Human rights violations in Iran, Afghanistan and Indonesia  

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

• Parliament calls for more sanctions against Iranian officials, while Iranian people face the largest mass murder of protestors in the country’s history 
• MEPs condemn the recent adoption of the Criminal Procedure Code for Courts in Afghanistan, leading to the systematic persecution of women and girls 
• MEPs denounce the impunity of those responsible for attacks on human rights activists in Indonesia and are concerned about the overall deterioration of the situation in the country 

On Thursday, Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situations in Iran, Afghanistan and Indonesia.

Repression and execution of protesters, dissidents, political prisoners and religious minorities in Iran

MEPs express their solidarity with the Iranian people, who are facing the largest mass murder of protestors in the country’s history. They strongly condemn the death penalty as a measure to deter political mobilisation and call for its abolishment. MEPs deplore the secret execution of dissidents in March and April, including minors and demand Iranian authorities to immediately release all political prisoners.

Parliament calls on the EU to further expand sanctions on Iranian officials responsible for repression, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and entities associated with the Supreme Leader. Members of the IRGC and loyal family members should be banned from entering the EU, MEPs say. Member states should close Iranian diplomatic missions associated with the transnational repression and put all sanctions into force. MEPs also want the EU and like-minded partners to provide Iranians with tools to ensure safe and secure internet access for Iranian people, that face an imposed internet blackout.

With the UN independent fact-finding mission on Iran (FFM) warning that Iranian government oppression is leading to crimes against humanity, Parliament is demanding the EU make sure the Mission receives enough funding to pursue its work.

The resolution was adopted by 516 votes for, 14 against and 39 abstentions.

The situation of women and girls in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s adoption of the criminal procedure code for courts

MEPs strongly condemn the Taliban’s recent adoption of the Criminal Procedure Code for Courts, which advances the systematic persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan and institutionalises massive violations of fundamental rights, including gender apartheid, slavery and corporal punishment.

Parliament wants the Afghanistan government to immediately repeal the Code, end public floggings, executions and all restrictions on women and girls, LGBTQ+ persons, religious minorities and other vulnerable groups. MEPs demand stronger EU action, including the enforcement of International Criminal Court arrest warrants, expanded human rights sanctions against Taliban leaders responsible for the persecution of women and girls , and increased humanitarian assistance for those combating famine in the country and for Afghan women human rights defenders, judges, lawyers, journalists, activists and women led organisations .

MEPs urge the Council and the Commission to condemn slavery, gender apartheid and the forced marriage of children at all diplomatic levels and to support the recognition of these acts as crimes against humanity in the proposed Crimes Against Humanity Treaty. They also call on the European Commission and member states to maintain non recognition and non-normalisation of the Taliban regime and regret the decision to invite the Taliban to Brussels.

The resolution was adopted by 480 votes for and 5  against, with 83 abstentions.

The cases of human rights and environmental defenders Andrie Yunus and Muhammad Rosidi in Indonesia

MEPs call on Indonesian authorities to investigate the recent acid attacks against environmental and human rights activists Andrie Yunus and Muhammad Rosidi , and to end impunity for human rights violators. They want Indonesia to reconsider and amend recent legal reforms that expand military powers over civilian sectors undermining civilian oversight, restricting fundamental freedoms and risking entrenching impunity. Parliament is also concerned about government plans that risk increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, including draft laws on disinformation, broadcasting and cybersecurity, as well as plans to determine who among human rights defenders qualifies for legal protection.

Indonesia is an important partner for the European Union, MEPs stress, in addressing regional challenges ranging from economic security and environmental degradation to regional security and freedom of navigation. They want the EU to make sure that human rights, labour and environmental commitments are addressed in its relations with Indonesia. They point to the deteriorating situation in Papua and West Papua as an issue that should be addressed within the EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue.

The resolution was adopted by 469 votes in favour and 38 against, with 62 abstentions.