DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday she backed listing Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation to respond to the “trampling” of fundamental human rights” in the country.
“The reaction of Iran regime is atrocious and horrible and they are trampling over fundamental human rights,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.
“We are looking indeed at a new round of sanctions and i would support also listing the Revolutionary Guards. I have heard several ministers asking for that and I think they are right,” she said.
Widespread anti-government demonstrations erupted in Iran in September after the death of young Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by morality police for allegedly flouting the strict dress code imposed on women.
Iranian leaders vowed tough action against protesters they have described as rioters, accusing enemies including the United States of fomenting the unrest.
(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
