Int’l Women’s Day: UK sanctions 4 nations for crimes against women
TCN Service/London
To mark its commitment to ensure gender parity globally, United Kingdom on International Women’s Day announced slew of sanctions on four nations for alleged state sponsored crime against the fairer sex.
Announcing the new package of sanctions aimed at human rights violators particularly against women and girls, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said it includes four individuals and one entity involved in grievous activities.
“The package includes military figures who have overseen rape and other forms of gender-based violence in conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
It also sanctions government institutions in Iran responsible for enforcing mandatory dress codes for women in Iran with unreasonable force,” he said.
The tough sanctions were announced after the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office earlier launched a new strategy which aims to tackle increasing threats to gender equality, from conflict to humanitarian crises to climate change.
“Promoting gender equality brings freedom, boosts prosperity and trade, and strengthens the security of us all. However, hard-won gains on gender equality are under increasing threat. These sanctions send a clear message that the perpetrators of abhorrent gender-based violence must be held accountable.
We are increasing our efforts to stand up for women and girls, and will use all the tools at our disposal to tackle the inequalities which remain,” he added.
Those sanctioned includes Major General James Nando (South Sudan), Mahamat Salleh Adoum Kette (Central Africa Repulic), Amjad Youssef (Syria) and the Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil in Iran, and its head official Seyyed Mohammed Saleh Hashemi Golpayegani.
