In response to the killing of protesters during the Iranian people’s national uprising, New Zealand placed a number of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and government and judicial officials of the Iranian regime on its sanctions list.
On Wednesday, February 25, New Zealand announced that 40 officials of Iran’s regime who were involved in suppressing protesters have been banned from traveling to the country.
Winston Peters, New Zealand’s foreign minister, said in this regard that witnessing the brutal killing of thousands of protesters in Iran was horrifying.
Australia Sanctions 20 Iranian Officials, Three IRGC Entities Over Protests Crackdown
He added that Iranians have the right to protest peacefully, enjoy freedom of expression, and have access to information. These rights have been violated in a brutal manner.
The new sanctions list includes Esmail Khatib, the Iranian regime’s Minister of Intelligence; Eskandar Momeni, the Interior Minister; Mohammad Movahedi Azad, the Prosecutor General; and a number of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Thus, New Zealand joins the United States, the European Union, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, which have placed punitive measures against the Iranian regime in response to recent developments in Iran on their agenda.
Iran’s destabilizing activities are unacceptable
New Zealand announced that the new sanctions also include three Iranian citizens who have played a role in the Iranian regime’s destructive activities abroad.
New Zealand’s foreign minister further said that Iran’s destabilizing activities are completely outside the framework of acceptable state behavior. Today’s actions send a clear message that those who act with callous disregard for human life have no place here.
Peters added that whenever New Zealand witnesses actions that undermine international law and regional stability, it will continue to act carefully and in coordination with its partners.
Individuals subject to the new sanctions package will not be permitted to enter or transit through New Zealand.
Previously, New Zealand had imposed travel bans in three stages against 55 officials of the Iranian regime over human rights violations in Iran.
The country has also sanctioned 29 Iranian citizens and 19 entities of the Iranian regime for supporting Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine.
Human Rights Watch reported on February 24 that following the nationwide killings on January 8 and 9, officials of the Iranian regime launched a wave of arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, and the broadcasting of forced confessions, and that thousands face the risk of unfair trials and secret executions.
The organization added that the Iranian regime’s Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its intelligence organization, the Ministry of Intelligence, and judicial officials have played a role in the coordinated campaign to suppress the people.
