MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

22.4.2008

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Umberto Guidoni
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the case of the Iranian activist Khadijeh Moghaddam

B6‑0182/2008

European Parliament resolution on the case of the Iranian activist Khadijeh Moghaddam

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, notably those concerning human rights,

-  having regard to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to which Iran is a party,

-  having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas Ms Khadijeh Moghaddam, a founding member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, was arrested on 8 April 2008 and was charged at the Revolutionary Court for allegedly "spreading propaganda against the State", "disruption of public opinion" and "actions against national security",

B.  whereas Ms Khadijeh Moghaddam was released on bail after nine days,

C.  whereas, in a statement issued on 11 April 2008, hundreds of civil society activists in Iran objected to the arrest of Ms Khadijeh Moghaddam and called for her immediate and unconditional release,

D.  whereas several other women's rights defenders are being or have been prosecuted for the involvement in the One Million Signatures Campaign, which aims to collect one million signatures for a petition demanding an end to discrimination against women in Iranian laws,

E.

whereas Iran is still not a party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination against Women,

1.  Welcomes the release of Ms Khadijeh Moghaddam, whose arrest and detention was arbitrary; urges the Iranian authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all other women's rights defenders who are currently being detained;

2.  Strongly condemns the repression against civil society movements in Iran, including women's rights defenders involved in the One Million Signatures Campaign; urges the Iranian authorities to end the harassment, intimidation and persecution of these citizens and to release immediately and unconditionally all prisoners of conscience;

3.  Expresses its concern about the continuous discrimination in law and in practice against women in Iran;

4.  Calls on the Iranian authorities to sign the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights Council, the Government and Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran.