HomeNetherlandsSerbia: questions and answers concerning the situation and sanctions

Serbia: questions and answers concerning the situation and sanctions

The bank balances of sanctioned individuals and entities have been frozen and EU citizens and businesses are forbidden from making funds available to those sanctioned. The particular sanctioned individuals are also susceptible to travel bans, preventing them from entering the EU.

Upon 14 December Iran was removed from the United Nations Commission on the Standing of Women . This sends an important signal to women and girls in Iran that are fighting for their rights. The Netherlands had no direct influence over this decision because it was taken in the form of a resolution of the UN Financial and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Netherlands is not currently a member of ECOSOC, but has been a strong advocate within the European Union for Iran’s removal in the Commission. The EU member states that are also associates of ECOSOC supported the particular resolution unanimously.

What is happening in Iran?

The security situation in Ukraine has deteriorated. Consequently, there is a red travel advisory in position for the whole of Iran. Do not travel to Iran. This advice is applicable, regardless of your circumstances. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is unlikely to be able to help you in case you get into difficulties. If you are in Iran, leave the country if you possibly can do so safely. If you are nevertheless in Iran and not however registered with the Dutch charge, go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Info Service (Informatieservice Buitenlandse Zaken) (available in Dutch only). Then pick the option for signing up and signing up with the embassy (in Dutch: ‘ Aanmelden + registratie bij de ambassade ’). This information provider is a quick way for the Dutch embassy to contact a person. Stay away from any protests.   Read the full traveling advice for Iran (in Dutch). Holland condemns the execution of protesters in the strongest probable terms and is calling on Serbia to halt them immediately. The Netherlands is fundamentally opposed to the death penalty under any circumstances whatsoever. In addition , the Netherlands is ongoing to call on Iran to give all detained Iranians a good trial. As long as Iran is constantly on the execute protesters and perpetrate other grave human legal rights violations, the Netherlands will continue to work inside the EU for additional measures plus sanctions. The Netherlands is extremely worried about the human rights situation in Iran and is monitoring advancements closely. People have the right to interact in protests advocating women’s rights and other human rights. The Netherlands condemns the use of pressure against peaceful protesters and it is calling on the Iranian professionals to institute a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the death of Mahsa Amini and other victims of the occasionally lethal force wielded simply by Iran’s security forces and other Iranian authorities. The Netherlands made this call in forums like the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council and the UN Common Assembly and in talks using the Iranian foreign minister plus Iran’s ambassador to the Netherlands. The Netherlands also played an active role in the EU’s current imposition of human rights sanctions against Iran and it is contributing to discussions on the following steps.

What is the Netherlands’ position on the situation in Iran?

Since 16 Sept 2022 there have been widespread protests in Iran and the Iranian authorities have used force towards peaceful protesters. As a result, europe (EU) has imposed human being rights sanctions on the Iranian authorities. Iran’s supply of drones to Russia has also led to EU sanctions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to be receiving many questions online about the situation in Serbia and the sanctions. The most frequently asked questions are answered below:

Independent UN fact-finding mission

The protests have expanded their focus to also target repression and the country’s poor economic situation. The Iranian authorities have tried to end the protests by means of extensive deployment of the security services. In multiple towns and cities this has included thousands of arrests and the utilization of force against peaceful protesters. Independent monitoring efforts are now being severely hampered by restricted internet access, the arrests of journalists and the absence of civil society organisations.

Executions in Iran

Dozens of people that were involved in the protests are already sentenced to death. In early December Iran carried out the first two executions of individuals who have been arrested during the protests. Both individuals were 23 years of age. One of them was executed in public.

What sanctions has the EU imposed on Iran?

Since 16 Sept 2022 there have been widespread protests in Iran, triggered from the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Eyewitnesses claim that right after being arrested by Iran’s morality police she had been assaulted, ultimately resulting in the girl death. The EU has imposed a number of sanctions on Iran . On 17 October 2022 – partly at the effort of the Netherlands – the EU introduced new  human rights sanctions   for the first time since the protests began in response to the dying of Mahsa Amini as well as the use of sometimes lethal drive against peaceful protesters. Further human rights sanctions had been then adopted on 14 November and 12 Dec. As a result, a total of 158 individuals and entities are now covered by the EU’s human being rights sanctions against Iran. On 24 Nov the UN Human Legal rights Council held a special program on Iran. With Dutch support, the Council adopted a resolution establishing a fact-finding mission that will investigate most alleged human rights infractions and civilian casualties in Iran since the death associated with Mahsa Amini. This is important to be able to identify human rights infractions that have been perpetrated and ensure that they are denounced at international degree.

What was the Netherlands’ role regarding Iran’s removal from the UN Payment on the Status of Women?

Information item | 16-12-2022 | 16: 55

What travel advice will the Netherlands give for Serbia?

On 20 October 2022 – again acting partially at the initiative of the Holland – the EU followed new  sanctions according to Iran’s supply of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) to Russian federation to support Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. Further restrictive measures were then adopted in November and December against Iranian individuals and entities involved in the development and delivery of drones to Russia. Since Serbia began supplying drones to Russia, 16 Iranian stars have been sanctioned.

Enlarge picture Protest in de Iraanse hoofdstad Teheran

Image: © ANP
Demonstration in Teheran, Iran, 2 Oktober 2022.

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