B4-0059, 0075, 0108, 0119 and 0143/97

Resolution on Iran

The European Parliament,

A. recalling its previous resolutions condemning the gross and systematic violations of human rights in Iran and the use of terrorism by the Islamic Republic of Iran against its opponents in exile and their families,

B. underlining the importance of the Declaration by the Council Presidency on behalf of the European Union of 13 February 1997 on the eighth anniversary of the fatwa against Salman Rushdie which holds the Iranian government responsible for the fatwa,

C. noting the latest report in October 1996 by the UN Special Representative to the General Assembly which states that the human rights situation in Iran has deteriorated over the past year,

D. strongly concerned at recent reports of the shooting, killing and arrests of people during recent demonstrations throughout the country,

E. concerned at the high number of executions in Iran, which according to the January 1997 report of Amnesty International at least doubled in 1996,

F. deeply concerned about the terrorist activities of the Iranian regime and the threats made against the judicial officials of a Member State which has accused the leaders of the Iranian regime of direct involvement in the assassinations of Iranian opponents in exile,

G. concerned that an Iranian foundation has raised the reward for carrying out the fatwa on Salman Rushdie from two to two and a half million US dollars, an offer which has now been extended to non-Muslims,

H. deploring the arrest on 28 January 1997 of writer and publisher Faraj Sarkuhi, his fourth arrest in twelve months, despite the pressure from international human rights organizations, and concerned for his safety,

I. appalled at the crackdown on dissident intellectuals in Iran and in particular the mysterious deaths among the signatories of the 'Declaration of the 134', which Faraj Sarkuhi also supported,

J. gravely concerned by reports of intensifying repression against members of the Baha'i community, particularly the death sentences against imprisoned members of this religious minority,

K. deploring the recent mortar attack aimed at the Baghdad office of the Mujahedin opposition, which resulted in the death and injury of civilians,

L. alarmed at the continuing persecution of women who transgress the moral code, one example being Sheyda Khoramzadeh Esfahani, who has recently been sentenced to death,

The European Parliament,

1. Condemns the repeated violations of human rights in Iran and demands that the Iranian regime conform to international human rights standards;

2. Reiterates its total condemnation of the fatwa against Mr Rushdie;

3. Condemns the arrest of Mr Sarkuhi by the Iranian authorities and calls for his immediate release;

4. Calls for the judicial authorities in Iran to re-examine the cases of Iranian Baha'i prisoners who have been sentenced to death for their beliefs;

5. Condemns the continuing discrimination against women in Iran and the violation of their rights;

6. Condemns the outlawing of oil workers' organizations and the repression of their freedom of association through the arrest of oil workers;

7. Condemns the Iranian regime's use of missiles against Baghdad as an act of extra-territorial terrorism;

8. Deplores the recent widespread arrests and torture of prisoners of conscience, and the broadcasting of so-called confessions of political detainees by Persian-language radio stations in violation of international conventions;

9. Calls on the Council and the Member States to increase the diplomatic pressure on Iran to meet international human rights standards and to discuss with the European Parliament the policy of "critical dialogue¨ with Iran;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of the UN Human Rights Commission.