The EU added sanctions on 12 more Syrians, including the wife of President Bashar al-Assad, Alma al-Assad, adding pressure on the regime to end the violent crackdown of protesters. The sanctions include a travel ban to all EU member states, except the UK, and the freezing of assets within the EU. Alma al-Assad will continue to be free travel to the UK however, being a British citizen.
The move follows previous EU sanctions on Bashar al-Assad and other senior government officials, as well as an oil embargo, the recalling of ambassadors and sanctions on the central bank.
The EU has pledged to increase santions so long as the human rights violations continue. Earlier this month, the UN Security Council passed a statement of condemnation.
