Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 - Strasbourg

16.2. Systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages

  Przewodnicząca. – Kolejnym punktem porządku obrad jest debata nad siedmioma projektami rezolucji w sprawie systematycznego naruszenia praw człowieka w Iranie, w szczególności sprawy Pakszan Azizi i Wriszy Moradi oraz branie obywateli Unii Europejskiej za zakładników (2025/2511(RSP)).

  Tomáš Zdechovský, author. – Madam President, I'm sorry, I usually wait only for women. Sorry that I am here a little bit late.

Ladies and gentlemen, I think that we have to say that Iran's regime is really the criminal that is systematically attacking the people who are living in Iran. And I'm very happy that we have here a very good resolution that is talking about the Kurdish activists, but that is also speaking about Christians who are living under the oppression of Iran's Islamic regime.

This is the first time in the European Parliament where we openly speak about people who are converting to Christianity and they are under the pressure; this is the victory of this democratic institution. I am very happy that so many fractions here in the European Parliament, so many groups, supported this text. I think it is a very good compromise.

Thank you all the colleagues; you negotiated this text. If it weren't so, I would not trust the democracy, but I can continue and I am very happy that we send a very strong signal that democracy is, for us, something essential.

  Evin Incir, author. – Madam President, the heinous murder of Jina Amini in 2022 sparked a powerful movement that resonated throughout Iran, throughout Kurdistan, the Middle East and beyond. Since then, courageous voices are chanting: 'Woman, life, freedom!'

However, the human rights situation in Iran has worsened dramatically, with over 900 executions in 2024 alone, targeting women, minorities, political dissidents and those involved in this feminist revolution.

Repression persists, highlighted by the recent death sentences for two brave Kurdish women – Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi – and over 50 other political prisoners. The regime employs brutal tactics, including tortures and arbitrary arrests of EU citizens, like Dr Ahmad Reza Jalali, to pressure the EU to release the regime's criminals.

The EU must unite to secure the release of all political prisoners. Our citizens deserve to return home, and every and each Iranian deserve the right to live in freedom and equality. The oppressive mullah regime will ultimately be consigned to the dustbin of history, but that requires our unwavering support for the brave people who risk their lives every day.

  Carlo Ciccioli, autore. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la risoluzione odierna è un grande passo in avanti nella condanna delle esecuzioni in Iran e nell'opposizione alla pena di morte.

La crisi dei diritti umani richiede però molto più delle parole: dobbiamo agire per porre fine all'impunità di cui gode il regime teocratico in tutte le sue forme di brutale repressione.

Tra 900 e 1 000 esecuzioni nel corso del solo 2024: proprio la settimana scorsa, Amnesty International ha sollecitato le autorità iraniane a fermare le previste esecuzioni di Behrouz Ehsani, 69 anni, e Mehdi Hassani, 48 anni, condannati a morte.

I loro casi evidenziano la brutale repressione del dissenso politico da parte del regime e chiediamo che le esecuzioni di tutti i prigionieri vengano fermate.

La soluzione è stare dalla parte del popolo iraniano nella sua ricerca di libertà e sostenere la campagna "No alle esecuzioni". La soluzione per l'Iran è chiara. La tabella di marcia del futuro Iran libero è stata presentata dal presidente del Consiglio nazionale della resistenza allo scorso Parlamento.

Dobbiamo stare dalla parte del popolo iraniano.

  Petras Auštrevičius, author. – Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the mullah's regime in Iran survives at the cost of endless repression. Iran's courts have become a place for handling down long prison and death sentences. The confessions of prisoners and detainees are extracted through psychological and physical pressure and torture.

Last year was bloody in Iran, with over 900 executions. We continue to call for a halt of the executions of Pakhshan Azizi, Wrisha Moradi, Behrouz Ehsani, Mehdi Hassani and at least 54 other political prisoners on death row.

We also call for the release of dozens EU citizens being held hostage in Iran. The EU policy towards Iran must be proportionate to the crimes committed by the Iranian regime. I urge the European Union to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. I urge the EEAS to exert the necessary influence on the Iranian regime to stop the mass executions and to bring our citizens home.

  Hannah Neumann, author. – Madam President, Pakhshan Azizi cared for the wounded and displaced in Rojava, helping those fleeing from the brutality of ISIS. Wrisha Moradi fought against ISIS herself on the frontlines in Kobane, defending not only lives but also human dignity. In a normal country, these two would be heroes. In Iran, they face death row.

