European Parliament resolution on the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on EU relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran (COM(2001) 71 - C5-0338/2001 - 2001/2138(COS))
Date: 2001-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: EU relations, Iran, agreement (EU), diplomatic relations, freedom of opinion, freedom of the press, political refugee, political situation, rights of minorities

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29.
Reiterates that the proliferation of light weapons and small arms is a major force for instability in
all crisis regions and therefore asks the EU to continue to call for an effective control of arms exports,
including licensed production, industrial cooperation agreements and arms brokering; reiterates, to this
end, the need to make legally binding the European Union code of conduct on arms exports;

30.
Requests that more attention and resources should be devoted to education as a key instrument for
conflict prevention and to this end calls upon the Commission to contribute to the activities of the UN
Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence by promoting the inclusion of peace-building and training
in non-violence, mutual respect and non-hatred into the educational curricula throughout the world; and
in particular in specific conflict areas such as the Balkans, the Middle East and the Great Lakes;

In this perspective, stresses that the empowerment of women should be encouraged as much as

31.
possible;

*

*

*

Requests its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments

32.
of the Member States, as well as to the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the OSCE

16. EU relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran

A5-0418/2001

European Parliament resolution on the communication from the Commission to the European
Parliament and the Council on EU relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran (COM(2001) 71 )
C5-0338/2001 ) 2001/2138(COS))

The European Parliament,

2 having regard to the Commission communication (COM(2001) 71 2 C5-0338/2001),

2 having regard to Resolution 2001/17 of 20 April 2001 of the UN Human Rights Commission on the

human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

2 having regard to the final report of 12 November 2001, as well as the interim report of 10 August
2001 (A/56/278) and the report of 16 January 2001 (E/CN.4/2001/39) of the Special Envoy of the
UN Committee on Human Rights for Iran, Maurice Copithorne, on the human rights situation in the
Islamic Republic of Iran,

2 having regard to its previous resolutions of 18 May 2000 in Iran (1), 13 April 2000 on the prisoners
facing trial in Iran on charges of espionage on behalf of Israel and the United States (2), and 16 Sept-
ember 1999 on the situation of the prisoners accused of spying in Iran (3),

2 having regard to the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
tabled by the Member States and others for the 56th UN General Assembly on 20 November 2001
(A/C.3/56/L.50),

2 having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2001 on human rights in the world in 2000 and the Euro-

pean Union Human Rights Policy (4),

(1) OJ C 59, 23.2.2001, p. 282.
(2) OJ C 40, 7.2.2001, p. 421.
(3) OJ C 54, 25.2.2000, p. 112.
(4)
‘Texts Adopted’, Item 13.

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2 having regard to the dialogue established in 1995 and extended in October 1998 through an
exchange of views between the European Union and Iran on global issues such as terrorism and
human rights, regional issues and the areas of cooperation such as drugs, refugees and energy,

2 having regard to the Commission’s regret at the extension by five years of the sanctions imposed on

Iran and Libya (ILSA, HR 1954) by the US Congress on 26 July 2001,

2 having regard its resolution of 25 October 2001 (1) on the progress achieved in the implementation of
the common foreign and security policy which recommends opening the way to the conclusion of a
trade and cooperation agreement with Iran,

2 having regard to the Commission’s statement in its communication that it ‘goes without saying that
the scope for promoting bilateral relations will depend on the progress of political, economic and
legislative reform in Iran’,

2 having regard to the condemnation by President Khatami and other senior figures in Iran of the

terrorist attacks on the USA of 11 September 2001,

2 having regard to the visit by the Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrasi, to the European Union
institutions on 10 September 2001, which represents a major step forward in diplomatic contacts
between Iran and the EU since the Islamic Revolution of 1979,

2 having regard to the ad hoc visit by the EU’s Foreign Policy Troika to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the
Mashreq States and Pakistan, which resulted from the action plan adopted at the special summit of
Foreign Ministers on 21 September 2001 in Brussels (2) on measures to increase the fight against
terrorism,

2 having regard to Rule 47(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

2 having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security
and Defence Policy and the opinion of the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and
Energy (A5-0418/2001),

A. whereas virtually all Iran’s neighbours are sources of permanent instability and it is very much in the
EU’s interest, as part of a foreign policy strategy for conflict prevention, that Iran should become a
factor for stability in the region,

B. whereas the EU can help Iran to develop good-neighbourly relations with all the countries in the area

and contribute effectively to the development of regional cooperation,

C. whereas the EU should do everything within its power to further the continuation of Iran’s construc-
tive participation in the international coalition against terrorism under the auspices of the UN,

D. whereas Iran is already host to some 2,8 million refugees, mainly from Afghanistan and Iraq, who
pose a threat to the stability of Iran and beyond and who therefore need substantially increased inter-
national humanitarian aid, which is all the more urgent in view of the massive increase in the influx
of refugees into Iran as a consequence of the fighting in Afghanistan,

E. whereas Iran has now had a government for 22 years which persecutes and oppresses adherents of
other faiths; disappointed that the election of President Khatami, which for the first time seemed to
give grounds for hope, did not bring about substantial democratic and political changes,

F. whereas more democracy and greater respect for human rights would allow the human resources in
Iran to be tapped on a large scale and thereby substantially boost Iran’s position as a regional econ-
omic player, which might make it a more stable partner in the region,

(1)
‘Texts Adopted’, Item 15.
(2) SN 140/01 of 21.9.2001.

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G. whereas the EU, with an annual volume of exports in excess of € 4 billion, is Iran’s main trading
partner and Iran exports goods with a value of € 4,5 billion to the EU every year, with oil accounting
for 75 % of these exports, and whereas there still remains a great potential for expansion of coop-
eration in other areas,

H. whereas the peaceful development of civil society and of the economy depends on the continued
evolution of domestic political, legislative and economic framework conditions in Iran, away from
liberali-
autocratic and repressive structures, towards more democracy and economic and political
sation,

I. whereas a large majority of Iran’s electorate, through its extremely high turnout at the parliamentary,
presidential (67 % turnout in 2001) and municipal elections since 1996, has shown not only an
acceptance of political institutions, but also a considerable desire to press ahead with both political
and economic reform (77 % majority for President Khatami in 2001), in contrast with ‘the desire of a
majority of the Shiite religious leaders to consolidate an Islamic theocracy’,

J.

having regard to President Khatami’s declaration of 8 August 2001, inaugurating his second term of
office, that he intends to strengthen the civil institutions of the country,

K. whereas any EU policy vis-à-vis Iran must take into account the contradictions in the social and
political system, and a policy of closer cooperation therefore makes sense only if further progress in
political, economic and social reforms in Iran is encouraged,

L. whereas a ‘cultural dialogue’ will have an important part to play in this context in promoting under-
standing and exchange between religions and societies; whereas the European Union intends to inten-
sify its relations with the Arab States and Iran along these lines,

M. whereas, despite the progress made, the human rights situation in Iran is still a serious matter for
concern; whereas the Special Envoy of the UNCHR for Iran, Maurice Copithorne, in his most recent
report of 12 November 2001 stated that ‘in some important areas such as punishments, and other
aspects of the legal system there has been a serious backsliding’ since his last report in August;
whereas the promised reform of the press and the judicial system has not taken place and, particularly
in the last few months, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly have again been severely
curtailed, the last example of this development being the arrest of the film director Tahmineh Milani
on 31 August 2001 for ‘insulting Islamic values’,

N.

associates itself with the concerns expressed by the Member States in the UN draft resolution,

O. particularly concerned about the imprisonment of Ali Afshari, Akbar Ganji, Ezzatollah Sahabi, Yussefi
Eshkevari, Khalil Rostamkhani and Said Sadr for participating in the Conference ‘Iran after elections 2
The dynamics of reform in the Islamic Republic’, which took place in Berlin in April 2000, and about
the fate of Abbas Amir Entezam, Iran’s longest-serving prisoner of conscience,

P. whereas women continue to be subject to severe restrictions, despite the fact that their situation is
substantially better than in most countries in the region; whereas female members have been elected
to Parliament, with the highest proportion so far of 5,5 % in the 2000 parliamentary elections;
whereas there are some women in leading positions in ministries and business, and female students
represent over 50 % of enrolments at university level,

Q. whereas Iran is a multi-ethnic country in which minorities amount to approximately 50 % of the
whole population, and whereas minorities’ rights are not fully respected with regard, in particular, to
the Azeri minority, who represent a large part of Iranian society,

R. whereas President Khatami has appealed to ethnic minorities, offering the prospect of a relaxation of

cultural restrictions,

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S. whereas Iran faces substantial economic and social problems, such as high inflation and unemploy-
ment, foreign debts, low production output and low levels of industrial capacity utilisation, rapid
demographic growth and alarming environmental pollution and is therefore, in view of its high econ-
omic potential and rich energy resources, interested in increased foreign investments and closer trade
and cooperation ties with the EU,

