European Parliament condemns violence by Iranian regime, urges expanded sanctions
In a vote on February 12, members of the European Parliament condemned the violence by the Iranian regime against its own population, particularly targeting civil society actors, protesters, women, minorities and communities, and called for expanding of targeted sanctions
The resolution was adopted by 524 votes in favour, three against and 41 abstentions.
MEPs denounced the oppression of women and call for the immediate release of women in detention, especially Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
The European Parliament voiced concern at reports estimating that the death toll from the recent protests may amount to approximately 35 000 victims and warns that the documented acts meet the threshold for crimes against humanity.
MEPs want these atrocities to be independently documented by UN bodies and for evidence to be preserved for future prosecutions, emphasising the need for accountability through international judicial mechanisms.
The resolution calls for the immediate end of all violence and repression against civilians, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture and urges the authorities to cease their harassment and prosecution of doctors and healthcare workers who provide treatment to injured protestors.
MEPs reaffirmed their solidarity with the Iranian people and underline that they are the sole legitimate source of sovereignty in Iran.
They called on the Council of the EU and the European Commission to expand targeted sanctions.
They urged the EU and its member states to develop a counter-strategy to support detainees’ families and to prevent the Iranian regime’s deliberate use of hostage diplomacy.
The resolution recalls that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designated by the EU as a terrorist organisation, is playing a central role in the repression.
