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EU, UK sanction Iran, Taliban entities on International Women's Day

Marking International Women’s Day, the European Union and the British government each decided to sanction individuals and entities for violating human rights, particularly sexual and gender-based violence.
Iranian Women in handmaiden costumes march along Whitehall as a peaceful protest for womens rights on International Womens Day on March 8, 2023 in London, England. Protests continue internationally in solidarity with Iranian women in their struggle for full gender equality and to have the freedom to choose how they want to dress and live their lives without fear, assault or intimidation. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

PARIS — British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced a new package of sanctions against human rights violators Wednesday, targeting those who harm women and girls in Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and other countries. 

The Iranian entity sanctioned by the British government is the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil in Iran, a special government apparatus tasked to enforce "morality standards". Its chief Seyyed Mohammed Saleh Hashemi Golpayegani is responsible for the enforcement of dress codes for women.

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