Gérard Deprez: Iran Regime Violates Human Rights & Plots Terrorism in EU

Following issuing  a joint statement by 150 Members of the European Parliament on condemning Iranian regime’s human rights abuses at home and its terrorist plots in Europe, MEP Gérard Deprez, chair of Friends of a Free Iran send a message stressing: “Human rights in Iran cannot be compromised or marginalized on the excuse of political considerations.”

He pointed out that the signatories were from the six major political groups in the European Parliament and represented 27 EU Member States. They include 4 Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament and 14 Committee and Delegation Chairs.

Gérard Deprez recalled that the signatories have expressed concerns for deteriorating situation of human rights and repression of women in Iran.

Regarding the volatile social atmosphere in Iran since late December last year, Mr. Deprez said: ‘Iranian cities have been the scenes of major uprisings and anti-regime protests, and people demand fundamental change.”

He emphasized: “Meanwhile the regime’s officials have acknowledged the role of “resistance units” of the opposition PMOI (MEK) in organizing protests and nationwide strikes. Tehran spends millions on a massive smear campaign throughout the western world, disseminating false news and misinformation against this main opposition movement.”

Gérard Deprez Concluded: “Unable to defeat the protesters at home, the regime launched a new wave of terrorism against opposition activists abroad. In recent months, several Iran regime’s terror plots have been neutralized by European and American Security agencies. An Iranian diplomat arrested in Germany is now facing trial in Belgium.”

Gérard Deprez cited: “France has officially sanctioned Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and accused it of being behind the bomb plot targeting the opposition NCRI’s Free Iran gathering in Paris on 30 June 2018, and last month, Denmark recalled its ambassador from Iran over a foiled assassination plot targeting Iranian dissidents living in Denmark,” he added.

Mr. Deprez recited that the MEPs criticized the current EU approach towards Iran, quoting: “The EU’s silence in the face of brutal human rights violations in Iran and lack of any response to the serious terror plots in Europe is unacceptable,” the EU lawmakers emphasized that “we must hold the Iranian regime accountable for its terror plots and expel Iranian Intelligence Ministry operatives from Europe.”

“They also urged Albanian government which is hosting several thousand Iranian opposition refugees “not to permit Iranian agents on its territory” after an Iranian bomb plot was foiled near Tirana earlier this year,” Gérard Deprez, chair of Friends of a Free Iran – an informal intergroup with a large following in the European Parliament, stipulated.