Human rights breaches in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran and Algeria

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

• Parliament condemns death sentences in Democratic Republic of the Congo and violations of the right to a fair trial, and calls for reforms of the judicial system 
• Death penalty must be abolished in Iran and hostage diplomacy must end 
• Algerian authorities must review all repressive laws restricting freedom of opinion and expression and release Boualem Sansal immediately 

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions about the respect for human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran and Algeria.

The case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

MEPs strongly condemn the passing of death sentences in the DRC, including that of Jean-Jacques Wondo, and the serious violations of the right to a fair trial. Expressing their deep concern about Wondo’s deteriorating health, they also call for his immediate release and urgent access to medical treatment.

Reiterating its categorical opposition to the death penalty, Parliament urges the DRC government to reinstate a moratorium on executions and to take steps towards the full abolition of the death penalty. MEPs also call for the implementation of systemic reforms to rebuild the judicial system as an independent, fair and efficient institution that guarantees due process and the protection of fundamental rights.

The resolution was adopted by show of hands. The full version will be available here (23.01.2025)

The systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the hostage-taking of EU citizens

In the resolution adopted by 556 votes for, 6 against and 42 abstentions, MEPs expressed their strong opposition to the death penalty in Iran, requesting an immediate moratorium on its use and eventually its abolition. They specifically condemn the death sentences handed down to human rights activist Pakhshan Azizi and humanitarian worker Wrisha Moradi and demand their immediate and unconditional release, as well as the release of at least 56 other political prisoners on death row.. MEPs also strongly condemn the murder of German-Iranian citizen Jamshid Sharmahd and urge the Islamic regime in Iran to provide details of the circumstances of his death. 

They denounce the Iranian regime’s unrestrained repression of human rights and persecution of minorities, calling for increased financial support for Iranian civil society and expressing their full solidarity with and support for Iranians united in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, recipient of the 2023 EP Sakharov Prize to Freedom of Thought.

The text strongly condemns Iran’s hostage diplomacy, with MEPs urging Iranian authorities to release, repatriate and drop all charges against EU nationals, including French nationals Olivier Grondeau, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, and Swedish-Iranian national Ahmadreza Djalali. MEPs also reiterate their call on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation and extend EU sanctions to all those responsible for human rights violations in Iran.

The full version will be available here (23.01.2025)

The case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria

Boualem Sansal must be immediately and unconditionally released, MEPs say, alongside journalist Abdelwakil Blamm, writer Tadjadit Mohamed, and all other activists, journalists, human rights defenders and people detained for exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression in Algeria.

The authorities must, MEPs add, review all repressive laws restricting freedoms and the judiciary’s independence, in order to protect the freedom of the press as enshrined in Article 54 of Algeria’s Constitution.

They also stress that a renewal of the EU-Algeria Partnership Priorities must be based on Algeria’s continued and substantial progress on respect for the rule of law. This is in order to consolidate freedom of expression in Algeria as well as highlight the role that progress on these democratic priorities has on all future disbursements of EU funds to Algeria.

The resolution was adopted by 533 votes for, 24 against and 48 abstentions. The full version will be available here (23.01.2025)