What changed

B90102/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rules 144(5) andRule 132(4)144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas over 800 individuals were executed in Iran in 2023, the highest figure since 2015, and over 500 protesters were killed as part of the ongoing suppression of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement; whereas minorities are disproportionately affected;

A. Whereas on 23 January 2024, 23-year-old protester Mohammad Ghobadlou was executed in Iran; whereas Ghobadlou was arrested during the “Woman Life Freedom” uprising in September 2022, accused of killing an Iranian official; whereas Ghobadlou was charged with “corruption on earth”, following a reportedly unfair trial marred by torture allegations; whereas appeals to take into account his mental condition were rejected;

B. whereas the appeal by Mohammad Ghobadlou, a 23-year-old with intellectual disabilities, against his death sentence was rejected on 23 January 2024 and he was executed; whereas his unfair trial was marred by torture allegations and secrecy;

B. Whereas Iranian authorities have recently escalated executions at an alarming rate; whereas the death penalty is disproportionately used against members of minorities and protesters, and minors are also executed;

C. whereas the UNHRC reported that at least 54 people were executed in January 2024; whereas, according to Human Rights Watch, at least 11 prisoners, including Anwar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh and Khosrow Basharat, are currently at risk of imminent execution;

C. Whereas the death penalty is frequently imposed based on forced confessions extracted through torture and ill-treatment and after unfair trials;

D. whereas Iran routinely uses hostage diplomacy as a foreign policy tool;

1. Condemns the execution of Ghobadlou and the sharp spike in the use of the death penalty in Iran; strongly advocates for the abolition of the death penalty globally;

1. Strongly condemns the executions of peaceful demonstrators in Iran, including that of Mohammad Ghobadlou; urges Iran to commute all death sentences and completely abolish the death penalty; reiterates its firm opposition to the death penalty at all times under all circumstances; fully supports the abolition campaign launched by imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi; reiterates its continued support for Iran’s ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement;

2. Joins UN experts’ call urging Iran to respect international law and stop horrific executions of protesters;

2. Calls for the unconditional and immediate release of everyone arbitrarily on death row and all prisoners of conscience, including EU nationals, notably Ahmadreza Djalali and Johan Floderus;

3. Condemns the use of the death penalty as a tool of repression following the “Woman Life Freedom” uprising to crush dissent and terrorize the population; calls on Iran to immediately halt further executions of all individuals sentenced to death, including European citizens; reminds the Iranian authorities of their obligations under international law to prohibit death sentences against minors;

3. Calls for a new and bold EU strategy on Iran, including countering its hostage diplomacy;

4. Strongly supports the campaign to abolish the death penalty launched by imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi and other women political prisoners;

4. Reiterates its unwavering call on the Council to designate the IRGC a terrorist organisation and impose further EU sanctions on officials and entities involved in serious human rights violations, including the Supreme Leader, the President and the Prosecutor-General;

5. Strongly condemns the use of torture and other ill-treatment against defendants, including sexual violence; recalls that confessions obtained under duress must not be invoked as evidence in any proceedings;

5. Reiterates its condemnation of Iran’s brutal repression of peaceful protesters, in particular women and minorities; calls for an impartial, independent and transparent investigation into allegations of human rights violations against protesters;

6. Condemns the lack of fair trials;

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7. Urges the Member States to monitor trials and organise visits to prisons where prisoners of conscience are detained, including EU nationals, in line with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders;

8. Supports the extension and renewal of the mandates of the UN Fact Finding Mission on Iran and of the Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran; calls on Iran to cooperate with them, including by allowing them to enter the country and granting them access to capital trials;

8. Calls on the Member States to initiate criminal investigations into officials responsible for serious human rights violations, including under universal jurisdiction;

9. Calls on the EU and its Member States to ensure that those fleeing persecution and human rights violations in Iran, including women and girls, have safe and legal pathways to the EU as well as access to fair and effective asylum procedures; calls on the EU and its Member states to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers who are survivors of torture, including of sexual violence, receive the medical and psychological treatment and social support necessary for their rehabilitation;

9. Urges the Commission to increase technical and budgetary support for a strong and independent Iranian civil society; calls on the Member States to facilitate visas, asylum and emergency grants for those who need to flee Iran;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the authorities of Iran, the EU Member States, the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the EEAS and the UN.

10. Calls on the Member States to support the renewal of the mandates of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR and the Iranian authorities.