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Iran vowed an “immediate” response to the European Union as it prepares new sanctions on the Islamic republic after over a month of protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death.
EU foreign ministers met today to adopt sanctions on Iran, including on the morality police in whose custody Amini died on September 16 after she was detained for allegedly breaching Iran’s strict dress code for women.
Iran will “decide and act immediately in accordance with the decisions and actions” taken by EU member countries, foreign ministry spokesman Naser Kanani said.
“If they initiate new sanctions, this action is definitely unconstructive and irrational.”
Iran has been rocked by demonstrations since the death of 22-year-old Amini and a crackdown on protesters.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned last week that “now is the time to sanction those responsible” in Iran “for the repression of women”.
The planned EU sanctions target 11 Iranian officials and four entities, including the morality police, who will be subject to EU visa bans and asset freezes.
The United States, Britain and Canada have already announced sanctions against Iran over rights violations.
Tehran has accused the United States and some US allies of fomenting the protests.
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Long overdue. Europe needs to stand with oppressed people around the world. Democracy and fundamental civil rights are the only way forward for humanity
Religion the cause of oppression and wars since time began,
@Paul Crowley: I’m an atheist but can see that Religions themselves can be a great cornerstone for morality and guidance for communities and nations. Many people use them peacefully as a way to live their life with love and respect for their fellow man.
The Problem is that they have been weaponised by power hungry despots the world over to strip people of their rights and belongings for centuries.
@Paul Crowley: the separation of church and state is essential and should be carefully protected,the demonising of individual belief systems however is just a sure way to cause division.
@Paolo Fandango: The fundamental problem with most religions is that they are a means by which men can force people (and especially women) to live their lives the way they think they should be lived.
This is how you end up in mad situation where the answer to men’s weakness and jealousy is to force women to cover up everything that causes the weakness and jealousy i.e it’s women’s fault and problem, not men’s.
And before Christians get too sanctimonious it’s not that long since Irish women had to wear ankle length dresses and headscarves to cover up all the tempting bits.
@Stanley Marsh: well spotted. Ireland in the decades after independence wasn’t far off what Iran is today. The only difference is we shoveled our women and children into institutions
@Paul Crowley: Yes one religion is still centuries behind the civilized world in the west . In fact its going backwards not forward
America has its Evangelicals and Afghanistan has its Taliban.
@andrew: I don’t think Evangelicals behead who they seem to have sinned or stone women to death for being in their view promiscuous, among other benign “sins”?
@catinthehat: Only because US laws won’t allow it.
@Stanley Marsh: the US still executes people though
@Stanley Marsh: that’s why the absolute separation of church and state is so vital. Ireland is still slowly crawling out from under the Catholic church
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