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

B100128/2026

European Parliament resolution on Systemic oppression, inhumane conditions, and arbitrary detentions by the regime in Iran

(2026/2612(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,

- having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas, after weeks of uncertainty and restrictions on access to information, including full internet ban, the magnitude of the repression in Iran has emerged with brutal clarity; whereas reports by accountable human rights organizations count at least 7000 confirmed deaths, with an additional 17.000 cases under investigation,

B. Whereas the Parliament has repeatedly condemned systemic human rights violations in Iran, including arbitrary detention, hostage diplomacy, discrimination against women and ethnic and religious minorities, and has called for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners, human rights defenders and EU nationals unjustly detained;

C. Whereas on 29 January 2026 the Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 15 persons and six entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran, including those involved in censoring activities and trolling campaigns on social media;

D. Whereas the Council designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation in response to its central role in the violent repression of protests and gross human rights abuses;

1. Deplores once again the severe repression of peaceful protests throughout Iran, including the use of lethal force against demonstrators, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians;

2. Considers it essential that the European institutions make use of all diplomatic means to end the cycle of systemic impunity for gross human rights violations carried out by Iranian officials;

3. Calls on the Commission to support innovative solutions to ensure full access to internet for the population in Iran;

4. Recalls its numerous positions denouncing the Iranian regime’s human rights violations, and underlines the importance of its resolution adopted on 22 January in significantly influencing the Council’s decision to extend sanctions and restrictive measures;

5. Demands that the Iranian authorities unconditionally release all persons imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and drop all charges against them;

6. Welcomes the decision to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization; highlights that the decision constitutes a landmark of the EU’s action against violent state repression and aligns EU policy with the other international partners;

5. Calls for the full implementation of the most recent sanctions; urges to enhance monitoring mechanisms to prevent their circumvention;

6. Continues to draw attention to the arbitrary and inhumane detention of European citizens in Iran, particularly long-term detainees, including Spanish residents Lindsay Foreman and Craig Foreman; recalls the case of French citizens Jacques Paris and Cécile Kohler, released from prison but still being held at the French embassy; calls on all EU institutions and Member States to work for their release;

7. Fully supports renewing the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission and of the Special Rapporteur on Iran and the request for an urgent inquiry into the recent brutal repression;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HRVP and the Government and Parliament of Iran.