The European Union announced that it would  “swiftly [introduce] restrictive measures targeted against those responsible for grave human rights violations” in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Following its meeting in Brussels on 21 March 2011, the Union’s Council of Ministers noted its “deep concern” about the “dramatic increase” in executions and the “systematic repression” of Iranian citizens, and condemned the continuing use of “torture and other cruel and degrading treatment.”

The EU called upon Iran to abide by its international human rights treaty obligations, and to release all political prisoners and halt executions. The EU said it stood by Iranian individuals and groups dedicated to protecting human rights.

The EU announcement did not indicate which Iranian officials would be subject to sanctions, or what form the sanctions would take.

The EU’s move follows that of the United States government, which imposed financial and travel restrictions on eight Iranian officials based on an Executive Order in September 2010, including Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and one his top deputies, Hossein Taeb. On 24 February 2010, the US further subjected Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, Tehran Prosecutor General, and Mohammad Reza Naqdi, Basij Commander, to sanctions.