Increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou

European Parliament resolution of 8 February 2024 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(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas over 800 individuals were executed in Iran in 2023, the highest figure since 2015, and over 500 protesters were killed as part of the ongoing suppression of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement; whereas minorities are disproportionately affected;

B.whereas the appeal by Mohammad Ghobadlou, a 23-year-old with intellectual disabilities, against his death sentence was rejected on 23 January 2024 and he was executed; whereas his unfair trial was marred by torture allegations and secrecy;

C.whereas the UNHRC reported that at least 54 people were executed in January 2024; whereas, according to Human Rights Watch, at least 11 prisoners, including Anwar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh and Khosrow Basharat, are currently at risk of imminent execution;

D.whereas Iran routinely uses hostage diplomacy as a foreign policy tool;

1.Strongly condemns the executions of peaceful demonstrators in Iran, including that of Mohammad Ghobadlou; deplores the regime’s extensive use of the death penalty to terrorise society and stamp out dissent; stresses that it amounts to state-sanctioned killing; urges Iran to commute all death sentences and completely abolish the death penalty; reiterates its firm opposition to the death penalty at all times under all circumstances; fully supports the abolition campaign launched by imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi; reiterates its continued support for Iran’s ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement;

2.Calls for the unconditional and immediate release of everyone arbitrarily on death row and all prisoners of conscience, including EU nationals, notably Ahmadreza Djalali and Johan Floderus;

3.Calls for a new and bold EU strategy on Iran, including countering its hostage diplomacy;

4.Reiterates its unwavering call on the Council to designate the IRGC a terrorist organisation and impose further EU sanctions on officials and entities involved in serious human rights violations, including the Supreme Leader, the President and the Prosecutor-General;

5.Reiterates its condemnation of Iran’s brutal repression of peaceful protesters, in particular women and minorities; calls for an impartial, independent and transparent investigation into allegations of human rights violations against protesters;

6.Calls on Iran to uphold due process; condemns the appalling detention conditions, widespread use of torture, including sexual violence, and lack of access to medical treatment and legal representation;

7.Urges the Member States to monitor trials and organise visits to prisons where prisoners of conscience are detained, including EU nationals, in line with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders;

8.Calls on the Member States to initiate criminal investigations into officials responsible for serious human rights violations, including under universal jurisdiction;

9.Urges the Commission to increase technical and budgetary support for a strong and independent Iranian civil society; calls on the Member States to facilitate visas, asylum and emergency grants for those who need to flee Iran;

10.Calls on the Member States to support the renewal of the mandates of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session;

11.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR and the Iranian authorities.