On the increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran

B100186/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran

(2024/2951(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas women are entitled to full equality under both Iranian law and international human rights conventions;

Whereas both domestic and international law guarantees the freedom of assembly;

Whereas eight special UN rapporteurs have raised concerns over recent alarming increase in the systematic targeting of Baha’i women;

D. Whereas article 18 of the UDHR enshrines that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;

E. Whereas Iran, as a signatory to the ICCPR, is obligated to respect and ensure the freedom of religion or belief;

F. Whereas article 14 of the Iranian Constitution obligates the government to treat all non-Muslims with fairness and justice;

G. Whereas Ahoo Daryaei, following Mahsa Amini, has become a symbol of women’s struggle in Iran; whereas after being harassed by Basij militias for not wearing the hijab, she removed her clothes at her university; whereas Iranian authorities committed her to a psychiatric hospital;

H. Whereas this Parliament has not adopted a single resolution on Palestinian women since the beginning of the genocide;

Is particularly worried about the increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran;

Stands alongside women, civil society and all citizens struggling for equal rights, the rights to peaceful protest and expression ;

Condemns the sentencing of human rights defenders such as Zia Nabavi and Mohammad Habibi, whistle blowers denouncing the poisoning of school girls and demanding accountability; calls for the immediate release of all human rights defenders;

Calls on Iranian authorities to respect the rights of women to protest and to choose to wear or not to wear religious veils; calls on the authorities to repeal discriminatory laws on governing dress codes ; notes beside that a clear separation of state and religion prevents religious interference in the functioning of government and of any public interference in religious affairs ;

Notes with concern that Ahoo Daryae and other critics are sent to psychiatric internment to discredit their dissent, a strategy often targeting women under patriarchal notions of hysteria;

Denounces the systemic persecution of Bahá'ís and other minorities which constitutes a clear violation of Iran’s obligations under international law and its own constitutional principles;

Calls for the release of the group of unjustly detained Bahá'ís women, including Neda Emadi and Parastoo Hakim;

Calls on the Iranian authorities to protect girls’ right to education and protect worker’s rights;

Urges Iran to abolish death penalty and strongly condemn the executions ;

Urges EU Member States to reinforce their humanitarian visas policies to persecuted women and human rights defenders in Iran;

Stresses that further isolating Iran at global level can have detrimental consequences, such as strengthening hardliners of the regimen, further degrading women’s right as well as contributing to nuclear proliferation;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the authorities of Iran, the EU Member States, the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the EEAS and the UN.