Resolution on the situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran.

The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, and Greens/EFA groups.

Members cited the cases of several EU-Iranian dual nationals detained in Iranian prisons.

They noted that the continuing practice of arrests of EU-Iranian dual citizens is followed by a pattern of prolonged solitary confinement and interrogations, lack of due process, denial of consular access or visits by the UN or humanitarian organisations, secretive trials in which the detainee is given limited access to counsel, long prison sentences based on vague or unspecified ‘national security’ and ‘espionage’ charges, and state-sponsored smear campaigns against the imprisoned individuals.

Parliament condemned the continuing practice of imprisonment of EU-Iranian dual nationals by the Iranian authorities under these circumstances and called for their immediate and unconditional release, or for retrial in accordance with international standards, and for the officials responsible for the violations of their rights to be held accountable. It condemned, following credible reports, the acts of torture and other cruel treatment carried out, particularly during interrogations.

Iranian authorities were asked to guarantee full access to lawyers and to medical treatment, and to respect the human dignity of the prisoners. Iran must take the necessary steps with a view to revision of the law in order to ensure fair trials and to put an end to forced confessions made as a result of torture.

Parliament called on the European External Action Service and the Commission to establish an internal task force in support of EU nationals who are facing the death penalty or manifestly unfair trials in third countries, in order to enhance the support available from their national consular or diplomatic services.

The VP/HR and Member States were asked to:

• raise the issues of prison conditions and violations of human rights with the authorities, and particularly the cases of the EU-Iranian dual nationals imprisoned in Iran, in order to put an end to cruel and inhumane treatment in Iranian prisons;
• systematically raise human rights concerns with the Iranian authorities, including the situation of political prisoners and human rights defenders and freedom of expression and association.

Lastly, Parliament called on the Iranian authorities to cooperate with the embassies of EU Member States in Tehran in order to establish a list of EU-Iranian dual nationals currently detained in Iranian prisons, and to closely monitor each individual case.