Switzerland says it is extending sanctions against Syria to include President Bashar al-Assad and other senior officials, in a move that follows the European Union.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch and agencies
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said on Tuesday evening that it would add Assad and nine other senior members of the Syrian government to a list of those banned from travelling to Switzerland and subject to asset freezes.
The measures will take effect from May 25, Seco was quoted as saying on news agencies. The EU extended its sanctions on Monday.
Syria has already denounced the European move against its president, saying the measures would “harm the Syrian people”.
Last week Switzerland took its cue from the EU in imposing travel bans and asset freezes against 13 members of the Syrian regime.
Switzerland has blocked assets of the former Tunisian and Egyptian leaders and their entourages as well as those of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and his family.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Syrian protests spark fear of destabilisation
This content was published on
Lorenzo Suarez, a Swiss who returned from Syria last month after three and a half years in the country, tells swissinfo.ch there are fears that a weakening of the regime could destabilise the entire region. Violence against protestors is only fuelling the demonstrations, he says, and there is concern inter-community clashes could break out. At…
This content was published on
Walter Haffner also tells swissinfo.ch that the agreement aimed at uniting the main Palestinian factions is a positive development. The interview was conducted on the sidelines of the regional conference of Swiss ambassadors that took place in Tunis from May 1 to 3. swissinfo.ch: What impact has the reconciliation pact signed between Fatah and Hamas…
This content was published on
Despite bloody crackdowns, pledges of reform and attempts to appease minority Kurds and conservative Sunnis, calls for more freedoms have yet to abate. Indeed, protests are taking place across the entire country, according to a Swiss-based Syrian. On Wednesday thousands of women and children holding white flags and olive branches blocked a main southern coastal…
This content was published on
Renowned Swiss-Lebanese cartoonist Patrick Chappatte is presenting a new animated documentary at the 2011 Visions du Réel film festival in Nyon. “Death in the Fields” describes the impact of cluster munitions in Lebanon, which Chappatte witnessed during travels in the country in 2009. Chappatte is known for his political cartoons for leading international and Swiss…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.