MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
10 January 2005
by Salvatore Tatarella
on behalf of the UEN Group
on torture in Iran
B6-0040/2005
European parliament resolution on torture in Iran
The European parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,
- having regard to the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convenants on Human Rights and other human rights instruments,
- having regard to the resolution of the UN General Assembly of 20 December 2004 on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,
- having regard to the conclusions of the European Council of 16 and 17 December 2004,
- having regard to the fact that the Iran is a member of the International Covenants on Human Rights,
- having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas there are continuing violations of human rights in Iran,
B. whereas efforts by Iran’s Judiciary to curtail freedom of expression and association are now increasingly encroaching on human rights defenders and civil society activists,
C. whereas since November 2004 there have been reports that 25 internet journalists and civil society activists were arrested in the absence of due process of law, highlighting a very worrying rise in human rights violations in Iran,
D. whereas recommendations made by United Nations human rights representatives, such as the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions (WGAD) February 2003, have been ignored,
E. whereas there is a definite need for laws and attitudes which discriminate against women to be reviewed,
F. whereas the agreement signed by the High Representatives of the Union and the Islamic Republic of Iran, 15 November 2004, is a positive step in the development of relations between the European Union and Iran,
1. Condemns any use of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and demands strict adherence to obligations freely undertaken under the International Covenants of Human Rights;
2. Condemns the actions of the Iranian Judiciary of targeted arbitrary arrests and detention, along with reports of torture and ill treatment of social and political activists and journalists; Calls for a full compliance with international standards in the administration of justice, the provision of due legal process and right to counsel, along with fair and public hearings;
3. Demands that the Judiciary fully implement the ban on torture announced in April 2004 by the Head of the Judiciary;
4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government and Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran.