11 February 2024 :
February 8, 2024 - IRAN. European Parliament Condemns Escalating Executions in Iran
Calls for International Sanctions and IRGC Designation
The European Parliament convened in Strasbourg on February 7 and 8, passing a joint resolution condemning the escalating executions in Iran, particularly the execution of political prisoner Mohammad Ghobadlou on January 23.
The resolution, supported by various groups within the European Parliament, called for international investigations into serious human rights violations committed by Iranian authorities and the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Highlighting the alarming rate of executions, with 800 reported in 2023 and 54 in January 2024 alone, the resolution strongly criticized the unfair trials leading to the condemnation of individuals, including Ghobadlou.
Furthermore, the European Parliament demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all death row inmates and prisoners of conscience, notably European citizens Ahmadreza Djalali and Johan Floderus. It urged for a bold and new strategy from the European Union towards the Iranian regime, emphasizing measures to counter its hostage diplomacy.
The resolution urged the European Council to push for the IRGC’s designation as a terrorist entity and to impose further sanctions against individuals and entities involved in severe human rights abuses, including the Supreme Leader, President, and Attorney General of the regime. Member states were urged to monitor trials according to EU guidelines on human rights defenders and to organize visits to prisons holding political prisoners, including EU nationals.
Additionally, member states were called upon to initiate criminal investigations into individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, including those covered by international jurisdiction. The resolution also supported the renewal of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and the establishment of an independent international fact-finding mission at the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council.
