added to the sanctions list are Louai Emad El-Din al-Munajjid, Syria’s Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection; Firas Hassan Qaddour, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; and Ahmed Mohammad Bustaji, Minister of State.
These sanctions impose asset freezes and prohibit EU citizens and businesses from providing funds to those listed, in addition to travel bans.
Earlier in October, the European Council had already extended sanctions against the Syrian government in relation to the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.
This move follows previous sanctions imposed in July, when the EU targeted Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas and Chief of Staff Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, citing their roles in the actions of the Syrian government forces, which were responsible for violations against civilians.
The European Council explained that the decision to sanction these three ministers was based on their involvement in the violent repression carried out by the Syrian government against the civilian population.