The Council of the EU condemned the systemic oppression of women in Iran in a statement released on Monday, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Jina Amini’s death. Amini, who died in custody, had been arrested for allegedly failing to adhere to Iran’s strict dress code for women. This tragic incident has sparked international outcry and has become a symbol of resistance against gender-based discrimination in Iran. For further details, see the Council’s statement.
The Council’s statement specifically highlighted Iran’s severe repression of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement. It denounced the disproportionate restrictions imposed on fundamental human rights and the harsh sentences, including capital punishment, against demonstrators. This echoes the EU’s longstanding position that the prohibition of torture is an absolute right that cannot be subject to any justifications. The movement has attracted global attention, shedding light on the entrenched gender discriminations and human rights violations in Iran, characterized as crimes against humanity by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran in March.
Vice President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, reiterated the EU’s support for the Iranian people, particularly women, in their struggle for fundamental freedoms and human rights. In his blog post, Borrell noted that since October 2022, the EU has adopted 10 sanctions packages targeting those responsible for the brutal repression, affecting key figures and entities within Iran’s power structure, including ministers and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran’s actions have come under intense international scrutiny, particularly its non-ratification of key human rights treaties like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its persistent violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the Convention against Torture.
The protests ignited by Amini’s death have highlighted significant limitations on the freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to equality in Iran. These issues continue to draw the international community’s attention, leading to actions such as the UN Human Rights Council’s November 2022 resolution to establish an independent fact-finding mission to investigate the situation. For a detailed account of these events and the broader human rights implications, please visit the full article on JURIST.