Rapporti verbatim tad-dibattiti

Il-Ħamis, 20 ta' Jannar 2011 - Strasburgu

11.3. L-Iran, b'mod partikolari l-każ ta' Nasrin Sotoudeh

  President. − The next item is the debate on seven motions for resolutions on Iran, in particular the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh⁽¹⁾.

  Bastiaan Belder, Auteur. − Mijnheer de Voorzitter, precies een week geleden publiceerde Nobelprijswinnares Shirin Ebadi in de Wallstreet Journal een indringend artikel over haar vriendin, de Iraanse mensenrechtenadvocaat Nasrin Sotoudeh, die juist tot elf jaar gevangenisstraf was veroordeeld. Ebadi riep op tot grotere westerse aandacht voor de zaak Sotoudeh, voor alle moedige verdedigers van de mensenrechten op het grondgebied van de Islamitische Republiek Iran.

Het debat in dit Huis vormt mede een antwoord op het klemmende appel van Ebadi. Wij mogen en willen Nasrin Sotoudeh niet vergeten, noch haar medestrijders voor de grondrechten in Iran. Dat zal ook blijken, mijnheer de Voorzitter, collega's, uit het verslag dat ik namens de Commissie buitenlandse zaken in maart aan de plenaire vergadering hoop voor te leggen, waarvoor ik op uw aller stem reken. Eén krachtige eensgezinde Europese stem voor de vrijheden van het Iraanse volk.

  Marietje Schaake, author. − Mr President, once again we are forced to speak about human rights in Iran, after Nasrin Sotoudeh was sentenced to 11 years in jail. She is banned from practising law, but let us serve justice.

The Rule of Law is no longer practised or existent in Iran, and the judiciary is highly politicised. Defending human rights is now considered an act against national security. Nasrin Sotoudeh, lawyer and mother of two, is charged with acting against national security. She defended, among others, Zahra Bahrami, an Iranian-Dutch citizen who was sentenced to death before Dutch diplomats had talked to her, and in a climate of serious doubts about due process.

As strong a woman as Nasrin Sotoudeh is and was, by standing for justice, we see a weak regime that represses its citizens instead of providing for their well-being. High Representative Ashton will be in Istanbul later this month in an attempt to bring the Iranian regime to cooperate with the international community on the nuclear issue. Economic sanctions have the same aim. I doubt they will render the desired result before disproportionately hurting the people of Iran who, as a result, become more and more dependent on the hardline government.

However, while I am sceptical about the impact of economic sanctions, I am confident that sanctions against individuals responsible for violating human rights through, for example, censorship, rape, torture and executions, will be an effective and necessary step to end impunity and to honour the justice that Nasrin Sotoudeh stood for. Human rights are clearly the Achilles heel of the Iranian regime.

Mr President, while I have the floor, may I ask you to encourage our Italian colleagues to be quiet because it is really distracting when they start speaking in the Chamber after their business has been dealt with.

  President. − Colleagues, you heard the request made by Mrs Schaake. Other colleagues have also asked if you could be quiet. If you have something private to discuss you can do so outside.

  Struan Stevenson, author. − Mr President, it was my intention today to compare the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nazi Germany but I have to say that I think in many ways it can be even worse. The mullahs have hanged 65 people so far this year. Ten were hanged yesterday: first they were heavily fined and had their homes confiscated and then each was mercilessly flogged before being dragged to the gallows. Eighty-seven people have been hanged in the past four weeks.

Ahmadinejad is a holocaust denier and a hater of the Jews; he says he wants to wipe Israel off the map and he is now building nuclear weapons that will enable him to do so. He and Khamenei preside over the ruthless suppression of the citizens of Iran, with hangings, torture, stoning to death, amputations and floggings all commonplace, and the execution of children, and even pregnant women, routine. Two prisoners in Mashhad had their hands amputated this week; two others have been sentenced to amputation and these verdicts will be carried out soon.

Anyone who tries to expose this evil is immediately targeted. Nasrin Sotoudeh is a case in point: a courageous human rights lawyer who has defended many of the innocent people unjustly sentenced and executed by this fascist regime. Her outrageous sentence of 11 years’ imprisonment for doing her job is an insult to humanity. The real criminals are the tyrants in Tehran and they will be held to account. They believe that their critics in the West are part of an international conspiracy to topple their regime. Well, I for one would sign up to that project today. Evil must never be allowed to prevail, and the sooner we can see freedom, democracy, humanity and women’s rights restored to Iran the better it will be for the whole world.

