The European Union, for the first time in history, will be able to apply sanctions autonomously to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda jihadist groups, as well as persons and entities associated with or supporting them. Until now, sanctions could only be applied to persons and entities listed by the United Nations or by EU member states. <br/><br/>Sanctions, agreed by the European Council on Tuesday, include travel bans and asset freezing. Individuals and entities involved in any activity or support with Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda can be targeted, even if they are not on United Nations blacklists. In a separate area of the new law, serious abuses of human rights, such as abduction and rape, are also listed.