For the first time in years, the regime threatens to execute women political prisoners, and these death sentences are nothing but acts of revenge by the Islamic regime against women, against Kurds and against the ideals of women: life, freedom, self-determination and bravery. Revenge because so many still dare to speak out, and the only response this regime knows is to crush dissent by brutal force. Yes, the henchmen of this regime can imprison people, but this will only amplify the unstoppable call for freedom. Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi embody everything this regime fears. (The speaker concluded in a non-official language),

  Silvia Sardone, autrice. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, sono al secondo mandato qui. Oramai da anni siamo in questo Parlamento a denunciare l'orrore della situazione dei diritti umani in Iran.

Spiace, però, che per l'ennesima volta si eviti di dire che si tratta di un regime islamico, che calpesta i diritti e le libertà, a partire da quelli delle donne. Ma le femministe di sinistra stanno zitte, e mi rivolgo proprio a voi, che state zitte per paura di perdere i voti.

Sì, perché questa è la ragione. Se l'Unione europea non parte da questo presupposto, è come se voltasse le spalle alle donne, ai dissidenti politici e a chi sta in carcere sottoposto a isolamento e tortura. Non dimentichiamo, inoltre, la persecuzione delle minoranze da parte del regime iraniano, tra cui i cristiani, i curdi e i bahá'í, tutti vittime di discriminazioni etniche e religiose.

Non possiamo dunque condannare l'Iran senza citare minimamente il contesto islamico su cui poggiano le leggi morali e la repressione portata avanti dal regime. Eppure qua nessuno ha citato una sola volta che il regime è islamico.

Sullo sfondo, rimane una grandissima domanda: a parte le inutili risoluzioni, cosa sta facendo l'Europa di fronte al terrore imposto dall'Iran?

  Isabel Serra Sánchez, autora. – Señora presidenta, la pena de muerte debería estar abolida en todo el mundo, en Irán o en Estados Unidos.

En Irán hay, en este momento, dos activistas —dos mujeres kurdas— condenadas a pena de muerte. Ellas son Pajshan Azizi y Wrisha Moradi. Sus delitos son oponerse al régimen iraní, luchar por los derechos de las mujeres, defender y ser parte de la minoría kurda: son presas políticas.

Desde aquí manifiesto mi reconocimiento a las mujeres iraníes que hace dos años y medio se levantaron en el movimiento «Mujer, Vida, Libertad». Y, desde aquí, expreso mi rechazo a la tortura y a la represión que sufrieron y que siguen sufriendo por parte del régimen iraní. Las activistas deben ser liberadas. Los derechos humanos hay que defenderlos siempre. Dejen, por eso, de oponerse a nuestra propuesta de visados humanitarios.

Las mujeres están cambiando el mundo. Oigan esto, señores de la ultraderecha, porque a ustedes les encanta instrumentalizar la lucha feminista para sus intereses geopolíticos, racistas o islamófobos, pero los derechos de las mujeres hay que defenderlos siempre. Hay que defenderlos en Irán, en Palestina, en Arabia Saudí o en los Estados Unidos, donde un agresor sexual ha declarado la guerra a las mujeres: Trump.

En Irán y en todo el mundo, ¡que viva la lucha de las mujeres!

  Reinhold Lopatka, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, as so many colleagues mentioned it before, the regime in Tehran is among the most brutal on earth. It has been desperately trying for all means, including murder and torture, to suppress civil society and the nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.

Countless demonstrators have been arrested and death sentences are regularly carried out. The Iranian regime is a long term threat to its own citizens, to Israel, to neighbouring Arab states, to Ukraine with the drones and other support it provides to Russia, and to EU citizens who are taken hostage. The actions of the Iranian authorities are shocking and absolutely unacceptable.

We must support the civil society, as well as EU citizens in the country, and widen restrictive measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

  Chloé Ridel, au nom du groupe S&D. – Madame la Présidente, Cécile Kohler est professeure de français. Jacques Paris est professeur de mathématiques à la retraite. Olivier Grondeau est un voyageur aguerri et amoureux de la culture iranienne. Il a mon âge, 33 ans. Il y a plus de deux ans, Cécile, Jacques et Olivier ont été arrêtés brutalement au cours d’un voyage touristique en Iran. Depuis, ils sont emprisonnés par le régime iranien sur la base de fausses accusations de complot contre la République islamique et d’espionnage.

Pas de procès, pas de preuves, et des conditions de détention qui s’apparentent à de la torture: placés à l’isolement dans des cellules sans meubles, sans fenêtres, éclairées et surveillées vingt-quatre heures sur vingt-quatre, où ils vivent et dorment à même le sol. Ils ne peuvent en sortir que trois fois par semaine pendant trente minutes pour prendre l’air. Pourquoi subissent-ils cette mort lente? Pour rien: nos compatriotes sont retenus en otage, ni plus ni moins.

