UN Sanctions Sought on Syria

Seeking to ramp up condemnation of Syria beyond mere words, the European Union, with the support of the United States, has introduced draft resolution to the UN Security Council for a total arms embargo, requiring all sea and air cargo entering and leaving Syria to be inspected, reports the Wall Street Journal. The legislation would also freeze the assets of 24 Syrian officials and four companies, as well as revoke the travel privileges of 22 officials.

In addition, the legislation would allege that government officials may have committed crimes against humanity, although it falls short of referring the case to the International Criminal Court. The US and EU already have sanctions in place against Syria, but a UN resolution would make those penalties universal. But these proposed sanctions are still far from being enacted—previous attempts have failed because of the threat of a veto by Russia, which is one of Syria's top arms suppliers. And Russian officials indicated they are still not prepared to back such penalties now. (More Syria stories.)