On International Women’s Day, the U.S. imposes sanctions for serious human rights abuses in Iran.

On International Women’s Day, the U.S. imposes sanctions for serious human rights abuses in Iran.

09.03.2023

Fabiana Alves Castro

Women’s Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

This Wednesday, marked as International Women’s Day, the United States imposed new sanctions on the Iranian regime officials and entities, for serious human rights abuses. According to the Department of the Treasury, women prisoners in Iran are subjected to sexual violence, torture, and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment. (U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2023)

The sanctions imposed by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) reach diverse actors involved in such offenses. It includes “two senior officials in Iran’s prison system who have been responsible for serious human rights abuses against women and girls”, the top commander of the Iranian army, a high-ranking leader in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an Iranian official who was central to the regime’s efforts to block internet access, as well as three Iranian companies and their leadership for enabling the violent repression of peaceful protestors. (U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2023) It is identified that this move “freezes any US assets of those targeted and generally bars Americans from dealing with them”. (Iran International, 2023)

The Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence expressed support for women in Iran, condemned the human rights abuses, and stated “we will continue to take action against the regime, which perpetuates abuse and violence against its own citizens—especially women and girls.” (U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2023)

Since the emergence of protests after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, this represents the 10th round of sanctions targeting Iran. (Iran International, 2023) These actions were taken in coordination with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Australia, “demonstrating a unified commitment to holding the Iranian regime to account for denying the women and girls of Iran their human rights and dignity.” (U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2023)

Sources and further reading:

Associated Press. (2023, March 8). US Sanctions Iranian Officials Over Women's Right Abuses. U.S. News. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/us-sanctions-iranian-officials-over-womens-right-abuses

Fossum, S. (2023, March 8). US sanctions top Iranian officials over ‘serious’ human rights abuses against women and girls in prisons. CNN. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/08/politics/us-sanctions-iran-human-rights-abuses 

Iran International. (2023, March 8). US Targets Iranian Officials With New Sanctions On Women’s Day. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.iranintl.com/en/202303081422 

Reuters. (2023, March 8). US Targets Iranian Officials, Companies in Fresh Sanctions. VOA News. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.voanews.com/a/us-targets-iranian-officials-companies-in-fresh-sanctions/6996311.html 

U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2023, March 8). Marking International Women’s Day, Treasury Sanctions Iranian Officials and Entities for Serious Human Rights Abuses. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1327