The European Union extended for one year, until April 13, 2020, the sanctions imposed on more than 80 Iranian entities and individuals to protest against "serious human rights violations" in the country. .
"The Council extended on Monday (April 13) until April 13, 2020 the restrictive measures it has taken following serious violations of human rights in Iran," the European Union said in a statement.
"Restrictive measures prohibit travel and freeze the assets of 82 individuals and entities and prevent EU countries from exporting equipment that can be used for internalression and communications control equipment," the statement said.
These sanctions were imposed in 2011 and were extended annually. It involves high-ranking military, judges, prosecutors, police or intelligence officials, armed forces commanders and prison administrators.
The sanctions were imposed after opposition protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad´s disputed re-election in 2009 were repressed. Scores of people were killed and thousands arrested.
The measures are separate from the harsh economic and individual sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear activities and lifted in January 2016 after an agreement was reached between Tehran and major powers on dismantling the nuclear program.
