MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

9.11.2005

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Council and the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Alexander Lambsdorff, István Szent-Iványi, Jelko Kacin, Elizabeth Lynne, Frédérique Ries, Sophia in ‘t Veld, Margarita Starkevičiūtė, Philippe Morillon and Janusz Onyszkiewicz
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on Iran

B6‑0585/2005

European Parliament resolution on Iran

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, notably its resolution of 13 October 2005[1],

–  having regard to the resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors of 24 September 2005,

–  having regard to the Council conclusions on Iran, notably those of 16 March, 3 October and 7 November 2005,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas, on 26 October 2005, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed a conference in Tehran entitled ‘The World without Zionism’ where he quoted Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini by saying ‘Israel must be wiped off the map’,

B.  whereas these comments were officially reported by the Iranian State News Agency IRNA,

C.  whereas on Friday, 4 November, during a live broadcast to mark Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, insisted that Iran does not intend to attack any foreign state,

D.  reiterating its grave concern, as expressed in its resolution of 13 October 2005, at Iran’s resumption of activity at the uranium conversion facility in Esfahan,

E.  deeply concerned at the serious violations of human rights which continue to occur in Iran and disappointed that the EU-Iran human rights dialogue has not been held since June 2004 despite repeated attempts on the EU’s part to agree dates for the next round of talks,

F.  concerned at the situation of the imprisoned Iranian journalist and dissident, Akbar Ganji, who has been tortured by judiciary officials in an attempt to force him to renounce his writings,

1.  Condemns in the strongest terms the comments in respect of the state of Israel made by President Ahmadinejad;

2.  Reaffirms its unalterable commitment to Israel’s right to existence within internationally recognised borders and in safety;

3.  Strongly believes that calls for violence and for the destruction of any state are inconsistent with any claim to be a mature and responsible member of the international community;

4.  Is of the opinion that the fact that these comments were made on the same day as a horrific attack on Israeli civilians should reinforce the lesson that incitement to violence and the terrorism that it breeds are despicable and unacceptable acts;

5.  Underlines that the comments cause concern about Iran’s role in the region and its future intentions; in this context, condemns Iran’s continued support for terrorist groups and calls on the Iranian government to cease this practice immediately;

6.  Reiterates its full support for the resolution adopted on 24 September 2005 by the IAEA Board of Governors, criticising Iran for non-compliance with the IAEA’s Statute and underlining the resulting absence of confidence that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes;

7.  Urges Iran to implement measures requested by the IAEA Board of Governors in its resolution of 24 September 2005 including reinstating a full suspension of all fuel cycle activities, thus allowing negotiations with the European side to resume before the IAEA Board of Governors meets again on 24 November 2005;

8.  Considers that negotiations between Iran and the European Union may recommence only under the conditions agreed before the previous rounds, i.e. Iran must freeze all activities related to uranium enrichment as stipulated in the Paris Agreement;

9.  Underlines its continued efforts in seeking a diplomatic solution to international concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme;

10.  Takes note of the idea of Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director-General of the IAEA, to establish a central bank of nuclear fuel from which countries like Iran and others could draw their supplies;

11.  Invites the Council and the Commission to examine closely the proposals to create an international nuclear fuel bank under the supervision of the IAEA;

12.  Is convinced that a comprehensive dialogue between the EU and Iran is an appropriate framework for discussing issues of mutual interest and concern such as counter-narcotics, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Middle East peace process, human rights, fundamental freedoms and regional issues;

13.  Urges Iran to take steps to resume substantive discussions under the EU-Iran human rights dialogue and to demonstrate by its concrete actions that it is willing to improve respect for human rights, including by: fulfilling its international obligations and earlier commitments in relation to the death penalty in general and in particular the execution of juvenile offenders and minors, which, in numerous cases, is used as a punishment for sexual orientation, which is not considered a crime on the basis of international legal standards; and by permanently releasing Akbar Ganji and the prisoners of conscience;

14.  Reiterates its view that it is up to Iran to determine through its actions whether its long-term relationship with the EU and the international community will improve or deteriorate;

15.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative for the CFSP, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the countries referred to in this resolution, the Director-General of the IAEA, the UN Commission on Human Rights, the Head of the State Supreme Court of Iran and the Government and Majlis of Iran.

• [1]  Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2005)0382