  Rosario Crocetta, Autore. − Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nel chiedere l'immediata liberazione di Nasrin Sotoudeh invitiamo l'Unione e i suoi paesi a fare di più per liberare i cittadini iraniani e il mondo dall'incubo di uno dei regimi più crudeli e autoritari della storia.

La Repubblica islamica dell'Iran non si caratterizza soltanto per le minacce alla pace mondiale con un progetto nucleare in grado di evocare il terrore di una guerra atomica, ma anche per l'illegittimità delle elezioni; gli arresti di massa nei confronti di quanti chiedono libere consultazioni; le uccisioni di oppositori; lo stupro e la violenza nei confronti di coloro che non si allineano al regime; l'iniquità dei processi giudiziari, le cui decisioni sono prevedibili al momento della formulazione delle accuse; le discriminazioni profonde nei confronti delle donne e degli omosessuali; l'assenza di libertà di espressione e di associazione. Singolare è la situazione dei detenuti iraniani nel campo di Ashraf, sottoposti a violenze e persino lapidazioni.

Ogni giorno in Iran vengono condannate a morte almeno due persone, anche minori, colpevoli di non essere graditi al regime. Le prove giudiziarie vengono spesso costruite attraverso l'uso scellerato e sapiente delle torture feroci e sicuramente queste critiche non sono rivolte all'Islam, che è basato sulla pace, ma nei confronti di un regime, quello iraniano. L'arresto e la condanna della signora Nasrin Sotoudeh fa emergere un nuovo livello di perfidia giudiziaria, in quanto in questo caso tale attacco, e tale condanna, vengono esercitati nei confronti di un difensore dei cittadini e quindi non si dà la possibilità perfino ai cittadini iraniani di difendersi.

  Cristian Dan Preda, Autor. − Dacă există, poate, un început de deschidere din partea Iranului în dosarul nuclear, trebuie, din păcate, să constatăm că uşa e în mod clar închisă, în această ţară, atunci când este vorba despre drepturile omului.

Cazul lui Nasrin Sotoudeh demonstrează pe deplin acest lucru. Ea a fost pedepsită pentru munca în favoarea drepturilor omului printr-o sentinţă extrem de dură: 11 ani de închisoare, 20 de ani de interdicţie de a profesa ca avocat, interdicţia de a părăsi teritoriul. Această decizie a fost luată în urma unui simulacru de proces.

Cazul acesta este departe de a fi un incident izolat. El face parte dintr-o strategie deliberată a regimului iranian de a reduce sistematic la tăcere apărătorii drepturilor omului. O întreagă serie de sentinţe foarte dure ţintesc avocaţii activi în materie de drepturile omului şi trebuie să fim solidari cu cei care, oameni de curaj, susţin, acţionează, în ciuda ameninţărilor, a torturii şi a pedepselor cu închisoarea, drepturile omului.

  Raül Romeva i Rueda, author. − Mr President, I have to stay that I deeply deplore the fact that we once more have to talk about Iran, but we have to. We really have to because the situation in Iran is gravely problematic and dramatic.

That is why it is important that this Parliament reiterates once again its call for the release of all prisoners of conscience, including all those who have been detained over the last year in connection with their peaceful – and I repeat, peaceful – political and human rights activities. This Parliament has to call again on the Iranian authorities to respect the internationally recognised rights to freedom of expression and assembly, and strongly condemn the extraordinarily harsh sentence against Nasrin Sotoudeh and to commend her for her courage and her engagement.

This is also why this Parliament has to consider Mrs Sotoudeh, as well as her fellow human rights activists and prisoners of conscience, and demand her immediate release. We have to express our concern over the ever more frequently imposed sentence of a ban on leaving Iran, which can lead to the logical conclusion that staying in Iran is considered a punishment by the authorities.

We have to call on the authorities to combat the impunity of human rights violators within the security forces and also reiterate our demand for an independent investigation into allegations of extra-judicial executions since June’s disputed presidential elections and for alleged violators to be brought to justice. Evidently, we also have to strongly condemn the bomb attack in Chabahar and to express our condolences to the victims’ families and the injured.

Finally, I should like to say that we are seriously concerned about the persecution of certain religions and ethnic groups in Iran. We have to express our conviction, supported by recent European history, that peaceful and balanced social and political development can only be achieved by taking the cultural and social aspirations of differing regions into account.

  Bogusław Sonik, w imieniu grupy PPE. – Panie Przewodniczący! Nasrin Sotudeh już wcześniej dała nam podstawy do debaty na forum europejskim nad brakiem ochrony praw człowieka w Iranie, kiedy 4 września 2010 roku pod zarzutem antypaństwowej propagandy oraz zmowy i gromadzenia się w celu działania przeciwko bezpieczeństwu państwowemu została aresztowana na 4 miesiące. Teraz po procesie skazano tę wybitną obrończynię praw człowieka oraz oddaną współpracowniczkę noblistki Shirin Ebadi na 11 lat więzienia, 20 lat zakazu wykonywania zawodu oraz zakaz opuszczania Iranu. Pamiętajmy, że długie wyroki więzienia otrzymali także inni więźniowie polityczni: 26-letnia aktywistka praw kobiet Shiva Nazar Ahari została skazana na 4 lata i 74 baty za takie samo przestępstwo.

Trzeba jasno podkreślić sprzeciw wobec jawnego łamania podstawowych praw człowieka, jakimi są: wolność zgromadzeń, wypowiedzi, prawo wolności myśli czy prawo do rzetelnego procesu sądowego. Nasrin Sotudeh, która poświęciła swoje życie walce w imię obrony praw człowieka, broniąc nieletnich skazanych na karę śmierci, osób oskarżonych o wywoływanie pokojowych protestów, ściśle współpracując z opozycją, stała się żywym dowodem łamania praw człowieka w Iranie. Unia Europejska nie może pozostać biernym obserwatorem tej nierównej walki irańskiego społeczeństwa z reżimem.

  Corina Creţu, în numele grupului S&D. – Ne alăturăm şi noi cererii de eliberare necondiţionată şi imediată a lui Nasrin Sotoudeh şi a tuturor prizonierilor de opinie din Iran. După fraudele electorale ce au menţinut regimul Ahmadinejad la putere, mii de iranieni au plătit cu preţul libertăţii curajul de a protesta faţă de un regim tot mai represiv. Nasrin Sotoudeh a fost condamnată, după luni de izolare şi tortură, la 11 ani de închisoare, pentru că, în calitate de avocată şi militantă pentru drepturile omului, a apărat opozanţi ai puterii de la Teheran, printre care şi laureata premiului Nobel pentru pace.

Alături de numeroşi dizidenţi, în închisorile iraniene suferă rele tratamente şi zeci de jurnalişti şi bloggeri care au îndrăznit să îşi exercite libertatea esenţială de exprimare a propriei conştiinţe. Cred că angajamentul Uniunii Europene în favoarea eliberării acestor luptători pentru democraţie trebuie să ia nu numai forma protestului public, ci şi a unor demersuri concrete ale Serviciului European de Acţiune Externă, în vederea mobilizării internaţionale pentru o presiune comună sporită, în vederea încetării acestor încălcări ale drepturilor omului în Iran.

  Charles Tannock, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, we should never forget in this House that the freedom to debate and dissent that we so much enjoy in Europe is scarce and non-existent in many parts of the world. Nowhere is this more obvious than in Iran.

Yet again in this House we find ourselves discussing the appalling human rights situation in that Islamic Republic. As a lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh has helped many opposition supporters who were detained and harassed following the rigged presidential election 18 months ago. She has also represented minors on death row, truly a heroic job in a country that executes children with alacrity. She was arrested in September last year on charges of spreading propaganda and conspiring to harm state security. Now she has been sentenced to 11 years in prison and banned from practising law for 20 years.

She should be released immediately and unconditionally. I call upon the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to make that point.

Parliament and Commission have been resolute in highlighting the human rights abuses of the brutal – almost disgusting – Ahmadinejad regime. It is time that the Council put the EU’s common values ahead of Member States’ individual commercial interests in that country.

  Marco Scurria (PPE). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, Signor Commissario, stiamo affrontando l'ennesimo dibattito sulla violazione dei diritti umani e della democrazia in Iran, questa volta è il caso di un avvocato che tutela gli attivisti dei diritti umani in Iran.

