On January 23, 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution addressing the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, specifically spotlighting the cases of Kurdish activists Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, along with the Islamic Republic’s continued use of hostage diplomacy targeting EU citizens.
Rising Repression and Death Penalties in Iran
The resolution highlights Iran’s sharp rise in executions, with over 900 recorded in 2024 alone, many of whom were women, political activists, and protesters involved in movements such as “Woman, Life, Freedom,” sparked by the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini. It draws attention to the harrowing cases of Azizi and Moradi—two prominent Kurdish women sentenced to death after unfair trials and allegations of torture during detention. Both activists are known for their advocacy for women’s rights and their roles in resisting ISIS in Kurdistan.
Hostage Diplomacy and Arbitrary Detentions
The European Parliament denounced Iran’s systematic detention of EU nationals as part of a broader strategy of leveraging hostages for political gains. Among those unjustly imprisoned are academics and humanitarians, such as Olivier Grondeau, Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris, and Ahmadreza Djalali. The resolution urges the immediate release of these detainees and calls for coordinated diplomatic efforts by EU Member States to end Iran’s exploitation of human lives in geopolitical negotiations.
Minority Persecution and International Accountability
The Iranian regime’s systemic oppression of ethnic and religious minorities, including Kurds, Baluchis, Christians, and Baha’is, was heavily criticized in the resolution. The Parliament reiterated its demand for unimpeded access to Iran for the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the fact-finding mission tasked with investigating the country’s worsening violations.
Calls for Action and Solidarity
The resolution demands an immediate moratorium on the death penalty and its eventual abolition, alongside the release of all political prisoners and human rights defenders. Furthermore, the European Parliament renewed its call for the EU Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and to expand sanctions against Iranian officials responsible for human rights abuses.
Expressing solidarity with the Iranian people and the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, the resolution also emphasizes the need for increased financial support for Iranian civil society groups.
Moving Forward
By urging transparency, justice, and accountability, the European Parliament reinforces its commitment to defending human rights and holding oppressive regimes accountable. The resolution underscores the international community’s role in amplifying the voices of Iranian activists and ensuring their fight for freedom and justice is not in vain.
Source » irannewsupdate