Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission Vice President announced the extension of restrictive measures against Syrian individuals responsible for and associated with repression. On the 2 of August, the decision has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The extension of restrictive measures against Syria were adopted, according to Catherine Ashton, because the Syrian leadership is unwilling to implement the reforms it has promised in response to the legitimate requests of the Syrian people.

EU Foreign Ministers stated on 18 July that until the unacceptable violence against civilians stops the EU will pursue its current policy, including sanctions against those responsible for or associated with the violent repression. Since then mass arrests, violence and the killing of civilians have continued and even escalated, thus, the EU decided to extend the restrictive measures.

The measures published on 2 of August in the Official Journal of the European Union are in the form of an assets freeze and travel ban on five Syrian individuals involved in or associated with the violent repression. The EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy urged the Syrian Government to address the EU's repeated calls for freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, to release all political prisoners without further delay and institute a genuine and inclusive national dialogue.