resolution motion, 31 March 2025
On the execution spree in Iran and confirmation of the death sentences of activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani
Motion B-10-2025-0220 · (2025/2628(RSP))
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Hannah Neumann, Mounir Satouri, Erik Marquardt, Catarina Vieira, Ville Niinistö, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Mélissa Camara, Maria Ohisalo
- Voted on Thursday, 3 April 2025 · Adopted · See the decision →
- Where the law stands · dossier 2025/2628 →
AI:In short
This resolution condemns the surge in executions in Iran and calls for the revocation of death sentences for activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, as well as for all political prisoners. It demands Iran halt executions, place a moratorium on the death penalty, and respect international law, while urging EU institutions and member states to support human rights and sanction perpetrators.
Key points
- Condemns the surge in executions by the Iranian regime, used to spread fear and punish dissent.
- Calls on Iran to revoke death sentences for Ehsani and Hassani and all political prisoners, annul convictions, release them, and review cases per international law.
- Demands Iranian authorities grant Ehsani and Hassani access to families, chosen lawyers, and medical assistance.
- Urges Iran to stop using the death penalty, halt executions, and retry those threatened with execution in due process, especially for charges that never warrant capital punishment under international law.
- Calls for an immediate moratorium on the death penalty, especially against human rights defenders, and respect for ICCPR obligations.
- Reiterates call for Iran to grant UN Special Rapporteur and Fact-Finding Mission full access; urges EU and member states to support the mission and mandate renewal.
- Supports HR/VP and member states in denouncing Iran's use of the death penalty and communicating that ending impunity is an EU priority.
- Calls on the Council to sanction perpetrators of serious human rights violations and to add the IRGC to the EU terrorist list.
- Urges member states to launch criminal investigations into Iranian officials under universal jurisdiction.
- Encourages the Commission to expand technical and financial assistance for Iranian civil society.
- Calls on member states to facilitate visas, asylum, and emergency grants for those fleeing Iran.
Who is affected
- Iranian authorities and regime: face demands to halt executions, revoke sentences, and allow access.
- EU institutions and member states: called to support human rights, sanction perpetrators, and assist civil society.
- Political prisoners in Iran, including Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani: targeted for release and fair trials.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 19 paragraphs
B100220/2025
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on execution spree in Iran and confirmation of the death sentences of activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani
(2025/2628(RSP))
The European Parliament,
–having regard to Rules 144 of its Rules of Procedure,
A.whereas according to Iran Human Rights, at least 975 people were executed in Iran in 2024, the highest number in more than two decades, marking a 17% increase from the 834 executions recorded in 2023; whereas at least 95 people have already been executed as of mid-March 2025;
B.whereas Behrouz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, 48, are at imminent risk of execution like dozens of other political prisoners in Iran sentenced on vaguely defined national security charges;
C.whereas on 15 September 2024 the two dissidents were sentenced on charges of “armed rebellion against the state”, “enmity against God” and “corruption on earth” allegedly supporting the PMOI and were tried in a grossly unfair five-minute trial where they were not allowed to speak; whereas Ehsani and Hassani state that they were tortured in detention;
1.Firmly condemns the surge in executions by the Iranian regimes, used to spread fear and punish people for dissent;
2.Calls the Iranian government to promptly revoke the death sentence for Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, and all others facing the death penalty for political activism, annul their convictions and sentences, immediately release all political prisoners and review their cases in line with international human rights law;
3.Demands Iranian authorities to grant Ehsani and Hassani access to their families, independently lawyers of their choice, and to adequate medical assistance;
4.Urges Iran to stop using the death penalty, halt executions and release and retrial persons threatened with execution in a due process, particularly for charges that under international law never result in capital punishment; calls on Iranian authorities to place an immediate moratorium on the use of death penalty, especially against human rights defenders and to respect their international obligations under the ICCPR;
Read the rest (7 paragraphs)
5.Reiterates its call on Iran to provide the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and the UN Fact-Finding Mission with full, unimpeded access to the country; calls on the EU and Member States to fully support the mission and the renewal of its mandate;
6.Supports the HR/VP and Member States in denouncing the Iranian authorities’ use of the death penalty and communicating to Iranian officials that ending systematic impunity in Iran remains an EU priority;
7.Calls on the Council to continue identifying and sanctioning perpetrators responsible for serious human rights violations; reiterates its call to add the IRGC to the EU list of terrorist organisations;
8.Urges Member States to launch criminal investigations into Iranian officials responsible for grave human rights violations, particularly under universal jurisdiction;
9.Encourages the Commission to expand technical and financial assistance for Iranian civil society, including for implementing organisations;
10.Calls on Member States to facilitate visas, asylum and emergency grants for those who need to flee Iran;
11.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, HRVP, the Member States, and Iran.