WRITTEN QUESTION No. 645/96 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. Recent statement by the Iranian Government concerning the fatwa against Rushdie
Date: 1996-03-18
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN BLADEL
Subjects: European political cooperation, Iran, Islam, death penalty, freedom of expression, fundamental rights, human rights, literary profession













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91996E0645

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 645/96 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. Recent statement by the Iranian Government concerning the fatwa against Rushdie  


Official Journal C 280 , 25/09/1996 P. 0055 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0645/96 by Leonie van Bladel (PSE) to the Council (18 March 1996)Subject: Recent statement by the Iranian Government concerning the fatwa against RushdieOn 18 February 1996, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Velayati, said in an interview with 'Iran News' that, while the fatwa against Salman Rushdie could not be revoked, the Iranian Government would not take any steps to secure the carrying out of the death penalty in this case. This statement was made in response to the debate with the Council on 14 February 1996 in the European Parliament.1. Was the Council already aware that Iran had adopted such a position?2. Does the Council consider this position adequate to deter extremists?3. What is the Council's view of this position, and how does it intend to respond to it?4. How long does the Council intend to continue the critical dialogue with Iran, in view of the Iranian Government's position?5. What will the next step be following the 'critical dialogue'?6. Mr Velayati later said in Geneva that some progress had been made in the negotiations with the EU during the Spanish Presidency. Can the Council say what progress he had in mind?Joint Reply (25 June 1996)The Council is aware of the public statement to which the Honourable Member refers and others made by representatives of the Government of Iran concerning the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, and has noted their contents. The European Union has repeatedly called on the Iranian authorities to join the EU's efforts to obtain a satisfactory solution in respect of Salman Rushdie. In April 1995 the EU asked Iran for written assurances of Mr Rushdie's safety. Iran has not yet delivered these assurances but discussions between the EU and Iran are continuing.The objective of the European Union's policy on Iran is to bring about an improvement in Iranian behaviour. The basis of the EU's own relations with Iran is and remains the Critical Dialogue stemming from the Conclusions of the Edinburgh European Council in December 1992. The Critical Dialogue reflects concern about Iranian behaviour and 'calls for improvement in a number of areas, particularly human rights, the death sentence pronounced by a fatwa of Ayatollah Khomaini against the author Salmon Rushdie, which is contrary to international law, and terrorism'. It aso provides an opportunity to raise Iran's arms procurement policies and its approach to the Middle East Peace Process. During the regular and tough sessions of the Critical Dialogue that have taken place since 1993, the European Union has repeatedly made it clear that improvement in these areas will be important in determining the extent to which closer relations and confidence can develop.Through the Critical Dialogue and other initiatives, such as EU pressure for tough resolutions and statements on Iran at the UN General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights, the European Union has succeeded in raising international awareness of Iran's behaviour. Although Iran has not yet responded positively to such action, the EU hopes that sustained pressure from it and the international community will lead to the improved behaviour sought.