U.S., European Union Impose New Sanctions On Syria

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U.S., European Union impose new sanctions on Syria 2012-04-24 10:04:05 GMT+7 (ICT) BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. government and the European Union (EU) on Monday announced it will impose new sanctions against Syria, coming amidst reports that Syrian government forces killed more than 30 people after a UN visit to the country.The Council of the EU said it decided to adopt restrictive measures on the export to Syria of additional equipment, goods and technology that can be used for internal repression or for the manufacturing and maintenance of such products. It also agreed to ban the sales of luxury goods from the EU to Syria. "We have imposed additional sanctions against the Syrian regime because of deep concern about the situation and the continuing violence, in spite of the ceasefire," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. "The repression in Syria must stop. We are working with the international community to ensure that we enforce sanctions as effectively as possible."The EU also said that the Council will adopt implementing legislation to define which items are covered by the two provisions. The announcement marks the fourteenth time in which the EU imposes restrictive measures against the Syrian regime since the start of the violent repression against the civilian population.In the United States, President Barack Obama authorized an executive order to target those who facilitate serious human rights abuses in Syria and Iran through the use of information and communications technology. "The Syrian and Iranian governments are rapidly increasing their capabilities to disrupt, monitor, and track communications networks that are essential to the ability of Syrians and Iranians to communicate with each other and the outside world," the White House said.The executive order establishes financial and travel sanctions against those who allegedly perpetrate or facilitate human rights abuses via information technology. The White House said new sanctions are also aimed to degrade the ability of the Syrian and Iranian governments to acquire and utilize technology to intercept GPS, satellite and internet communications and cellphones which are used by activists. "We will implement this sanctions instrument consistent with our strong belief in the need to ensure that the citizens of Syria and Iran have access to information and communications technology that facilitates their access to information and ability to protect and organize themselves in the face of oppression," the White House said in a statement. "This order underscores our efforts to help the Syrian and Iranian people pierce through the “electronic curtain†that the Syrian and Iranian regimes have put in place."British Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the EU's new sanctions. "Despite the urgent need for Assad to end the violence immediately, he and his close supporters continue to lead comfortable lives," he said. "Today the EU has also agreed to ban the export of luxury goods to Syria."Over 9,000 lives have been lost since March 2011 when a protest movement similar to those witnessed across the Middle East and North Africa began in Syria. Most of the casualties have been civilians. In addition, at least 230,000 people have been displaced and, in total, an estimated one million people are in need of relief.

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