Si è pensato infatti di risolvere il problema alla radice: non imprigionare più soltanto chi lotta per i propri diritti, ma direttamente chi li difende, così, tanto per far capire un po' l'aria che tira per chi si vuole opporre al regime di Ahmadinejad.

Scommetto sin da ora, Signor Presidente, che nel giro di poche settimane saremo ancora in quest'Aula a parlare di un altro e ulteriore caso di violazione di ogni elementare diritto in Iran, travestito da qualche risibile, se non fosse drammatica, motivazione di reato quale l'attività contro la sicurezza nazionale o la propaganda contro il regime, come nel caso di cui stiamo discutendo oggi.

Mi chiedo sinceramente, Signor Presidente, se è il caso che il nostro Parlamento continui ad avere una delegazione per i rapporti con un regime che è l'esatto opposto di tutto ciò su cui si fonda l'Unione europea.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). - Mr President, once again we have an appalling situation coming out of Iran. Prior to Christmas we discussed the situation of Sakineh Ashtiani, who was condemned to death by stoning for alleged adultery, a sentence subsequently commuted to death by hanging for alleged murder. Today we have the unfortunate situation of Nasrin Soutoudeh, who has been condemned to 11 years in jail for doing her job. She has had her assets frozen and has been denied access to her own lawyer. Her husband was arrested during the week for – and I quote – ‘spreading lies and disrupting public opinion’. Figure that one out!

I think all we can do is use our influence to the best of our ability to try and bring an end to this evil madness, particularly the maltreatment and disrespect of women. Those two examples have been cases in point.

  George Sabin Cutaş (S&D). - Condamnarea militantei pentru drepturile omului, Nasrin Sotoudeh, reflectă fragilitatea respectului pentru drepturile omului în Iran. De la controversata realegere a preşedintelui Ahmadinejad, în iunie 2009, toate protestele au fost reprimate brutal, mii de cetăţeni fiind arestaţi şi câteva sute suferind deja condamnări.

Sancţionarea abuzivă a doamnei Nasrin Sotoudeh la 11 ani de închisoare a fost provocată de faptul că, în calitate de avocat, a apărat numeroşi opozanţi arestaţi în cursul demonstraţiilor de după alegerile prezidenţiale. De asemenea, i s-au imputat interviurile acordate presei străine în această perioadă. Ne aflăm în faţa unui caz tipic de încălcare a dreptului la libera exprimare, a dreptului avocaţilor de a-şi practica meseria fără presiuni şi constrângeri, dar şi a dreptului inculpatului la un proces imparţial.

În acest context, ţin să amintesc Comisiei şi Consiliului că orice cooperare între Uniunea Europeană şi Iran trebuie să pornească de la premisa obligativităţii respectării drepturilor omului.

  Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR). - Panie Przewodniczący! Jest to kolejna sprawa, która bulwersuje europejską opinię publiczną, bulwersuje nas parlamentarzystów. To jest tak, że jeżeli w tym samym państwie co chwilę mamy do czynienia z sytuacjami, które ewidentnie łamią prawa człowieka, należy zastanowić się nad strukturą i odpowiedzialnością tego państwa. Ewidentnie widać, że poszanowanie własnych tradycji, własnej obyczajowości z uznaniem jednak pewnych ogłoszonych standardów, także standardów europejskich – tu chodzi o prawa człowieka – w parze nie idzie. Ta sprawa jest oczywista. Dobrze, że Parlament Europejski tym się zajął. Pytanie tylko o kwestię presji politycznej, bo jest to jakby kolejna sprawa, w której Parlament Europejski zabiera głos, gdy chodzi o Iran, i nie odnosi większego skutku. Być może należy przystąpić do presji znacznie bardziej mocnej niż dotychczas.

  Jaroslav Paška (EFD). - Aktivisti a advokáti bojujúci za ľudské práva v Iráne sú dlhodobo perzekvovaní a zadržiavaní a odsúdenie právničky Nasrín Sutúdeovej je smutnou súčasťou týchto perzekúcií.

Rovnako sa iránsky režim zachoval aj k aktivistke Šivi Nazaháriovej, právnikovi Mohamádovi Seifzadovi a advokátovi Mohamádovi Olijafarovi. A podobný osud hrozí aj ďalším aktivistom.

