Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2022/2234 of 14 November 2022 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran
Date: 2022-11-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU restrictive measure, Iran, economic sanctions, international sanctions, natural person








LI2022293EN.01004301.xml










14.11.2022   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


LI 293/43








            COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2022/2234
of 14 November 2022
         
implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 31(2) thereof,


Having regard to Council Decision 2011/235/CFSP of 12 April 2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran (1), and in particular Article 3(1) thereof,


Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:







(1)


On 12 April 2011, the Council adopted Decision 2011/235/CFSP.












(2)


On 25 September 2022, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a declaration on behalf of the Union deploring the widespread and disproportionate use of force by the Iranian security forces against nonviolent protestors, which led to high numbers of deaths and injuries. The declaration also stated that those responsible for the killing of Mahsa Amini must be held accountable and called on the Iranian authorities to ensure transparent and credible investigations to clarify the number of deaths and persons arrested, to release all non-violent protestors and to provide due process to all detainees. Furthermore, the declaration stressed that Iran’s decision to severely restrict internet access and block instant messaging platforms blatantly violates freedom of expression. Finally, the declaration stated that the Union will consider all the options at its disposal to address the killing of Mahsa Amini and the way Iranian security forces have responded to the ensuing demonstrations.












(3)


On 17 October 2022, the Council adopted Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2022/1956 (2), including eleven persons and four entities in the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures in the Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP for their involvement in serious human rights violations in Iran.












(4)


In that context, and in line with the Union’s commitment to address all issues of concern with Iran, including the human rights situation, one person should be included in the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures in the Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP.












(5)


The Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
The Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.


Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




Done at Brussels, 14 November 2022.


For the Council


The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES
            





(1)  
            OJ L 100, 14.4.2011, p. 51.

(2)  Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2022/1956 of 17 October 2022 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran (OJ L 269 I, 17.10.2022, p. 9).




ANNEX
The following person is added to the list of persons and entities set out in the Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP:
Persons










 


Name


Identifying information


Reasons


Date of listing




‘107.


VAHIDI Ahmad
وحیدی احمد


POB: Shiraz (Iran)
DOB: 27 July 1958
Nationality: Iranian
Gender: male
Position: Minister of Interior


Ahmad Vahidi has been the Iranian Minister of Interior since 25 August 2021. As such, he is responsible for Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF).
Since he took office, an unprecedented number of military and security officials have been appointed to provincial governorships who play key roles in coordinating crowd-control activities by police special forces, the Basij militia and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Blatant and severe human rights violations by the LEF, such as the indiscriminate shooting with live ammunition at peaceful protesters, including children, have been widely documented since protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini started in mid-September 2022. Over 70 protesters died and hundreds were seriously injured, including children. Since the beginning of the demonstrations, police forces have also arbitrarily detained numerous human rights defenders and journalists. Vahidi has also publicly advocated for a harsh approach towards persons participating in the demonstrations.
He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.


14.11.2022’