Resolution on Iran

B4-0358, 0374, 0402, 0408, 0430 and 0433/97

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Iran, in particular those of 13March 1996 and 20 February 1997,

- having regard to the resolution of the UN Human Rights Commission of 15 April 1997,

A. whereas Iran is suspected of state terrorism in several cases, and has a poor overall record of human rights, which has shown no sign of improvement over the past year,

B. noting the ruling by a Berlin Court on 10 April 1997, affirming that the political and religious leadership of the Iranian regime are behind the assassination of Iranian dissidents abroad,

C. noting the Council's decision to suspend the 'critical dialogue' with Iran and defer the return of the Member States' ambassadors to Tehran pending clarification of the position by the Iranian authorities, who have given to understand that the return of the German and Danish ambassadors would be unwelcome,

D. noting furthermore the Council's decision to suspend official bilateral ministerial visits, to confirm the policy of not supplying arms to Iran, to ensure that visas are not granted to Iranians with intelligence and security functions and to exclude Iranian intelligence personnel from the EU,

E. appalled by the continuing threats against Salman Rushdie which have the support of the Iranian government, and recent statements by government agents in Tehran of intent to kill German nationals,

F. noting with dismay the rejection by Iran's Supreme Court of the appeal against the conviction and death sentence against Mr Mohammad Assadi,

G. expressing its profound sympathy and solidarity with the great number of victims of the recent earthquake disaster and their families, and urging the European Agency for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) to respond immediately to the Iranian calls for humanitarian aid,

1. Condemns in the sharpest possible terms the persistent acts of state terrorism perpetrated by the Iranian Government at home and abroad;

2. Demands that the Council establish a common and united policy between all Member States regarding the diplomatic representation of the Member States in Iran;

3. Calls on the Council to put a definite end to the 'critical dialogue' with the Iranian authorities and to enhance the dialogue with all those promoting the transformation of Iran into a democratic state;

4. Asks the Council and the Member States, in the absence of positive steps by Tehran, to elaborate ways and means to bring increased and progressively stronger pressure to bear upon the authorities in Tehran;

5. Expresses solidarity with the victims of the Iranian regime's terrorism and supports all the democrats opposed to the present Iranian regime who are fighting to establish a truly democratic state in Iran;

6. Reiterates its utter condemnation of the fatwa against Mr Rushdie and demands that it be considered null and void by the Iranian authorities;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the Iranian government.