T. whereas the cultivation of drugs in Afghanistan, formerly sponsored by the Taliban, is responsible not
only for between 1,5 and 2 million Iranian drug addicts 2 which is a tragedy in itself 2 and for
causing serious economic, social, cultural and security-related harm in Iran, but is also making Iran,
because of its geographical location, a transit country for the bulk of EU drug imports,

U. whereas Iran, a partner of the United Nations Drugs Control Programme, has made considerable
efforts to fight against drug smugglers equipped with military weapons such as armoured vehicles
and anti-aircraft missiles, and has paid a heavy price for its fight against drugs with more than
3 000 law enforcement officials killed over the last 10 years,

1.
Is in favour of closer cooperation between the EU and Iran, and advocates a two-pronged policy for
this, comprising on the one hand a critical dialogue to raise the issues of the human rights situation,
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction and the need for economic reforms in Iran
and, on the other hand, arrangements for cooperation in various fields with a view, inter alia, to promot-
ing the rule of law and democracy, which would provide a more solid base for this cooperation in the
abovementioned areas;

Stresses this need once again in the light of the events of 11 September 2001 and the associated far-
2.
reaching changes in foreign policy, and calls on the Commission, in view of the extraordinary circum-
stances, to make humanitarian assistance available to Afghan refugees in Iran without delay;

Hopes that the readiness for political action displayed by the international community after the

3.
terrorist attacks will remain in evidence;

4.
Calls on Iran to reconsider its policy in the Middle East and help to reconcile two objectives: firstly,
the creation of a viable and democratic Palestinian State and the end of the occupations, and secondly, the
right of Israel to live in peace and security within internationally recognised borders; calls on Iran, fur-
thermore, to confirm this right and use its influence in the Middle East to persuade those movements with
which it maintains relations to refrain from the use of violence; calls on Iran to further use its influence to
secure the release of Israeli soldiers being held by these groups;

Urges Iran to adopt a constructive attitude vis-à-vis the other coastal countries as regards the delimi-
initiatives which could endanger the

5.
tation of boundaries in the Caspian, refraining from unilateral
ongoing process that should lead to a new international agreement on the matter;

6.
Supports the desire for political, economic and social reform democratically expressed by the people
of Iran and its recently elected representatives at the presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections,
and hopes that efforts to achieve political, economic and judicial reform will finally bear fruit during this
second term of office;

Considers that the readiness expressed by Iran to discuss human rights issues is a positive devel-
7.
opment with a view to the normalisation of relations between the EU and Iran, and expects that,
in
consequence, the rights of the individual in criminal cases and minority rights, for instance, will no longer

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be denied in future on grounds of national security; expects improvements, notably concerning the release
of prisoners of conscience and compliance with international standards for fair trial, the prohibition of
torture, the abolition of special courts such as Revolutionary and Press Courts and the Special Court for
the Clergy for offences which can be dealt with in the normal judicial framework, freedom of belief for all
religions (not only those recognised in the Constitution) and the abolition of the death penalty;

Assumes that any future trade and cooperation agreement with Iran will contain a substantive

8.
human rights clause based on the corresponding articles in the Cotonou Agreement;

9.
Advocates a selective rapprochement between the EU and Iran with the aim, inter alia, of strengthen-
ing the existing moves towards democratic institutions and the development of civil society, asks to be
kept fully informed of the specific rapprochement measures chosen in the future by the Commission;

10.
Believes, in this respect, that the Commission should implement ad-hoc programmes in order to
help civil society, independent media and non-governmental organisations enhance their profile and play a
decisive role in the process of democratisation of Iranian society;

11.
Considers that closer trade and economic cooperation between the EU and Iran is possible if Iran
adopts a policy of economic liberalisation, as provided for in the five-year plan launched in 1999; recom-
mends a reinforced economic liberalisation and privatisation process and a greater openness to foreign
investment and economic activities through the removal of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers;

12. Welcomes, therefore, the exploratory talks between the Commission and the Iranian Government in
the fields of energy, trade and investment, drugs and refugee and asylum issues, and advocates extending
these talks to other fields of mutual
interest, especially in the field of the fight against drugs, which
requires further steps in order to meet Iran’s technical and educational needs; calls on the Council and
Commission to urge the future rulers of Afghanistan to put an immediate end to the widespread produc-
tion of drugs in their country and their illegal export;

13.
Takes the view that it is necessary to embark on a dialogue on further areas of mutual interest, such
as human rights, foreign and security policy, weapons of mass destruction and the proliferation of nuclear
weapons;

