EU to impose new sanctions against IranApril 12, 2011 - 20:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European Union foreign ministers are set to approve a further round of sanctions against Iran in reaction to continued human rights abuses, Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague said. The EU is already applying sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to open its nuclear program to international supervision. But Hague said “restrictive measures” would also be decided with regard to 32 Iranian officials. “The European Union is agreeing today on restrictive measures on 32 individuals we believe are responsible and instrumental to human rights violations,” Hague told reporters before meeting EU counterparts in Luxembourg. According to monstersandcritics.com, Hague said Iran was being targeted for “the imprisonment of opposition leaders, the detention of more journalists than any other country in the world, the excessive use of the death penalty, often on vague charges.” EU foreign ministers would also renew sanctions against the military regime in Burma, another country which has long been accused of human rights violations, Hague said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |