Australia has sanctioned human rights abusers in Iran, including state police and media.
The sanctions come on the eve of the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, who died after being detained by Iran’s so-called morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly.
Those sanctioned include the spokesperson for the Law Enforcement Forces, involved in cracking down on women who defy the nation’s veiling laws, and the head of the nation’s cyber police who censored widespread protests.
Two Iran Broadcasting reporters have also been sanctioned as have a web-hosting service and a satellite channel sponsored by Iranian state media.
The 22-year-old Ms Amini’s death sparked outrage against the brutal autocratic regime when she was killed in September 2022.
The regime then drew further condemnation for torturing and executing protesters.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia stood in solidarity with the people in Iran and the new sanctions would target those who oppress women and girls.
“While the protests may have subsided, the suffering has not,” she told parliament on Wednesday.
“Women and girls in Iran still face systemic persecution, sexist discrimination continues to be entrenched in Iranian law and in practice.”
Senator Wong said Tehran needed to prosecute those responsible for Ms Amini’s death instead of clinging to claims she died of natural causes.
Read the article by Dominic Gianinni in The Canberra Times.