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

B90109/2024

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 Rules 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas Iran substantially increased executions, killing at least 834 persons in 2023, and at least 54 already in 2024;

B.whereas Mohammad Ghobadlou was executed on 23.01.2024 in connection with the nationwide protests, following a grossly unfair trial and confessions obtained under torture; whereas the Supreme Court ordered Ghobadlou´s retrial due to his mental disability; whereas the retrial never took place and Ghobadlou was executed unexpectedly;

C.whereas most death sentences follow charges on drug offenses or “intentional murder”, disproportionately targeting ethnic minorities;

1.Strongly condemns the sharp increase in the use of the death penalty by the Iranian regime against its citizens to spread fear and suppress dissent, disproportionately targeting ethnic minorities, such as Kurds and Baloch; expresses its continued support for the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in Iran;

2.Is appalled by the arbitrary und unlawful execution of 23-year old Mohammad Ghobadlou for his participation in the protest movement; expresses its compassion with Mohammad Ghobadlou, the many other arbitrarily executed and killed and their loved ones;

3.Urges Iran to stop using the death penalty; calls on Iran to immediately halt executions, release and retrial persons threatened with execution, like Anwar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh and Khosrow Basharat, in a due process, particularly for charges that under international law never result in capital punishment;

4.Demands the immediate unconditional release of arbitrarily detained foreign nationals, including Johan Floderus, for whom Iran´s prosecutor demands the death penalty;

5.Expresses its deep disturbance about reports on forced disappearance, torture, unfair trials; urges the Iranian government to cease such practices and respect the right to due process and fair trial;

6.Demands Iran to grant access to independent international observers to trials connected to the protests;

7.Urges Iranian authorities to provide the UN Fact-Finding Mission with full, unimpeded access to enact its mandate; calls on the EU and Member States to support the mission mandate´s extension and the renewal of the Special Rapporteur on Iran´s mandate at the UN Human Rights Council;

8.Welcomes the 23.1.24 EEAS statement on executions in Iran; encourages the HR/VP and EU Member States to denounce Iranian authorities’ use of capital punishment, unfair trials, confessions under torture and signal Iranian officials that ending systematic impunity in Iran remains an EU priority;

9.Calls on the Council to continue identifying and sanctioning perpetrators responsible for serious human rights violations;

10.Calls on EU member states to initiate criminal investigations against Iranian officials accountable for serious human rights violations, notably under universal jurisdiction;

11.Calls on the European Commission to increase technical and capacity support to Iranian civil society and allocate a larger budget for related activities, including considerable funds to implementing organisations;

12.Calls the Member States to facilitate visas, asylum and emergency grants for those who need to flee Iran, particularly women and girls;

13.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to EU institutions, HRVP, the Member States, and Iran;