The European Union imposed sanctions Monday on Syria’s president, Bashar Assad, because of the continuing violence against anti-government protesters in which more than 900 people are reported to have been killed.
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After convening in Brussels, the EU foreign ministers announced they were freezing the assets of Assad and nine other members of his government, and placing a visa ban on them as well, the Associated Press reported Monday.
Earlier this month, the EU announced sanctions against 13 people with links to the Damascus regime, but the list did not include Assad. A European official said at the time that the this was part of a “deliberately gradual” approach, AP said.
However, the Syrian regime failed to take the EU’s hint and killing of anti-government protesters has continued. Syrian forces opened fire on a funeral procession for anti-government protesters Saturday, killing more of its citizens.
EU foreign ministers also issued a statement that says "the EU condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing repression in Syria and the unacceptable violence used by the military and security forces against peaceful protesters."
The statement calls on Assad to grant access to an urgent mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, expresses concern at mass arrests and torture and calls for the release of all political prisoners.