MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Iran, notably the cases of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and Zahra Bahrami
6.9.2010
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Rachida Dati, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Roberta Angelilli, Potito Salatto, Filip Kaczmarek, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Elena Băsescu, Sari Essayah, Tunne Kelam, Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, Mario Mauro, Erminia Mazzoni, Bernd Posselt, Cristian Dan Preda, Michèle Striffler, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra on behalf of the PPE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0494/2010
B7‑0501/2010
European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Iran, notably the cases of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and Zahra Bahrami
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, notably those concerning human rights, and particularly those of 22 October 2009 and 10 February 2010,
– having regard to the statements of 14 June 2010 and 6 July 2010 by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Iran is a party,
– having regard to the resolutions of the UN General Assembly, particularly Resolutions 62/149 and 63/138 concerning a moratorium on executions pending the abolition of the death penalty,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas in Iran in 2006 Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was accused of having had two extramarital sexual relationships after the death of her husband, was sentenced to 99 lashes, which were administered the same year,
B. whereas she was also charged with complicity in the murder of her husband and then acquitted, before being charged with adultery during her marriage and sentenced to be stoned,
C. whereas the stoning, which was to have been carried out on 9 July 2010, was suspended by the Iranian authorities 'for humanitarian reasons' in response to international pressure,
D. whereas the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is not an isolated one, and whereas it is important to reiterate the European Parliament's commitment to women's rights, universal values and opposing all forms of violence against women, particularly stoning of women,
E. whereas Zahra Bahrami, a Netherlands national who had travelled to Iran to visit her family, was arrested after the Ashura protests on 27 December 2009 and forced to make televised confessions to the charges against her,
1. Strongly condemns the sentencing to death by stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and considers that, no matter what she might have done, a sentence to death by stoning cannot be justified or accepted;
2. Urges the Iranian authorities to revoke the sentences handed down to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani;
3. Recalls that, unfortunately, the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is not unique, and expresses its support for all other women who have been sentenced to death in violation of human dignity, women's rights and respect for human rights;
4. Strongly condemns the arrest of Zahra Bahrami and calls for her immediate and unconditional release;
5. Reaffirms its opposition to the death penalty and calls on the Iranian authorities, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolutions 62/149 and 63/138, to institute a moratorium on executions pending the abolition of the death penalty;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the President of the Iranian Supreme Court and the Government and Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran.