Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) applauded the decision by the Obama Administration to impose sanctions against Syrian President Bashar Assad and six other Syrian officials, freezing assets that fall under U.S. jurisdiction and, for the most part, bar American individuals and companies from doing business with the Syrian officials.  The sanctions came as a result of Syria’s human rights abuses during its violent crackdown on anti-government protests in which an estimated 850 killed and another 8,000 arrested by their own government. 

Rep. Engel, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003, which mandates sanctions against Syria for its threatening activities.

“Syria is not only hosting the world's worst terrorist groups and developing weapons of mass destruction, now it's murdering its own people.  It's long past time to impose the full range of sanctions on Syria and to work with our allies to tighten the screws on the Assad regime.  President Obama's resolution which slammed Syria in the U.N. Human Rights Council was an excellent first step, and these sanctions are an appropriate way to increase the pressure,” said Rep. Engel.  “The next step should be to impose all remaining sanctions under the Syria Accountability Act.”                                                                                    

“Earlier this month, I wrote a letter to the President, along with Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) urging tighter pressure on Syria.  Eventually, I would like the U.S. to pursue sanctions in the United Nations Security Council similar to what was imposed upon Iran.  Today, the danger posed by Syria is continuing to grow as it expands its relations with Iran and murders its own people.  It is time to continue strengthening our sanctions and our overall policy, and I urge the international community to follow suit,” added Rep. Engel.

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