http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/eudn/2012/168

Council Decision 2012/168/CFSP

of 23 March 2012

amending Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

On 12 April 2011, the Council adopted Decision 2011/235/CFSP1.

(2)

On the basis of a review of Decision 2011/235/CFSP, the restrictive measures should be renewed until 13 April 2013.

(3)

Furthermore, in view of the gravity of the human rights situation in Iran, additional persons should be included in the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP.

(4)

In this context, it is should be noted that, in line with recital (4) of Decision 2011/235/CFSP, the persons targeted by the restrictive measures may also include members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Basij and Ansar-e-Hezbollah.

(5)

In addition, the sale, supply, transfer or export of equipment or software intended primarily for use in the monitoring or interception by the Iranian regime of the Internet and of telephone communications on mobile or fixed networks in Iran should be prohibited.

(6)

Furthermore, in consideration of its objectives, the prohibition on the supply, sale or transfer of equipment which might be used for internal repression should be included in Decision 2011/235/CFSP. At the same time, Decision 2010/413/CFSP of 26 July 2010 concerning restrictive measures directed against Iran2 is to be amended so that it no longer includes that prohibition.

(7)

Decision 2011/235/CFSP should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: