MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights in Iran, particularly mass execution and recent deat of the blogger Sattar Beheshti

20.11.2012 - (2012/2877(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Tarja Cronberg, Barbara Lochbihler, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Rui Tavares, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen, Isabelle Durant on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0500/2012

B7‑0500/2012

European Parliament resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran, particularly mass execution and recent deat of the blogger Sattar Beheshti

(2012/2877(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-     having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Iran, in particular the one of 14 June 2012,

 

- having regard to the statement of the spokesperson of the spokesperson of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission on the death of Iranian blogger Sattar Beheshti in custody,

 

- having regard to the report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran of 11 October 2012,

 

- having regard to the award of this year's Sakharov Prize to Nasrin Sotoudeh and Jafar Panahi as a recognition for their work to advance rights and freedom in Iran,

 

- having regard to its Rule 122 (5) of the Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A.  whereas the human rights situation in Iran is constantly deteriorating; whereas numerous cases of ill-treatment, torture, medical neglect and death in Iranian prisons have been documented,

 

B.  whereas Sattar Beheshti, a 35 year old blogger, was arrested on October 30 by Iran’s cyberpolice when they raided his mother’s home in Robast Karim confiscating also a number of his personal belongings, including his computes;

 

C.  whereas his family tried to get information about Beheshti whereabouts and the reason for his arrest from security and judicial officials but no answer was given until November 6 when police officials told the family that the blogger had died in custody; whereas the authorities did not provide any explanation for his death;

 

D.  whereas there are allegations that during interrogations Beheshti was severely beaten and tortured, which led to his death;

 

E.  whereas members of the family of Sattar Beheshti in Iran had been threatened with arrest if they spoke to the media about his death, or filed a lawsuit against the alleged torture culprits;

 

F.  whereas after several days of silence on the death of Sattar Beheshti, the Iranian Judiciary’s Human Rights Council has committed itself to reviewing all aspects of the case and strongly prosecuting all those found guilty;

 

G.  whereas on 22 October 2012 10 Iranian individuals were executed on charges of drug offences; whereas there are concerns that they did not receive a fair trial and were subjected to torture during their detention;

 

H.  whereas a dramaric increase in executions, including of juveniles, is recorded in Iran in recent years; whereas the death penalty is regularly used in cases where due process rights were denied to the accused and for crimes that do not meet the international standard for most serious crimes;

 

I.  whereas on the grounds of absence of concessions to her request for the authorities to stop harassing her family, who have been banned from travelling abroad, on 17 October Sakharov Prize Laureate Nasrin Soutoudeh's started a hunger strike and was transferred thereafter to solitary confinement; whereas her health conditions have been gradually deteriorating and are a matter of deep concern;

 

J.  whereas Iran is a party to the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights,

 

1.  Strongly demands an immediate investigation of the circumstances of the death of Sattar Beheshti in custody and calls for the prosecution of the responsible officials;

 

2.  Insists that the right of his family to clarify all circumstances of his death and bring lawsuits against the alleged culprits be fully respected and protected and calls on the Iranian authorities to stop any further act of intimidation and harassment;

 

3.  Condemns the execution on 22 October 2012 of 10 Iranian individuals on charges of drug offences and is concerned that they did not receive a fair trial and were subjected to torture during their detention;

 

4.  Is deeply concerned by steady deterioration of the human rights situation in Iran, and urges the Iranian authorities to halt the repression of bloggers and internet activists, among other dissidents;

 

5.  Urges the Iranian authorities to ensure that the prisoners are not subjected to any torture and other ill-treatment, and that they are allowed to have regular access to lawyers of their choice and medical treatment, if and when needed;

 

6.  Calls on the Iranian authorities to ensure that Iranian citizens enjoy full respect and protection of the rights granted to them in the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran has subscribed;

 

7.  Expresses its sympathy and full solidarity with the requests of Nasrin Sotoudeh and calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately release her from the current arbitrary detention, allow her to have access to medical treatment and stop harassing the members of her family;

 

8.  Calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the European Parliament, to make effective use of the new Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights in order to support democracy, including freedom of expression online, and respect for human rights in Iran;

 

9.  Strongly condemns the use of the death penalty in Iran 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; urges the Government to prohibit the execution of juveniles and consider commuting all capital sentences for juveniles currently facing a death sentence;

 

10.  Reaffirms its readiness to engage in human rights dialogue with Iran at all levels on the basis of universal values as enshrined in the UN Charter and Conventions as long as it is result-oriented and clear benchmarks are defined ;

 

11.  Is concerned about the significant negative effects of wide-reaching economic sanctions against Iran on the social and economic rights of Iranian people, including an escalation in inflation, a rise in commodities and energy costs, and a shortage of necessary items, including medicine;

 

12.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the EEAS, the Council, the Commission and the UN Human Rights Council.