Represie v Iráne sa stále viac stupňujú a naše snahy o zlepšenie týchto pomerov neprinášajú žiadny efekt. Zvôľa vládnej moci proti tým, ktorí majú voči režimu výhrady, už dosahuje takú mieru, že sa treba začať vážne zaoberať zmenou politiky voči tejto krajine a zvážiť ďalšie možnosti efektívnejšieho tlaku na iránsku administratívu tak, aby sme pomohli iránskemu ľudu slobodnejšie dýchať. Isteže, nebude to ľahké, ale myslím si, že je to našou povinnosťou skúsiť zmeniť pomery v Iráne.

  Sari Essayah (PPE). - Arvoisa puhemies, Nasrin Sotoudeh on yksi Iranin tunnetuimmista ihmisoikeusasianajajista ja hän on muun muassa puolustanut rauhannobelisti Shirin Ebadia. Hänen asiakkainaan on ollut myös alaikäisenä kuolemaantuomittuja ja perheväkivallan uhreja. Hänen ainoa rikoksensa on se, että hän on harjoittanut omaa ammattiaan, eli puolustanut puolustuskyvyttömiä henkilöitä Iranin julmaa hallintoa vastaan.

Vuoden 2009 vaalien jälkeiset levottomuudet ja niiden seuraukset ovat johtaneet siihen, että Iranin viranomaiset ovat ryhtyneet ankariin toimenpiteisiin ihmisoikeuksien puolustajia ja aktivisteja vastaan. Iranin hallituksen päämääränä on kertakaikkisesti hiljentää koko oppositio niin Iranin sisällä kuin sen ulkopuolella.

Tämä parlamentti on vedonnut muun muassa Ahvazissa olevien ihmisten puolesta ja jättänyt asiasta yksimielisen kirjallisen kannanoton. On kummallista, että kansainvälinen yhteisö ei voi tehdä mitään koko tämän julman hallinnon pois saamiseksi.

  Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg (S&D). - Panie Przewodniczący! W trakcie poprzedniej debaty o łamaniu praw człowieka w Iranie, która miała miejsce w tej izbie zaledwie cztery miesiące temu, w moim wystąpieniu informowałam, że codziennie pięciu obywateli Iranu dowiaduje się, że wkrótce straci życie w wyniku kary śmierci. Do tej tragicznej statystyki należy dodać także wyroki wielu lat więzienia dla irańskich prawników stających w obronie ofiar tamtejszego wymiaru sprawiedliwości. Te dwa ostatnie słowa wypadałoby chyba wziąć w cudzysłów. 47-letnia Nasrin Sotudeh, aresztowana 4 września, torturowana i skazana na jedenaście lat więzienia, jest tego przykładem.

Represje spotkały także innych irańskich prawników. Shiva Nazar Ahari, współzałożycielka Komitetu Praw Człowieka, otrzymała wyrok czterech lat więzienia, Mohammad Seifzadeh, dziewięciu lat więzienia i zakaz wykonywania zawodu przez dziesięć lat, Mohammad Olyaeifard, rok więzienia za sam fakt reprezentowania przed sądem swoich klientów. Myślę, że wykorzystując pozycję negocjacyjną wysokiej przedstawiciel ds. polityki zagranicznej i bezpieczeństwa powinniśmy naciskać, by temat obrońców praw człowieka został pilnie włączony do rozmów z Iranem.

  Monica Luisa Macovei (PPE). - Cazul avocatei Nasrin Sotoudeh este foarte grav. A primit 11 ani de închisoare, interdicţia de a practica avocatura şi interdicţia de a părăsi ţara 20 de ani. Ce a făcut? A apărat-o pe Shirin Ebadi, laureată a Premiului Nobel pentru pace, pe alţi activişti politici, pe apărători ai drepturilor omului, jurnalişti şi minori condamnaţi la pedeapsa cu moartea.

Începând cu 2009, cel puţin 15 avocaţi de drepturile omului au primit pedepse cu închisoarea în Iran. Prin astfel de măsuri, Iranul încalcă drepturi fundamentale ale omului şi principiile fundamentale ONU ale rolului avocatului. Solicit Comisiei şi Consiliului să intervină pentru eliberarea imediată a avocatei Nasrin Sotoudeh.

  Štefan Füle, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, the European Union remains extremely concerned about the grave and deteriorating situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Over the last two years, conditions have gone from being difficult to being near impossible for those who work to defend human rights.

For Nasrin Sotoudeh and many others like her who work to defend the just causes of fundamental rights and freedom, working from jail is not an option. The impact of her arrest is clear: those in Iran who are brave enough to stand up for those whom the state itself is supposed to protect risk being intimidated, imprisoned or worse.

The European Union has been speaking out; more than ten statements were released in 2010 by High Representative and Vice-President Ashton on both the general situation and on individual cases. At the same time, the European Union undertook discreet demarches with the Iranian authorities seeking clarifications and explanations, and conveying clear messages on the need to improve the situation in Iran. A statement on Nasrin Sotoudeh’s case was made by High Representative and Vice-President Ashton on 14 January 2011, which mentioned both Ms Sotoudeh and Ms Shiva Nazar Ahari, a lawyer and a journalist, sentenced respectively to eleven and four years in prison.

The Islamic Republic of Iran was recently elected to the membership of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Mrs Sotoudeh and Ms Ahari are two women who have been deprived of the very rights they were fighting to protect. The European Union will continue reminding the Iranian authorities that, first and foremost, they must comply with those international obligations stemming from the multilateral agreements and conventions they have signed and ratified. We will continue seeking ways to make our action in defence of human rights more effective, using all the means at our disposal. The Iranian people deserve no less.

  Bernd Posselt (PPE). - Herr Präsident! Wir haben hier im Parlament eine ganz überflüssige Arbeitsgruppe, wie man das Plenum interessanter machen kann. Diese Gruppe hätte heute das Plenum studieren sollen. Man braucht nur Zeit, deshalb lassen Sie uns auch den Donnerstagnachmittag. Man braucht den richtigen Präsidenten, der streng und flexibel zugleich ist. Dann hat man ein lebendiges und interessantes Plenum.

(Beifall)

  President. − The debate is closed.

The vote will take place shortly.

Written statements (Rule 149)

  Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE), kirjallinen. – Arvoisa puhemies, aktiivisten ihmisoikeuspuolustajien tilanne Iranissa käy yhä hankalammaksi. Lisäksi saamme lukea kasvavasta kuolemaantuomittujen määrästä. Aikaisemmin kiireellisiin päätöslauselmiimme noussut Alankomaiden kansalainen Zahra Bahrami tuomittiin kuolemaan ja hänen asianajajansa Nasrin Sotoudeh sai 11 vuoden vankeustuomion "kansallisen turvallisuuden vaarantamisesta".

Kuten tiedämme, Iranin oikeuslaitosta leimaa syvä epäoikeudenmukaisuuden ja läpinäkyvyyden puute. Siksi on tärkeää, että unionin ulkoasioiden ja turvallisuuspolitiikan korkea edustaja ei päästä maata liian helpolla, vaan jatkaa ihmisoikeuskysymysten esiin nostamista suhteissa Iraniin. Vähimmäisvaatimuksina listattakoon ihmisoikeusjuristi Sotoudehin sekä muiden mielipidevankien välitön ja ehdoton vapauttaminen, Bahramin kuolemantuomion uudelleen harkinta ja Alankomaiden viranomaisten päästäminen mukaan käsittelyyn sekä Punaisen ristin edustajien päästäminen vankitapaamisiin ja ihmisoikeusjärjestöjen päästäminen maahan arvioimaan tilannetta.

  Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein (PPE), na piśmie. – Parlament Europejski musi reagować na przypadki łamania praw człowieka. Musimy pamiętać, że dzięki nagłaśnianiu konkretnych przypadków społeczność międzynarodowa może wywierać większą presję na kraje, które nie przestrzegają ogólnie uznanych standardów demokratycznych. Nasrin Sotoudeh reprezentowała w procesach irańskich aktywistów obywatelskich, działaczy praw człowieka oraz niepełnoletnich skazanych na śmierć. Władze irańskie uznały jej działalność za „szerzenie wrogiej propagandy” oraz skazały na 11 lat więzienia. Dobrze się stało, że jej przypadek pojawił się na obradach sesji plenarnej Parlamentu Europejskiego. Parlament Europejski wzywający do wypuszczenia Nasrin Sotoudeh oraz innych więźniów sumienia, a także ustanowienia niezależnej komisji do zbadania procesów obrońców praw człowieka nie powinien być ignorowany.

(1) See Minutes.