Resolution on systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages

The European Parliament adopted by 556 votes to 6, with 42 abstentions, a resolution on the systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages.

The text adopted in plenary was adopted by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Greens/EFA groups.

The human rights situation in Iran has worsened, with over 900 executions in 2024, many targeting women, political dissidents, and individuals connected to the protests sparked by the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini. Kurdish activists Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi were sentenced to death for ‘armed rebellion against the state’. They were denied a fair trial and subjected to torture and solitary confinement. The Supreme Court upheld Azizi's death sentence in January 2025.

Furthermore, dozens of innocent EU nationals have been arbitrarily detained in Iran, without access to fair trials, as part of Iran’s broader strategy of hostage diplomacy.

Against this background, Parliament denounced the Iranian regime’s unrestrained repression of human rights, in particular the targeting of women activists and strongly condemned the death sentence against Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi. It demanded that Iran immediately and unconditionally release all unjustly imprisoned human rights defenders and political prisoners, including Pakhshan Azizi, Wrisha Moradi and at least 56 other political prisoners on death row.

The resolution reiterated its strong opposition to the death penalty and called on the Iranian Government to introduce an immediate moratorium on and abolish it. Members also expressed their full support and solidarity with Iranians united in the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement.

Parliament urged the Iranian authorities to immediately release, safely repatriate and drop all charges against EU nationals, including Olivier Grondeau, Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris and Ahmadreza Djalali. It subsequently condemned Iran’s use of hostage diplomacy.

Furthermore, Members strongly condemned the murder of Jamshid Sharmahd and urged the Islamic regime in Iran to provide details of the circumstances of his death and for his remains to be immediately returned to his family.

Parliament reiterated its call on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organisation and to extend EU sanctions to all those responsible for human rights violations. It also reiterated its call for increased financial support for Iranian civil society.