EU tightens sanctions on Guinea junta

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union toughened its sanctions Tuesday against the junta in Guinea, introducing an assets freeze and an export ban on equipment that could be used for state repression, diplomats said.

The moves come on top of an arms embargo imposed in October and added fresh names to a European travel-ban, increasing the total of persona non grata from 42 "to around 70" a diplomatic source said.

Junta head Captain Moussa Dadis Camara is "high on the list" he added.

The origin sanctions were introduced in response to "gross violations of human rights, including many deaths, injuries and rape."

A UN inquiry panel ruled on Monday that the killing of government opponents by troops in Guinea in September amounted to "crimes against humanity" and that the west African country's military rulers should be held responsible.

"Considering the gravity of the situation in the Republic of Guinea, it is agreed to impose supplementary restrictive measures against members of the national council for democracy and development (CNDD) and those people physically or morally'.. responsible for the violent repression or the political impasse which the country finds itself in," the EU said in a French-language text.

The decision was taken during a meeting of EU environment ministers in Brussels, the last European ministerial meeting before the Christmas break.

The EU nations banned the import to Guinea of all equipment which could be used for internal repression along with all financial and technical assistance to the junta.

The list includes vehicles and protective clothing.

The European ministers also withdrew a fishing deal project, an associated funding.

Camara is currently recovering in hospital in Morocco after shot and wounded in the head on December 3 by an aide.