EU foreign ministers have imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on the UK-born wife of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and other family members, diplomats say. Asma al-Assad is among 12 people added to the sanctions list, which already includes her husband. The ban cannot stop her from travelling to the UK, British officials say. Anti-government activists accuse the regime of killing thousands of protesters over the past year. In recent weeks, the Damascus government has stepped up its efforts to crush pockets of rebellion in cities including Homs and Hama. Every day, activists report dozens of deaths and more protests. Mr Assad has promised political reform, but observers and his opponents have dismissed his plans as window-dressing. The BBC's Chris Morris in Brussels says for years there was a perception that Mrs Assad's Western upbringing could encourage reform in Syria. The 36-year-old, who is of Syrian descent but spent much of her life in west London, has generally played a low-key role in the regime. However, in February she wrote to Britain's Times newspaper to explain why she thought her husband was still the right man to lead Syria. Other members of Mr Assad's family have also been added to the sanctions list. The AFP news agency says these include Mr Assad's mother, sister and sister-in-law. The EU already has extensive sanctions in place against Syria. These include a ban on arms sales and imports of Syrian oil. Last week activists released some 3,000 emails they said were from private accounts belonging to Mr Assad and his wife. The messages, which have not been independently verified, suggested Mrs Assad continued to shop online for luxury goods even after the uprising was in full swing. The UN says at least 8,000 people have died since the uprising against Mr Assad's regime began last March. The president and his allies say terrorist and armed gangs are behind the violence, and say hundreds of security personnel have been killed fighting them.