European Parliament demands tougher EU sanctions on Iran over human rights violations

STRASBOURG, May 21: The European Parliament has adopted a resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran, with 516 votes in favour, 14 against, and 39 abstentions, calling for expanded European Union sanctions on Iranian officials and entities. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed solidarity with the Iranian people, describing the situation as one involving severe repression of protestors, and urged stronger international action in response.

The resolution strongly criticised the use of the death penalty as a tool to suppress political dissent and called for its abolition. It also denounced reported secret executions of dissidents, including minors, carried out in March and April, and demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners. Lawmakers further called for wider sanctions targeting those responsible for repression, including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and entities linked to the office of the Supreme Leader, while urging EU member states to restrict travel for IRGC members and associated individuals and to shut down diplomatic missions allegedly involved in transnational repression activities.