On Monday 17 July, the Council of the EU took out sanctions against 16 people for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against Syria's civilian population.
These 16 people include 8 high-ranking military officials and 8 scientists involved in chemical weapons proliferation and delivery, the Council stated in a press release. On 4 April, around 100 people were killed in an attack using sarin gas in Khan Sheikhoun. The legal acts that have been adopted will be published in the Official Journal of the EU on 18 July 2017.
The decision brings to 255 the total number of people targeted by a travel ban and an assets freeze for being responsible for violent repression against the civilian population in Syria, or for benefiting from or supporting the regime, and/or being associated with such people. In addition, 67 entities are targeted by an assets freeze.
The EU's sanctions also include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank held in the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression as well as on equipment and technology for the monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications. These measures were extended on 29 May 2017 and are in place until 1 June 2018. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)