On Iran, in particular the case of 2012 Sakharov Prize laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh
B-9-2020-0440
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Hannah Neumann, Ernest Urtasun, Heidi Hautala, Francisco Guerreiro, Alviina Alametsä, Martin Häusling, Ignazio Corrao, Tineke Strik, Diana Riba i Giner, Rosa D'Amato, Alexandra Geese, Katrin Langensiepen, Bronis Ropė, Manuela Ripa, Gwendoline DelbosCorfield, Eleonora Evi
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Parliament's resolution on Iran focuses on the case of 2012 Sakharov Prize laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights lawyer imprisoned in Iran. It calls for her immediate and unconditional release and that of other human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience.¶¶ It condemns the crackdown on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and urges Iran to ensure fair trials and due process, including access to a lawyer of one's own choosing.¶ It demands that Iran guarantee the safety and well-being of all detainees, investigate ill-treatment, and introduce an immediate moratorium on the death penalty as a step towards abolition.¶¶ It calls on the EU and its member states to increase support for human rights defenders in Iran, establish an inter-institutional task force for Sakharov laureates at risk, and raise Sotoudeh's case with Iranian counterparts.¶¶¶ It urges Iran to extend a standing invitation to all UN Special Procedures and to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran to enter the country.¶
Key points
- Calls on Iran to immediately and unconditionally release Nasrin Sotoudeh and all other human rights defenders, women human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience detained for their human rights work.¶
- Is appalled that Iran returned Sotoudeh to prison despite her positive COVID-19 test and contrary to medical advice, placing her, inmates and staff at risk.¶
- Reiterates support for Sakharov laureates Nasrin Sotoudeh and Jafar Panahi, insists on Sotoudeh's release, and calls for lifting the travel ban on Panahi since 2010.¶
- Condemns the crackdown on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and urges Iran to ensure fair trials and the right to a lawyer of one's own choosing.¶
- Insists Iran guarantee detainees' safety and well-being, including dignified medical care, and investigate all allegations of ill-treatment and bring perpetrators to justice.¶
- Is alarmed by increasing use of the death penalty against protesters, dissidents and minorities, calls for an immediate moratorium and review of all death sentences, and urges abolition of corporal punishment including flogging, amputation and blinding.¶
- Calls on the EEAS and Commission to establish an internal inter-institutional task force in support of Sakharov Prize laureates at risk, including those arrested, condemned, facing the death penalty or unfair trials in third countries.¶
- Calls on the EU VP/HR to publicly call for Sotoudeh's release and on EU representatives to systematically raise her case with Iranian counterparts and request to meet her during visits.¶
- Calls on EU member states with diplomatic missions in Iran to implement the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders and provide support to Sotoudeh, including prison visits, trial monitoring and legal assistance.¶
- Insists on the expeditious establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran to strengthen monitoring of the human rights situation and engagement with Iranian counterparts and civil society.¶
- Calls on the EU and member states to increase protection and support for human rights defenders in Iran, including through emergency grants under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, and to address the vulnerability of women human rights defenders.¶¶
- Calls on the EEAS to continue including human rights in the EU-Iran High Level Dialogue, on the Commission and member states to ensure EU aid does not facilitate death sentences, and on Iran to allow UN Special Procedures to visit.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Iranian authorities, who are called on to release Sotoudeh and other detainees, ensure fair trials, and halt executions.¶¶¶
- Nasrin Sotoudeh, who is imprisoned and whose release is demanded.¶
- EU member states and EU institutions, which are asked to raise her case and support human rights defenders.¶¶¶
- Human rights defenders in Iran, who would benefit from increased EU protection and support.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 33 years and six months in prison and 148 lashes: sentence imposed on Nasrin Sotoudeh on 11 March 2019.¶
- 13 June 2018: date Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested at her home in Tehran.
- 15 August 2018: date she was sentenced in absentia to five years for propaganda against the state, assembly against national security and espionage.
- 27 July 2020: date her bank accounts were blocked by the Tehran Prosecutor's Office.
- 10 August 2020: start of her fourth hunger strike, lasting 46 days.¶
- 20 October 2020: date she was transferred to Qarchak prison.
- 7 November 2020: date she was granted temporary furlough on medical grounds.¶
- 2 December 2020: date she was returned to Qarchak prison.