Ils sont utilisés par le régime iranien comme un instrument de chantage contre nous. Voilà le modus operandi d’un régime qui n’a aucun respect pour la vie et qui tue ses enfants quotidiennement. Je ne peux pas imaginer ce que ressentent Cécile, Jacques et Olivier depuis le fond de leur prison, sans perspective d’en sortir, mais je peux ici appeler à ce que l’Union européenne demande leur libération immédiate et sans condition. Pour Cécile, pour Jacques, pour Olivier.

  Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, en nombre del Grupo PfE. – Señora presidenta, Comisión, señorías, se han llevado a cabo más de mil ejecuciones en Irán en 2024, incluidas 34 mujeres. No es casualidad que sea un país donde impere un régimen de islamismo radical, cuyas leyes ya de por sí violan los derechos humanos y la dignidad de las personas, especialmente de las mujeres. La historia de Irán desde hace mucho tiempo está marcada por grandes masacres. La policía del régimen terrorista de los ayatolás mata a mujeres mediante palizas y torturas por cosas tan triviales como enseñar el pelo o por llevar mal puesto el chador.

Es incomprensible que, cuando algunos tratamos de denunciar las atrocidades del fundamentalismo islámico —que también se cuela en Europa a través de la inmigración ilegal—, se nos acuse de discurso del odio. Son precisamente las actuales políticas de la Unión Europea en defensa sin límites del multiculturalismo las que legitiman esta ideología que comete acciones como las ejecuciones que hoy condenamos.

Pido a la Unión Europea que sea contundente en su condena contra el islamismo radical, tanto dentro como fuera de nuestras fronteras, con el fin de derrotar definitivamente a regímenes criminales como el de Irán y poder devolver la libertad así al pueblo iraní.

  Javier Zarzalejos (PPE). – Madam President, Commissioner, Iran again. Death and oppression brought about by the Islamic theocracy. Hostage taking, among others, of European citizens, mass executions are the tools of repression used by a faltering regime.

The Supreme Court, on the same day by the same judge, upheld the death sentence on Pakhshan Azizi, but also on Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani. In 2024, it's been said, over 1 000 executions; 12 prisoners were hanged in New Year's Day.

So in the current reshaping of the strategic scenario in the Middle East, it is high time to define and implement a fresh approach to Iran. A new approach that must start by standing firmly behind the Iranian people, and the democratic and secular resistance of Iran.

  Francisco Assis (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, Senhor Comissário, uso da palavra, neste debate, para me referir especificamente à situação dos membros da organização dos mujahedin do povo iraniano.

Como saberão, diversos membros desta organização estão detidos na prisão de Evin, em Teerão. Muitos deles são sobreviventes e testemunhas das execuções em massa que tiveram lugar no final dos anos 1980 no Irão, por obra das infames comissões da morte.

Os membros dos mujahedin têm denunciado, sistematicamente, as violações dos direitos humanos, a tortura e as acusações infundadas contra os dissidentes do regime. Mesmo a partir da prisão, exprimem sempre a sua solidariedade para com todos os presos no corredor da morte e apelam ao fim da pena capital, inclusive através de greves de fome.

Ora, no dia 7 de janeiro, dois membros dos mujahedin viram as suas condenações à morte reconfirmadas pelo Supremo Tribunal: Behrouz Ehsani, de 69 anos, e Mehdi Hassani, de 48 anos. Ambos foram submetidos a torturas físicas e psicológicas de uma extrema violência.

A Amnistia Internacional apelou já às autoridades iranianas para anularem a execução destes dois dissidentes. Este Parlamento não pode deixar de fazer o mesmo apelo.

  Isabel Benjumea Benjumea (PPE). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, una vez más este Parlamento alza su voz, de una manera unida, para denunciar las atrocidades del régimen iraní. Un régimen que, según los datos, ha ejecutado a mil personas en el año 2024, un régimen que oprime principalmente a las mujeres, pero también a todo aquel que se oponga a los mandatos del propio régimen.

La pregunta importante es hasta cuándo nosotros en Europa —desde la Comisión, desde los Gobiernos de los Estados miembros— vamos a mantener, por ejemplo, representaciones diplomáticas, o vamos a permitir que haya embajadores del régimen de Irán campando a sus anchas por los Estados miembros de la Unión, o hasta cuándo vamos a no reforzar las sanciones al régimen de Irán.

