Condemnation of the repression in the Democratic Republic of Congo is growing louder.

Today, the European Union’s 28 member countries announced strong measures to address the growing political crisis and human rights abuses in Congo.

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council said it will “use all means at its disposal” against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, who promote violence, or who “obstruct a consensual and peaceful solution to the crisis.” The Council called upon the EU’s High Representative to start the process.

Diplomats have told Human Rights Watch that these measures will likely include targeted sanctions, such as travel bans and assets freezes, against senior Congolese officials responsible for the violent crackdown in recent months against activists, opposition leaders, and others who have opposed attempts to extend President Joseph Kabila’s presidency beyond the end of the constitutionally mandated two-term limit, which ends on December 19.

If implemented these measures may help deter further violence, rein in the most abusive units and commanders, and increase pressure on President Kabila to step down at the end of his mandate. The EU should move quickly.

The European Parliament has called repeatedly for the EU to implement targeted sanctions.

Human Rights Watch wrote to EU member countries and High Representative Federica Mogherini, urging the EU to support strong measures “before there are more bodies on the streets and it’s potentially too late to convince President Kabila to change course.”

Targeted sanctions are directed at individuals and are not meant to punish the Congolese population more broadly.

The United States government recently imposed targeted sanctions against three senior security force officers in Congo who have long been implicated in serious abuses.

For the sanctions to have the greatest impact, the UN Security Council should also urgently adopt similar measures.