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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2020/2914(RSP))

On Iran, in particular the case of 2012 Sakharov Prize laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh

B-9-2020-0441

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Kati Piri, Maria Arena

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Parliament's resolution on Iran focuses on the case of 2012 Sakharov Prize laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian human rights lawyer sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes. It calls for her immediate and unconditional release and that of hundreds of others arbitrarily detained. It condemns the execution of journalist Ruhollah Zam, reiterates opposition to the death penalty and calls for an immediate moratorium on all pending executions with a view to full abolition. It demands the release of all European-Iranian dual nationals detained in Iran and raises alarm over the pending execution of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali. It urges Iran to improve prison conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, release vulnerable detainees, investigate the November 2019 protest crackdown and allow international human rights observers access to the country. It calls on the EU's foreign policy chief and the EEAS to keep raising Iran's human rights situation in the EU-Iran High Level Political Dialogue and welcomes plans for a human rights dialogue.

Key points

  1. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Nasrin Sotoudeh and the hundreds of people arbitrarily detained for peacefully exercising their human rights, and demands their physical and mental safety pending release.
  2. Demands Iran urgently address prison overcrowding, poor ventilation, lack of sanitation and medical equipment, and release arbitrarily detained people, pre-trial detainees, pregnant women, women in custody with children, older individuals and those with pre-existing conditions.
  3. Condemns the execution of Ruhollah Zam, reiterates unconditional opposition to capital punishment, denounces the death penalty as a deterrent to dissent, and calls for an immediate moratorium on all pending executions with a view to full abolition.
  4. Reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all European-Iranian dual nationals, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Ahmadreza Djalali, Kameel Ahmady, Kamran Ghaderi, Massoud Mossaheb and Morad Tahbaz, unless retried in accordance with international standards.
  5. Expresses alarm at the pending execution of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali and calls on the HR/VP and member states to consider targeted restrictive measures on high-level Iranian officials responsible for his unfair trial, detention and threatened execution.
  6. Condemns impunity for serious human rights violations, calls on the UN Human Rights Council to trigger a comprehensive investigation into the 2019 crackdown, and urges the EU and member states to adopt targeted restrictive measures against responsible officials.
  7. Requests publication of all information on the number, identities, ages, location, cause and circumstances of deaths during the November 2019 protests, and calls for independent investigations and prosecution of those responsible without seeking the death penalty.
  8. Calls on the EU's acting representation in Iran and member states' permanent representations to attend trials and appeal hearings of political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists and activists, including Nasrin Sotoudeh.
  9. Urges Iran to stop using internet shutdowns incompatible with international human rights law and calls for a transparent, independent investigation into the shutdown and accountability for those responsible.
  10. Calls on Iran to investigate enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions, exhume and return remains to families, identify and prosecute perpetrators, and provide effective remedies for victims.
  11. Urges Iran to allow international human rights observers, including the UN Special Rapporteur for Iran and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, full and unfettered access to the country.
  12. Calls on the HR/VP and the EEAS to continue raising Iran's human rights situation in the EU-Iran High Level Political Dialogue, welcomes the EEAS intention to hold a human rights dialogue, and urges Iran to participate.

Who is affected

  • Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian human rights lawyer sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes, whom the resolution calls to release.
  • Iranian authorities, from whom the resolution demands release of detainees, prison improvements, investigations and access for observers.
  • European-Iranian dual nationals detained in Iran, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Ahmadreza Djalali, Kameel Ahmady, Kamran Ghaderi, Massoud Mossaheb and Morad Tahbaz.
  • The HR/VP, the EEAS and member states, asked to raise Iran's human rights situation and consider targeted restrictive measures.
  • Human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and activists in Iran, whom the resolution says remain behind bars for peaceful activism.

Figures and deadlines

  • 38 years in prison and 148 lashes: the sentence given to Nasrin Sotoudeh in absentia on 6 March 2019.
  • 45 day hunger strike: ended by Nasrin Sotoudeh on 30 September 2020.
  • 7 November 2020: date Nasrin Sotoudeh was temporarily released; 2 December 2020: date she was ordered to return to Qarchak Prison.
  • 11-year term: sentence given to Nasrin Sotoudeh on 9 January 2011, later reduced to 6 years; released 18 September 2013.
  • 13 April 2021: date until which the Council extended restrictive measures on Iran on 7 April 2020.
  • 24 October 2020: date Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali was moved to solitary confinement; 1 December 2020: transferred to death row.