Draws attention to the importance of cultural dialogue in this context, for example by the estab-

14.
lishment of a forum for dialogue and other mutual cultural contacts;

15.
Underscores the need to sensitively and effectively improve the precarious human rights situation,
and calls for the rights of religious minorities and the dignity of women to be respected, the violation of
which is apparent in the imposed dress code, as well as in the numerous provisions of family law which
discriminate against women; supports therefore the proposal by the UN Special Envoy, Mr Copithorne, to
draw up a timetable for implementing the requisite legal and administrative changes in order to ensure
equal legal status for women;

16.
Notes the existence of many ambitious young people in Iran and recognises their role in Iran’s
reform process; wishes to strengthen contacts and relations between young Iranians and young people
from other countries, as well as access by young Iranians to the world outside their country, in particular
through the development of academic exchanges; wishes the cultural, scientific and cooperation depart-
ments of the EU and its Member States to be given more facilities to set up missions in Iran;

Hopes that, for the first time since 1996, the UN General Assembly’s special human rights envoy

17.
will be invited back to the country;

18.
Calls also on Iran to empower the Islamic Human Rights Commission to carry out impartial and
thorough investigations into allegations of human rights violations including torture, disappearances and
extrajudicial executions, and calls for the methods and findings of such investigations to be made public;

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19.
Hopes that further efforts will be made to carry out the promised reform of the press and judiciary;
calls for the abolition of the present measures, many of which are arbitrary and punitive, by a predictable,
judicially based system with suspension provisions limited to six months;

Thursday 13 December 2001

20.
Encourages the forces of reform in parliament and in civil society to continue to address boldly the
task entrusted to them by the electorate of consolidating democratic structures and building an open
democratic society; notes, however, that since President Khatami’s re-election in his second term of office
there have been no signs of any significantly more far-reaching approach to reform and that, on the
contrary, the number of executions, for example, has drastically increased since then; believes that the
return of an almost unchanged cabinet has reduced the hopes of the reformist parliament;

Considers that the conclusion of a trade and cooperation agreement with Iran is possible if it makes
21.
substantive progress in amending its legislation governing the market and investments to comply with
WTO requirements; welcomes in consequence the forwarding of a proposal from the Commission to the
Council on 19 November 2001 concerning such a trade agreement between the EU and Iran and the
positive evaluation of and support for this expressed at the General Affairs Council on 17 October 2001;

22.
Favours converting Iran’s current observer status within the Commission-funded Inogate pro-
gramme into full-member status, in the light of the importance attached in the Green Paper on the security
of energy supply to establishing ongoing dialogue with producer countries with a view to achieving greater
transparency on the market and price stability;

23. Welcomes the adoption by Iran, on 16 July 2000, of Regulation 14.4 establishing a list of 77
mainly industrial products to which import liberalisation is to apply; urges the Iranian Government to
pursue this liberalisation process further, since it is certain to be conducive to the start of its negotiations
on WTO membership;

24. Welcomes further the Iranian Parliament’s approval of the Bill on foreign investment in Iran in May
2001, which is more flexible than the 1955 Act currently in force, as well as its recent approval of a law
enabling Iran to join the New York Convention on international arbitration, which will help build the
climate of confidence required to attract investment from abroad;

Recommends that the Commission and the Council call on Iran to participate in the Sixth Frame-
25.
work Programme in order to encourage the country’s research and innovation activities, as well as promot-
ing research relations between the EU and Iran;

26. Welcomes, at all events, the progress made to date in the area of rights and freedoms, and encour-
ages Iran to make further progress in liberalisation in such areas as the rule of law, the rights of minorities
and freedom of the press;

27.
Recognises the very large economic and financial burden of Iran’s refugee population and regrets
the relatively low commitment of the EU and international institutions to help; believes that the new
pressure of Afghan refugees calls for immediate EU action; encourages the Commission to launch a
humanitarian aid programme to help Afghan and Iraqi refugees in Iran and to coordinate technical aid
from the EU Member States to secure Iran’s borders;

Encourages the Commission to launch a humanitarian aid programme to help Afghan and Iraqi

28.
refugees in Iran and to coordinate technical aid from the EU Member States to secure Iran’s borders;

29.
Proposes, therefore, to send an ad hoc delegation to Teheran, and to invite the Iranian Parliament to
send a delegation to Brussels in return, in order to prepare future parliamentary relations between the
European Parliament and the Majlis, for example in the form of Iran’s inclusion in a parliamentary del-
egation for the Persian Gulf;

30.

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