Juan Fernando López Aguilar MEP addressed a webinar by European lawmakers on October 7, 2020, on the human rights situation in Iran.

Online Conference held under title, “Iran’s Ongoing Crimes Against Humanity, EU’s political and moral obligations”. The online event was on October 7, 2020. Dozens of members of the European Parliament attended and spoke at the conference.

MEPs made their remarks in order to condemn the horrific human rights violations witnessed on a daily basis across Iran. In addition, MEPs called on the European Union to fulfill its moral and political obligations in the face of human rights violations in Iran. They called for a firm policy by the European Union against the mullah regime in Iran. Also, they pointed out, It is high time to stand alongside the Iranian people and support their justified aspirations for a free, democratic, and non-nuclear Iran.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran(NCRI), was the keynote speaker at this conference. Her message welcomed as a democratic solution to Iran’s future. Mrs. Rajavi’s ten-point plan has widespread support from the majority of MEPs for a long time.

Juan Fernando López Aguilar, MEP from Spain

As a member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Committee of Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, I would like to salute all of the participants of this conference, always committed to human rights, which means to me and for the European Parliament, and all, equal rights, and that is an issue.

Of course, when it comes to Iran, just this morning, we had a debate with High Representative Burrell on the situation on Iran. We made a point, yes, we stand by the European Union’s position to uphold the so-called Joint Commission, which secures the understanding that proliferation of weapons will be deterred, will be prevented, when it comes to nuclear, ballistic or conventional weapons as well.

But by the same token, we insist from the European Parliament that the European Union must be significant when making the case of equal human rights, equal rights, before the law in Iran. And that is something that is of the essence, particularly in view of the 2019 uprisings where at least 12,000s were arrested.

There was police brutality and repression, ongoing, always the same issue, repression against dissidents in Iran. Execution of the death penalty is also frequent and systematic as a punishment for dissidents. Discrimination against entire categories of person, to begin with, women is also an outstanding priority for the European Union external action service and for the diplomatic efforts that have to be made to stop that from happening.

Iranian women face discrimination, personal status, matters relate to marriage, divorce, inheritance, child custody. Iranian law allows girls at 13 and boys at 15 to get married despite the efforts to hire, to increase that minimum age that have been prevented by the Iranian leading authorities. Iranian law denies freedom of religion as so many other freedom and fundamental rights.

So, we make a case by saying that, yes, we are making an effort to prevent proliferation of weapons and to stand by the agreement that made it possible, but we also have a duty, moral, political, legal duty to stand up for human rights in Iran and particular respect for dissenters and political opposition. That is why I can only salute this opportunity to spread this message on behalf of the Committee of Liberty, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament. Wish you well.