News Release

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**January 25, 2012 -** Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced new sanctions against Syria’s Assad regime in concert with like-minded countries:

“We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to isolate this reprehensible regime.

“Assad and those supporting him must get the message that peace-loving nations of the world are working together to end the regime’s oppressive rule.

“These latest measures include an assets freeze on, and a prohibition on dealings with, 29 additional individuals and entities associated with the Assad regime.

“We are also providing for new exemptions to minimize the impact on ordinary citizens.

“We welcome the Arab League observers’ report and the League’s proposal to have Assad move aside, paving the way for free elections; the League’s actions are all the more important given the inability, to this point, of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to address the crisis in Syria.

“We strongly support Arab League efforts to achieve a peaceful transition of power, and we urge the UNSC to back this effort.

“We remain committed to working with our international partners to bring pressure to bear on the Assad regime.

“Sanctions imposed by like-minded partners, including the United States, the European Union and the Arab League, are having an impact by isolating the regime.

“Canada stands with the Syrian people in their efforts to secure for themselves a brighter future. We look forward to a new Syria that respects the rights of its people and lives in peace with its neighbours.”

From December 15, 2011, to January 14, 2012, Canada implemented a voluntary evacuation of its citizens in Syria and expedited efforts to help them leave the country as soon as possible. Canada continues to urge all Canadians in Syria to leave immediately, while commercial means are still available.

For more information, please visit [Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations](http://www.international.gc.ca/sanctions/syria_developments-developpements_syrie2.aspx?view=d).