MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
10 January 2005
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Michael Gahler, Bernd Posselt and Thomas Mann
on behalf of the PPE-ED Group
on torture in Iran
B6-0044/2005
European parliament resolution on torture in Iran
The European parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,
- having regard to the conclusions of the European Council of 16 and 17 December 2004,
- 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 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a State Party,
- having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the Judiciary in Iran has launched several campaigns against social and political activists leading to the closure of publications, imprisonment and according to reports widespread torture and forced false confessions,
B. whereas according to reports since the beginning of September 2004 at least 23 journalists, webloggers and web technicians have been arrested and have been detained without respect for proper legal procedures,
C. whereas even after being released from prison many of the former prisoners face continued harassment and threat,
D. whereas the full protection of women's human rights in Iran requires a further adaptation of legislation,
E. whereas the agreement signed by the Governments of France, Germany, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with the support of the High Representative of the European Union, and the Islamic Republic of Iran on 15 November 2004 is a positive step in the development of the relationship between the EU and Iran and the negotiations between the EU and Iran on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement will resume once suspension of all enrichment related and reprocessing activities has been verified,
1. Strongly condemns the campaigns by the Judiciary against journalists, social and political activists leading to the closure of publications, imprisonment and according to reports widespread torture and forced false confessions;
2. Demands the immediate implementation of the internal memo banning torture passed by the Judiciary in 2004;
3. Calls on the Iranian authorities to respect its commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to allow free speech and urges the immediate and unconditional release of all persons detained after the campaigns by the Judiciary against journalists, social and political activists;
4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government and Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran.