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

B100085/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages

(2025/2511(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,

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

whereas the systematic violations of women’s rights by Iran and its ‘morality’ police have not decreased under President Pezeshkian;

whereas Pakhshan Azizi, a civil activist and social worker temporarily being detained and faced with national security charges, was pressured to confess and received the death sentence; whereas Wrisha Moradi, a civil rights activist focused on women’s and student issues in Sanandaj of Kurdistan Province, is still behind bars on the charge of “armed insurrection,” for which she received the death sentence;

whereas at least a dozen European citizens from different countries are illegally detained in Iran; whereas Iran conducts an hostage diplomacy where it uses the detention of western nationals, dual citizens, or Iranian citizens residing in western countries as leverage in diplomatic negotiations;

whereas in Iran converts from Islam to Christianity face severe religious freedom violations; whereas at least 139 Christians were arrested in 2024 on account of their religious beliefs;

Strongly condemns the death sentence handed down to Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi on fabricated charges, and call for their immediate and unconditional release;

Deplores the Iranian Government’s unjust imprisonment and mistreatment of Pakshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi; demands the Iranian regime to allow Pakshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi to access family visits and legal representation of their choice; urges the provision of health care to Wrisha Moradi who went on an indefinite hunger strike and suffered from her deteriorating health;

Reiterates its strong opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances; calls on the Government of Iran to introduce an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty as a step towards abolishing and to commute all death sentences;

Condemns the surge in wrongful arrests, lengthy sentences, and physical torture of members of religious and ethnic minorities, including Kurds, Baha’is, and Christians;

Call for the immediate and unconditional release of all EU citizens held hostage in Iran; condemns Iran’s practice of hostage diplomacy and urges EU institutions, member states, and the international community to develop a strategy within the framework of the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations to deter such actions;

Urges the Iranian authorities to repeal all legislation that discriminates against human rights defenders, women, and minority activists;

Reiterates its call on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, noting that the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court’s ruling on the 2022 Bochum synagogue attack now provides the necessary legal grounds and to expand the EU sanctions list, including under the EU Global Human Rights sanctions mechanisms, to state officials and political leaders responsible for human rights violations in Iran;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the VP/HR, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and the Office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.