B4-0196, 0213, 0222, 0234, 0242 and 0244/98

Resolution on the human rights situation in Iran

19-02-1998

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,

A. whereas serious violations of human rights are still continuing in Iran, including a large number of executions, stoning, torture and persecution of religious and ethnic minorities,

B. whereas Morteza Firouzi, editor of Iran News, was sentenced to death in January 1998 on charges of espionage,

C. whereas, in an initial court verdict, Helmut Hofer, a German national, has been sentenced to death in Iran, allegedly for having sexual relations with an Iranian woman, Vahide Ghessemi, and whereas she was reportedly sentenced to 99 lashes,

D. whereas, nine years after it was imposed, the fatwa against Salman Rushdie still exposes this citizen of a Member State to the threat of murder by Iranian agents or by religious fanatics, in violation of the most elementary principles of international law,

E. noting the resolution by the 52nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in November 1997, expressing its concern at the continuing violations of human rights in Iran, in particular the large and increasing number of executions, torture and inhuman punishment, stoning, amputation and the failure to meet international standards in the administration of justice,

1. Condemns the repeated human rights violations in Iran and calls on the Iranian regime to comply with international human rights standards;

2. Calls on the authorities immediately to adopt a moratorium on executions and to abolish the death penalty;

3. Calls for the immediate release of Helmut Hofer and asks for clarification of the fate of Vahide Ghessemi;

4. Calls on the Iranian authorities to clarify as a matter of urgency the charges against Morteza Firouzi, and to release him immediately if the charges against him cannot be substantiated;

5. Deplores the fact that the Iranian Foreign Minister has officially confirmed "the validity of the historical fatwa" on Mr Rushdie and that proposals have been made for an increased reward for his death, and strongly urges the Iranian Government to reconsider the question and to make a written declaration that it will not carry out the fatwa and will seek to restrain Iranian citizens from trying to do so;

6. Notes with satisfaction that the editor Faraj Sarkouhi was released after a year's unjust imprisonment, and calls on the Iranian authorities to restore his citizenship rights in full;

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

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission and to the Iranian Government.