Canada on Friday tightened its sanctions on Syria, targeting luxury goods believed to be coveted by President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, as well as oil exports and Syrian airwaves.

“The ongoing, appalling violence perpetrated by the Assad regime against the people of Syria compels Canada to further isolate the regime and its backers,” Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in a statement.

The additional measures prohibit the export of jewelry, gems, precious metals, watches, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, perfume, designer clothing and accessories, furs, sporting goods, private aircraft, gourmet foods, lobster, computers, televisions and other electronic devices to Syria.

As well, Ottawa imposed sanctions against Syria’s state-run radio and television, General Organization of Tobacco, petroleum exporter Altoun Group, and against three individuals associated with the Assad regime.

Under Canada’s eighth round of Syria sanctions, those cited will be subject to an asset freeze and a prohibition on economic dealings.

Clashes across Syria continue despite an April 12 truce brokered by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.

More than 12,000 people, the majority of them civilians, have died since the Syrian uprising against Assad began in March 2011, including more than 900 killed since the putative truce came into effect, rights activists say.

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/canada-tightens-syria-sanctions-targets-luxury-goods-215714926.html

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