At the height of the continuing nationwide uprising in Iran, coinciding with intensified bloody repression, executions, and the systematic shutdown of the internet, the European Parliament adopted a forceful resolution, taking an unprecedented stance in support of Iranian protesters.
Passed by an overwhelming majority, the resolution not only reflects the full solidarity of Europe’s elected representatives with the legitimate and courageous protests of the Iranian people, but also explicitly condemns the ruling regime for transforming its methods of repression from “deterrence” to the strategic elimination of dissent.
It accuses the authorities of grave and systematic human rights violations and the commission of serious crimes and calls for the designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
In this document, the European Parliament calls for the immediate halt of executions, the unconditional release of all detainees, accountability for those responsible for the repression, and the conditioning of any future relations with Iran on tangible progress toward democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, a position that sends a clear and unmistakable message to Tehran and the international community that the era of appeasement has come to an end.
It also highlights the Iranian regime’s decades-long pattern of systematic repression, in particular targeting women, human rights activists and political dissidents.
Following is the press release issued by the European Parliament.
European Parliament condemns Iran’s brutal repression of protesters
- Parliament stands in full solidarity with Iran’s protesters
- MEPs demand an end to executions, the release of detainees, and accountability for the regime’s crimes
- Chilling shift in the Iranian regime’s suppression of dissent from deterrence to strategic elimination
- Resolution calls for expansion of EU restrictive measures and for EU ties to be contingent on democracy and rights
In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs express their outrage at the repression and mass murders being perpetrated by the Iranian regime against protesters in Iran.
Parliament unconditionally demands that the Iranian authorities, under the rule of Ali Khamenei, immediately end violence against peaceful protesters, halt all executions, and cease the murder and repression of civilians. Standing in full solidarity with the people of Iran and their brave and legitimate protest movement, it strongly condemns the widespread, intentional and disproportionate use of force by security forces.
Chilling shift of regime’s suppression of dissent from deterrence to strategic elimination
In the resolution adopted by 562 votes in favour, 9 against and 57 abstentions, MEPs express alarm that the murder of thousands of protesters signals a chilling shift in the Iranian regime’s suppression of dissent from deterrence to strategic elimination. MEPs demand the immediate and unconditional release of all protesters, human rights defenders and journalists currently held under arrest.
Parliament calls on the Council to proceed without delay with the full designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the Basij militia and the Quds Force, as terrorist organisations. It demands the expansion and strict enforcement of EU restrictive measures, including asset freezes and visa bans, welcomes the recent US sanctions, and calls for swift EU action against all officials and entities responsible for repression.
The resolution condemns the regime’s efforts to censor protests through internet shutdowns and calls on the EU and its Member States to scale up technical and financial support for censorship circumvention tools and protection against cyber and information manipulation.
UN-mandated fact-finding mission must be given unhindered access
Parliament highlights the Iranian regime’s decades-long pattern of systematic repression, in particular targeting women, human rights activists and political dissidents, and reiterates its call for Iran to grant immediate and unhindered access to the UN-mandated fact-finding mission to address grave crimes under international law, including murder, torture, rape, and enforced disappearances, which are being used to silence dissent.
MEPs call for intensified diplomatic engagement, including an enhanced EU presence, to provide individuals at risk with protection, humanitarian assistance and support. They firmly condemn Iran’s malign activities and interference across the region, stressing that Iran continues to constitute the largest and most substantial threat to the broader region’s security and stability and the most significant obstacle to peace.
Finally, Parliament stresses that any normalisation of relations with Iran can only follow the unconditional release of political prisoners and genuine progress toward democracy and the rule of law, whilst welcoming the decision by its President Roberta Metsola to bar representatives of the Iranian regime from European Parliament premises and urging Member States to follow suit.