Alzamos la voz, condenamos lo que está ocurriendo, nos unimos al dolor de las víctimas, pedimos su liberación, pero tenemos que hacer mucho más, y yo pido que sea así.

  Alessandra Moretti (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, il coraggio delle donne fa paura al regime iraniano.

Pakhshan Azizi, attivista curda, è rinchiusa con una condanna a morte nel carcere di Evin, lo stesso posto infernale in cui è stata detenuta Cecilia Sala. Due donne, due storie diverse, ma unite da un luogo che è simbolo di oppressione e violenza.

È il coraggio, come quello di Pakhshan, che ha scelto di lottare per i diritti, ciò che il regime iraniano teme di più, soprattutto se sono le donne a combattere per la libertà. Le autorità rispondono con condanne a morte – che nel 2024 sono state 900 – con l'isolamento e con la tortura, andando a colpire maggiormente le minoranze etniche per instaurare il terrore e consolidare il potere.

Chiediamo il rilascio immediato di Pakhshan Azizi, di Verisheh Moradi e di tutte le persone incarcerate e condannate ingiustamente.

Come questo Parlamento ha chiesto più volte, vorrei poi ribadire la necessità di inserire le Guardie rivoluzionarie nella lista delle organizzazioni terroristiche dell'Unione europea. Basta con l'ipocrisia, lo si faccia presto.

La libertà e i diritti umani non devono e non possono conoscere confini. Donna, vita, libertà.

  Jessika Van Leeuwen (PPE). – Madam President, the ability to stand here as a woman and speak freely is both a right and a privilege. Pakhshan Azizi, Wrisha Moradi, Behrouz Ehsani, and Mehdi Hassani ‑ four names, but there are many, many more. Those people are not violent criminals. These are brave, courageous people. It is for them that I stand here today.

Some ask today, does it matter? Will what we say and do here change anything? Well, when we raise our voices, we send a message not only to those suffering under tyranny, but also to those who impose it. Silence allows oppression to thrive. Speaking out challenges it.

If they were brave enough to speak up, we cannot simply stay silent. Because if we do not speak up, the Iranian authorities can continue to silence their voices. I encourage you all to use your voice, to raise international awareness and to open the debate on what we can do, because this is not about us; this is about standing with the people of Iran.

Let us use our power to unite and strongly condemn the executions and suppressions by the Iranian authorities, and increase support for Iranian human rights defenders.

  Magnus Brunner, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Members of the European Parliament, the EU strongly supports the fundamental aspiration of the people of Iran for a future where the human rights and also fundamental freedoms are respected, are protected and are fulfilled, at the end of the day.

The new Iranian Government pledged to shift Iran's policies, but unfortunately, to date, these pledges have not been followed by concrete action. On the contrary, actually, the space for civil society is shrinking more and more, and the pace of executions also is alarming. Each year sets a new, terrifying record, with more than 900 executions only last year, as we've heard before.

In this very critical context, the two female activists Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi were recently sentenced to death, and this is really appalling. There are no instances where the use of capital punishment to suppress domestic dissent is justified.

It is so crucial to hold the Iranian authorities accountable for human rights abuses and, of course, violations also. Following the killing of Mahsa Amini and the subsequent crackdown of protests, we spoke out very clearly and adopted 10 packages of targeted sanctions and we will, of course, continue to strongly support also the UN mechanisms for accountability, including the independent fact-finding established in the context of the 2022 nationwide protests.

At the same time, we continue to use our direct channels with Iran to urge the authorities to pursue a coherent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment and also to respect, of course, the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people.

Unfortunately, we also have other issues of concern with the Iran. The European Union strongly rejects Iran's continuing distressing practice of arbitrarily detaining foreign civilians. The recent release of the Italian journalist Cecilia Sala and the German-Iranian activist Nahid Taghavi is welcome news, of course.

However, notwithstanding these positive developments, there are still a number of EU citizens arbitrarily detained by Iran. Compared to two years ago, the number of EU citizens detained in Iran has decreased, but this is of course not enough. We want to see the release of all our citizens under arbitrary detention without any delay, and we will not rest until all EU citizens are released.

It is worth recalling that our efforts to free European citizens come in support of our Member States, who have the primary consular responsibility and with whom we have strengthened our coordination also in these issues. Also, the specific circumstances for each of the detainees are quite different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to get them out of detention. However, to be able to work for the safe release of our citizens, the European Union and its Member States must keep open diplomatic channels with Iran.

  Przewodnicząca. – Zamykam debatę.

Głosowanie nad tym punktem porządku obrad odbędzie się jutro, 23 stycznia 2025 r.