MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14.11.2006

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 Giusto Catania and André Brie
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Iran

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B6‑0597/2006

European Parliament resolution on Iran

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

- mindful that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,

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

A.  expressing its deep concern at the deterioration of the situation with regard to freedom of opinion and expression, in particular at restrictions on freedom of the press, judiciary suspension of newspapers, censorship of publications and the arrest of journalists, political activists and intellectuals on the basis of laws related to national security,

B.  having regard to the continuing violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in particular executions, in the apparent absence of respect for internationally recognized safeguards, and cases of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,

C.  having regard to Iran's to comply fully with international standards in the administration of justice, the absence of guarantees of due process of law and the absence of respect for internationally recognized legal safeguards, including against persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities,

D.  expressing its deep concern over the continuing discrimination in law and in practice against women,

1.  Calls on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to give effect to its invitation to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran;

2.  demande l'abolition immédiate de la peine de mort en Iran ainsi que de la pratique inhumaine de la lapidation, une punition souvent appliquée dans le cas d'exécution de femmes iraniennes;

3.  Calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to consolidate respect for human rights and the rule of law and to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under the International Coventions on Human Rights and under other international human rights instruments;

4.  Calls on the Iranian authorities to make renewed efforts to ensure the full application of due process of law and fair and transparent procedures by the judiciary and, in this context, to ensure the respect for the rights of the defence and the equity of the verdicts in all instances, including for members of religious and ethnic minority groups;

5.  Calls on the Iranian authorities to accelerate the process of the investigation into the suspicious deaths and killings of intellectuals and political activists, to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice and to take all necessary measures to end torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment;

6.  Calls on the EU Commission to implement new actions in order to intensify contacts with Iranian civil society, its independent media and its democratic opposition;

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