OTTAWA — Canada has announced sanctions against 27 high-ranking officials in the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says in a statement that those people are now subject to an asset freeze and dealings prohibition. Freeland says adding their names to the sanctions list is part of international pressure on the Assad regime to end indiscriminate violence against its own people, like this month’s chemical weapons attack, and engage in meaningful negotiations. Canada is working with its allies to end the war in Syria and hold those responsible to accountFreeland says the new sanctions against key officials are part of Canada’s continued efforts to pressure the Assad regime to stop the violence against innocent children, women and men. Related“Last week’s chemical weapons attack in southern Idlib is a war crime and is unacceptable,” she said.

Source: National Post April 14, 2017 13:30 UTC