European Union Parliament Joint motion for a resolution on torture in Iran - January 05

Doc. : B6-0036/2005, B6-0040/2005, B6-0044/2005, B6-0052/2005, B6-0054/2005, B6-0057/2005, B6-0058/2005

Debate/Vote : 13.01.2005

MEPs adopted a joint resolution by 104 votes in favour, 2 against with 5 abstentions reiterating their general opposition to the death penalty, and in particular strongly condemning the death sentences against and/or the execution of juvenile offenders, pregnant women and mentally handicapped persons. The House calls on the Iranian authorities to give evidence that they are implementing their declared moratorium on stoning, and demands the immediate implementation of the ban on torture as announced, passed by Parliament and approved by the Guardian Council. MEPs condemns the campaign by the judiciary against journalists, cyberjournalists and webloggers leading to the closure of publications, imprisonment, and, according to reports, widespread torture and forced false confessions, and calls on the authorities to release all those detained, prosecuted or sentenced for non-violent press- and opinion-related offences.

The House calls on the Iranian Parliament to adapt the Iranian press law and penal code in the light of Iran's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and, notably, to repeal all criminal law provisions concerning the peaceful expression of opinion, including in the press. Parliament calls upon the authorities to respect internationally recognised legal safeguards, inter alia with regard to persons belonging to religious minorities, officially recognised or otherwise. MEPs welcome the stay of execution concerning Hajieh Esmailvand, and reports that Leyla Moafi's case has been referred to forensic psychiatrists 'to examine her mental condition'; insists, however, that their alleged 'crimes' are not internationally recognisable criminal offences and that their prosecution does not comply with international human rights standards. Parliament insists that adult consensual sexual activity in private is covered by the concept of 'privacy' and calls for the immediate release of all persons held for such activity. MEPs welcome and support the EU-Iran negotiating process on nuclear issues, also as an occasion to promote progress in the EU-Iran political and human rights dialogues and EU-Iran economic and trade relations, and supports the Council in expecting action by Iran to address also other concerns of the EU, such as ending its support for terrorist organisations, improving respect for human rights and altering its approach to the Middle East peace process. Finally, Parliament hopes that the setting-up of its interparliamentary delegation for relations with Iran will enable it to engage in productive discussions with the Iranian Parliament and also with Iranian civil society.