Check against delivery! 

Thank you Madame President, Honourable Members [of the European Parliament], 

Thank you [for] having added this debate to the agenda of the Plenary. Like you said, I am intervening today replacing the High-Representative [Josep] Borrell, who unfortunately could not be present for this debate. 

I cannot begin my intervention without condemning once again the execution of Alireza Akbari last Saturday. He was a British-Iranian national, a citizen of Europe. The European Union and its Member State were united in their response. The  Statement of High-Representative Borrell on behalf of the European Union condemned the execution in the strongest terms and called on the Iranian authorities to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment. 

The internal situation in Iran continues to be a source of great concern. The current uprisings reveal deep frustration. The key demands of the current protests are respect for fundamental human rights, dignity, and real change. 

However, the intensity of the protests seems to have decreased in the past weeks. This is probably also due to mass arrests and executions of protesters. The crackdown has now moved to the courtrooms, where harsh sentences, including death sentences, are used as a tool of repression.  

Four protesters were executed, one of them publicly. Capital punishment is an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity, and we aim at its universal abolition. As part of a strong and coordinated reaction, the European Union and most Members States summoned the respective Iranian Ambassadors last week to strongly demand an end to this unacceptable course of action. The people of Iran, as anywhere else, have the right to peaceful protest. Fundamental rights must be respected in all circumstances. 

It is still unclear how many people have been killed or arrested in connection with the protests. NGOs estimate that at least 500 people have died. Unofficial data speaks of over 18,000 people arrested. Reports of abuse and mistreatment perpetrated against protesters while in custody are also a matter of serious concern.  

This debate is a timely opportunity to discuss the response of the EU and its Member States to the way the Iranian regime is handling these protests, as well as to reflect on the way forward.   

The declaration of High-Representative Borrell of 25 September 2022 issued on behalf of the 27 Member States and the EP resolution of 6 October 2022 testifies to the quick reaction of the European Union and its Member States to any attempt to crack down on fundamental rights and freedoms.  

Over the past three months, the Council added 60 individuals and 8 entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures due to their role in the death of Mahsa Amini and the violent response to the ensuing demonstrations. And let me state clearly that this approach will continue as long as necessary, as outlined in the Council Conclusions adopted in December.  

At the same time, we welcomed the establishment of a Fact-Finding Mechanism created by the UN Human Rights Council as well as the appointment of its three experts. We now look forward to seeing the fact-finding mechanism at work. Strengthening accountability for human rights violations across the world is at the core of our external policy approach. 

It is crucial that the European Union and its Member States continue to send strong and clear messages to Iran in line with what has been done so far. Iran will feature again on the agenda of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council and I assure you that all options for the European Union to respond to events in Iran remain on the table.  

I thank you of course for your attention but I look forward to our debate and to receive your observations and proposals  

Thank you. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-235851  

Closing remarks  

The debate today testifies that we all share the same concerns regarding the human rights situation in Iran and shows our strong determination to react promptly to any attempt to crackdown on fundamental rights and freedoms.

 The High-Representative follows the Iran file personally, and Iran is on the agenda at the next Foreign Affairs Council. The European Union and its Member States will continue to speak up and act. The Council will consider all the options at its disposal, including new restrictive measures relating to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards.  

At the same time, as EU representatives, we will continue to use every opportunity in our direct exchanges with the Iranian authorities to convey our unequivocal stance on human rights and demand full respect for the fundamental rights of Iranian citizens. 

Concerning the detention of dual national and EU citizens in Iran, we work in close coordination with the Member States involved. We are using every opportunity to express our firmest disapproval to the Iranian authorities toward the disturbing and inacceptable growing number of cases involving EU citizens arbitrarily detained. 

Vous avez mentionné la situation du citoyen belge Olivier Vandecasteele. Nous sommes en contact avec les autorités belges qui ont la responsabilité consulaire dans cette situation et nous soutenons complètement les efforts consulaires mis en œuvre par chaque État membre placés dans une telle situation.  

At the same time, we are using every opportunity and every channel of communication with Iran to express our firm disappointment towards the growing number of cases involving EU citizens.  

We will continue to work to support the Iranian population and will try also to continue to support European citizens detained in Iran. 

Thank you again for your determination and for your support.  

 Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-235853