On the increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou

B90102/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou

(2024/2551(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas on 23 January 2024, 23-year-old protester Mohammad Ghobadlou was executed in Iran; whereas Ghobadlou was arrested during the “Woman Life Freedom” uprising in September 2022, accused of killing an Iranian official; whereas Ghobadlou was charged with “corruption on earth”, following a reportedly unfair trial marred by torture allegations; whereas appeals to take into account his mental condition were rejected;

B. Whereas Iranian authorities have recently escalated executions at an alarming rate; whereas the death penalty is disproportionately used against members of minorities and protesters, and minors are also executed;

C. Whereas the death penalty is frequently imposed based on forced confessions extracted through torture and ill-treatment and after unfair trials;

1.Condemns the execution of Ghobadlou and the sharp spike in the use of the death penalty in Iran; strongly advocates for the abolition of the death penalty globally;

2.Joins UN experts’ call urging Iran to respect international law and stop horrific executions of protesters;

3.Condemns the use of the death penalty as a tool of repression following the “Woman Life Freedom” uprising to crush dissent and terrorize the population; calls on Iran to immediately halt further executions of all individuals sentenced to death, including European citizens; reminds the Iranian authorities of their obligations under international law to prohibit death sentences against minors;

4.Strongly supports the campaign to abolish the death penalty launched by imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi and other women political prisoners;

5.Strongly condemns the use of torture and other ill-treatment against defendants, including sexual violence; recalls that confessions obtained under duress must not be invoked as evidence in any proceedings;

6.Condemns the lack of fair trials;

7.Condemns the Iranian government’s use of criminal procedures to punish the exercise of the rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly; calls on Iranian authorities to ensure a safe environment for activists, including women’s rights defenders;

8.Supports the extension and renewal of the mandates of the UN Fact Finding Mission on Iran and of the Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran; calls on Iran to cooperate with them, including by allowing them to enter the country and granting them access to capital trials;

9.Calls on the EU and its Member States to ensure that those fleeing persecution and human rights violations in Iran, including women and girls, have safe and legal pathways to the EU as well as access to fair and effective asylum procedures; calls on the EU and its Member states to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers who are survivors of torture, including of sexual violence, receive the medical and psychological treatment and social support necessary for their rehabilitation;

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