What changed

B100226/2025

B100220/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the execution spree in Iran and confirmation of the death sentences of activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani

(2025/2628(RSP))

– having regard to itsRules previous144 resolutionsof onits Iran,Rules of Procedure,

having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas according to Iran Human Rights, at least 975 people were executed in Iran in 2024, the highest number in more than two decades, marking a 17% increase from the 834 executions recorded in 2023; whereas at least 95 people have already been executed as of mid-March 2025;

Whereas the human rights situation in Iran is worsening as women, children, and ethnic and religious minorities, such as Christians, Kurds, and Baluch, face systemic oppression, including poverty, forced labour, child marriage, and lack of education; whereas the total number of executions in Iran surpassed 900 in 2024 and whereas the number of executions in 2025 reportedly exceeds 250 so far;

B. whereas Behrouz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, 48, are at imminent risk of execution like dozens of other political prisoners in Iran sentenced on vaguely defined national security charges;

whereas Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani were arrested in 2022 and transferred to Evin Prison, where they reportedly endured physical and psychological torture; whereas Ehsani and Hassani were charged with rebellion and corruption offenses, which are widely regarded as being politically motivated charges;

C. whereas on 15 September 2024 the two dissidents were sentenced on charges of “armed rebellion against the state”, “enmity against God” and “corruption on earth” allegedly supporting the PMOI and were tried in a grossly unfair five-minute trial where they were not allowed to speak; whereas Ehsani and Hassani state that they were tortured in detention;

whereas on 16 September 2024, Ehsani and Hassani were sentenced to death; whereas Iran’s Supreme Court upheld their death sentences on 7 January 2025 and rejected their appeal on 24 February 2025;

1. Firmly condemns the surge in executions by the Iranian regimes, used to spread fear and punish people for dissent;

Whereas dozens of other Iranians are facing death penalty;

2. Calls the Iranian government to promptly revoke the death sentence for Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, and all others facing the death penalty for political activism, annul their convictions and sentences, immediately release all political prisoners and review their cases in line with international human rights law;

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3. Demands Iranian authorities to grant Ehsani and Hassani access to their families, independently lawyers of their choice, and to adequate medical assistance;

Is deeply concerned by the politically motivated charges against Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani; urges the Iranian authorities to immediately revoke the death sentence against them and all others on death row, to investigate allegations of torture and denial of fair trial rights;

4. Urges Iran to stop using the death penalty, halt executions and release and retrial persons threatened with execution in a due process, particularly for charges that under international law never result in capital punishment; calls on Iranian authorities to place an immediate moratorium on the use of death penalty, especially against human rights defenders and to respect their international obligations under the ICCPR;

Strongly condemns the increasing and systematic repression of ethnic and religious minorities, women and dissidents in Iran through laws and regulations that severely restrict their freedoms and rights; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of individuals detained on account of their religion or belief, or in relation to the defence of human rights;

5. Reiterates its call on Iran to provide the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and the UN Fact-Finding Mission with full, unimpeded access to the country; calls on the EU and Member States to fully support the mission and the renewal of its mandate;

Reiterates its calls on Iran to halt all executions that are in disregard to international law requirements;

6. Supports the HR/VP and Member States in denouncing the Iranian authorities’ use of the death penalty and communicating to Iranian officials that ending systematic impunity in Iran remains an EU priority;

Reiterates its7. callCalls on the Council to designatecontinue theidentifying Islamicand Revolutionarysanctioning Guardperpetrators Corpsresponsible afor terroristserious organisationhuman andrights toviolations; extendreiterates EUits sanctionscall to alladd thosethe responsibleIRGC forto humanthe rightsEU violationslist of terrorist organisations;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Parliament and Government of Iran.

8. Urges Member States to launch criminal investigations into Iranian officials responsible for grave human rights violations, particularly under universal jurisdiction;

9. Encourages the Commission to expand technical and financial assistance for Iranian civil society, including for implementing organisations;

10. Calls on Member States to facilitate visas, asylum and emergency grants for those who need to flee Iran;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, HRVP, the Member States, and Iran.