The EU Tuesday imposed sanctions against officials from six countries, including Afghanistan and Russia, due to their abuse of the rights of and violence against women. In implementing the sanctions, the Official Journal of the EU drew attention to the “serious human rights violations” committed by the newly sanctioned nine persons and three entities.

As a result of the sanctions, the EU has banned the individuals’ visas and frozen their EU assets. Included among the sanctioned individuals is Neda Mohammad Nadeem, an acting Taliban Minister for Higher Education. The EU claimed Nadeem is responsible for banning Afghan women’s access to education, depriving them of their right to education. The list also includes Ivan Ryabov, a Russian police officer, who was  added due to his “detention and torture of female anti-war protestors.” Other sanctioned individuals and entities include people from South Sudan, Iran, Syria and Myanmar.

The Dutch government released a press statement from their Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra regarding the sanctions. Hoekstra said, “By imposing these sanctions, we’re sending a clear message to perpetrators that they won’t get away with their crimes.” Hoekstra also confirmed to victims that the “EU will support you, wherever you are in the world.”

The EU announced the sanctions just one day before International Women’s Day on March 8, “a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.”