09/12/2021 (Agence Europe) – The Council of the EU decided, on Thursday 9 December, without debate, to extend by one year, until 12 December 2022, the targeted sanctions in force against several personalities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The assets freeze and a ban on entry into the European Union for 10 persons were maintained. The EU Council considers that these measures, imposed for the first time in 2016, in particular because of human rights violations, remain useful in the fight against impunity and in preventing further human rights violations. In this regard, the EU is particularly concerned by UN reports which highlight an increase in hate speech and messages in public spaces and on social media calling for violence, discrimination and hostility, often directed against ethnic groups or public figures. (AN)