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Open Letter on the Urgent Need for EU Action on Human Rights Violations in Iran

 

Open Letter on the Urgent Need for EU Action on Human Rights Violations in Iran

 

To:


 Ms. Kaja Kallas
 High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
 European External Action Service (EEAS)

 

Ms. Roberta Metsola
 President of the European Parliament
 European Parliament

 

Distinguished Excellencies,

 

We, the undersigned, write to you with profound concern and a deep sense of urgency regarding the escalating political repression in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the imminent threat of a new wave of mass executions.

 

Following the brutal crackdown on protests on January 8 and 9, numerous alarming reports indicate a high death toll among citizens and the detention of tens of thousands. Evidence suggests that many detainees are being subjected to torture and forced confessions, are facing trials that lack the most basic international standards of due process, and are at grave risk of receiving and having death sentences carried out against them.

 

According to credible reports from human rights organizations, the judiciary of the Islamic Republic is utilizing charges such as “Moharebeh” (enmity against God), “Efsad-e fel-Arz” (corruption on earth), and “collaboration with foreign entities” to pave the way for severe sentences, including capital punishment, against protesters and civil activists. Current trends point to the orchestration of show trials aimed at instilling systemic terror within society.

 

At the same time, political and civil activists, journalists, women, workers, students, and members of various national, linguistic, and cultural communities are facing arbitrary mass arrests, torture, and unfair trials solely for their peaceful activities. These actions constitute a flagrant violation of the Islamic Republic’s international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), as well as fundamental human rights principles.

 

In light of the European Union’s declared commitment to defending human rights and human dignity, we urgently call upon you to take the following immediate, tangible, and effective measures:

 

  • Public Condemnation: At the highest political level, publicly demand an immediate halt to all executions in Iran, particularly those issued against detainees of the recent protests.
  • Unconditional Release: Demand the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
  • Coordinated Action: Within the EU framework, initiate coordinated political and legal actions against officials and institutions responsible for repression, torture, and the issuance of death sentences.
  • International Accountability: Actively support the strengthening of independent investigations and the accountability of perpetrators through United Nations mechanisms and other international human rights bodies.
  • Targeted Sanctions: Urgently review and expand targeted human rights sanctions against individuals and entities involved in the killing of protesters and judicial repression.

We emphasize that the right to life, freedom of expression, and the right to a fair trial are universal and non-negotiable. The danger facing many detainees is immediate and real. Any delay in effective action by the international community could cost the lives of individuals targeted simply for exercising their fundamental rights.

 

Respectfully,
 Solidarity for Republic and Democracy in Iran

 

List of Signatories:

 

(Note: The following organizations include broad umbrella coalitions representing a wide array of groups and parties.)

 

 

  1. A) Major Movements and Umbrella Coalitions:
  2. Broad Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran
  3. Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran
  4. Joint Congress of Democratic and Federal Republicans
  5. Council of Organizers of the National Democratic Republicans Congress
  6. Solidarity Network for Human Rights in Iran

 

  1. B) Parties, Groups, and Civil Organizations:
  2. Cologne Union in Defense of the Iranian People
  3. Association of Iranian-German Women – Cologne
  4. Berlin Med (Berlin Medical Staff for Human Rights and Democracy)
  5. PJAK (Free Life Party of Kurdistan)
  6. Freedom Seekers of Hamburg
  7. Azerbaijan Resistance Organization
  8. Left Party of Iran
  9. Azerbaijan Democratic Party
  10. Free Iran Democratic Party
  11. Worker-communist Party of Iran
  12. Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan
  13. Baluchistan Human Rights
  14. Woman, Life, Freedom – Cologne
  15. Hana Human Rights Organization
  16. “No to Execution Tuesdays” – Cologne
  17. Woman, Life, Freedom Network – Belgium
  18. Council for Organizing Actions in the Netherlands
  19. Republican Medical Staff for Human Rights and Democracy (DIMA)
  20. Iranian Human Rights Activists
  21. Nasl-e Barandaz (Overthrow Generation) – Hamburg
  22. Hana-ye Rojhelat

 

  1. C) Supporting Organizations:
  2. Dana Research Association
  3. Association for the Culture of Democracy and Republicanism – Austria
  4. Kurdistan Khabat Organization of Iran
  5. Convergence Network of Secular Democratic Republicans of Iran
  6. Nedaye Zagros Network
  7. Zagros Cooperation Forum
  8. Christian Democratic Party of Iran
  9. Movement Cooperation Network in Italy