FCDO announces UK sanctions against Iranian authorities for human rights violations during peaceful protests
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has announced the UK’s package of sanctions against ten individuals and one organisation in Iran for enabling and facilitating recent human rights violations against peaceful protestors. These measures form part of the UK’s commitment to hold the Iranian authorities to account following widespread brutality and violence. The Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA) was sanctioned for its prominent role in policing protests in Iran and is subject to an immediate director disqualification and asset freeze, while the designated individuals—including the Minister of the Interior, several Police Chiefs, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, judges and an Iranian businessman—are subject to immediate asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualifications. The measures follow earlier commitments by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, recent human rights sanctions by the EU and US, and international condemnation by the G7 and EU High Representative, forming part of more than 550 existing UK sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities for human rights violations.