Systemic oppression, inhumane conditions and arbitrary detentions by the regime in Iran

The European Parliament adopted by 524 votes to 3, with 41 abstentions, a resolution on the systemic oppression, inhumane conditions and arbitrary detentions by the regime in Iran.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA and The Left groups.

The Islamic Republic engages in the systematic oppression of its people through arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial killings, the death penalty, sexual violence, collective punishment and inhumane detention conditions. Estimates of the death toll during the recent protests range from several thousand to over 35 000, including women, children and elderly people with EU citizens being among the victims.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plays a central role in the repression, operating with impunity. In this regard, the EU has designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.

Parliament expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and reaffirmed that they are the sole legitimate source of sovereignty in Iran. They have the right to live without Islamist coercion. Members condemned the oppression of women and called for the immediate release of all women in detention, especially Nobel Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.

Members deplored the regime’s systematic use of arbitrary detention, torture, extrajudicial killings and the death penalty as instruments of repression. They called for:

- the immediate abolition of the death penalty;

- the end to all violence against civilians and executions;

- the release of all persons in arbitrary detention, including foreign and dual nationals, minorities and communities, including Kurds, Baluchis, Ahwazi Arabs, Baha’is and Christians among others.

The resolution also called for these atrocities to be independently documented by UN bodies and for evidence to be preserved for future prosecutions, stressing the need for accountability through international judicial mechanisms.

The Council and the Member State are urged to:

- expand targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, against those responsible for the abuses;

- provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people facing a serious risk to life, and to support solutions to restore internet access;

- develop a counter-strategy to assist detainees’ families and prevent further hostage-taking.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading