On the repression and execution of protesters, dissidents, political prisoners and religious minorities in Iran

European Parliament resolution on the repression and execution of protesters, dissidents, political prisoners and religious minorities in Iran

(2026/2733(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on the Islamic Republic of Iran,

– having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the Iranian people faced the largest mass murder of protesters in the country’s history following the 2025-2026 uprising, numbering in the tens of thousands, including at least 236 minors, as well as mass detentions, executions, torture and daily terror; whereas Iran has the world’s highest death sentence rate per capita; whereas the regime is using the ongoing war as a cover to accelerate executions even further;

B. whereas the UN International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran (FFM) warned that the repression may amount to crimes against humanity;

C. whereas in March 2026, authorities began executing the January protesters following sham prosecutions based on confessions obtained through torture, sexual violence, broadcasted forced confessions and mock executions;

D. whereas the regime disproportionately targets religious and ethnic minorities, including Ahwazis, Afghans, Azeris, Baha’is, Baluchis, Christians, Jews, Kurds, Sunnis and Zoroastrians; whereas the regime has intensified its campaign against women’s rights activists, journalists and human rights defenders;

1. Expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people and their struggle for freedom, democracy and human rights;

2. Condemns the regime’s accelerating repression and use of the death penalty to deter political mobilisation; demands that executions be stopped immediately and the death penalty be fully abolished;

3. Deplores the secret execution of dissidents in March and April 2026, particularly minors; pays tribute to the remarkable bravery of those executed;

4. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in detention and accountability for violence committed there;

5. Calls on the Council to expand sanctions against Iranian officials responsible for repression, including the judiciary, prison administration, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and entities associated with the Supreme Leader;

6. Calls for sanctions on assets of the IRGC and loyal family members and for them entry into the EU to be denied;

7. Urges Member States to close Iranian diplomatic missions associated with transnational repression;

8. Calls on the Commission and Member States to close gaps in sanctions enforcement;

9. Calls on Member States to ensure the FFM receives adequate resources and to share information with it and establish a tribunal for Iran to pursue accountability and universal jurisdiction in European courts;

10. Condemns the internet blackout imposed in Iran and calls for the EU and like-minded partners to provide Iranians with tools for secure internet access;

11. Calls on Member States to duly consider the vulnerability of persecuted Iranians when processing cases under national legal frameworks;

12. Calls on the VP/HR, the Council and Member States to make human rights, the release of all political prisoners, an end to executions, and accountability for the victims core elements of any engagement to end the ongoing war;

13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.