News / Middle East

EU Expands Sanctions Against Iran

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague, October 5, 2011.
Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague, October 5, 2011.
TEXT SIZE - +

The European Union has expanded sanctions against Iran because of what the EU says are continued human rights abuses.

The EU on Monday added 29 people in Iran to the European bloc's list of those subject to asset freezes and travel bans.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the sanctions were added to address, what he called, Iran's "appalling" human rights record.

The EU, United States and United Nations have already hit Iran with several rounds of sanctions for human rights violations and for pursuing nuclear weapons technology.  Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Also Monday, Iran's semi-official FARS news agency said two filmmakers arrested last month for alleged ties with the BBC's Farsi language service have been released.

It said Naser Safarian and Mohsen Shahnazdar have been freed, but FARS did not report on the other four filmmakers arrested at the same time last month.

Iran accused the filmmakers of working with the BBC on material damaging to Iran's image.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

You May Like

Video Star Trek Influence Lives Long and Prospers

As new movie thrills, many are once again discussing the iconic franchise's influence on society, science and technology More

OECD: Developing Green Cities Key to Sustainable Future

OECD suggests strategies to mitigate rapid growth, industrialization in urban centers, which produce about two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions More

Video Safe Rooms Saved Lives in Tornado Disaster

Safety experts say more safe rooms are needed in areas where tornadoes frequently strike More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video Volunteers Help Revive LA's Concrete River

The Los Angeles River is a concrete drainage channel through much of its 80-kilometer length. It channels waste-water from storm drains and has become a receptacle for much of the city's trash. But as Mike O'Sullivan reports, the river is slowly being restored with the help of volunteers, who take part in an annual clean-up.