Near and Middle East
As Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the People of Iran and a Member of the Delegations for Relations to Afghanistan, Irak and the Arab Peninsula (substitute), I often travel to the Near and Middle East. Talking to those in power there is often a balancing act. We need to exchange with them, for example, to organise humanitarian aid or to fight the climate crisis. But it is just as important to clearly name those who commit human rights violations, to support civil society on the ground and to show solidarity with those who stand up for democracy and human rights, even when faced with tough opposition. For me, one thing is clear: a values-driven foreign policy tries to do justice to these different goals as best as it can.
And in doing so, we must not omit another issue: Worldwide, most military equipment is exported to the Near and Middle East. If you need proof that more weapons do not lead to more peace and security, countries like Yemen, Syria or Afghanistan are the best examples. In this context, we must critically rethink our own export policy.
My assessment of the latest developments involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The regime in Iran systematically and brutally suppresses any form of dissent. In the European Parliament, we once again debated the situation in Iran during plenary and adopted a resolution. We must decisively increase pressure on the regime and provide meaningful support to the people of Iran.
Violence is escalating once again in northeastern Syria. In the European Parliament, we call on all parties to uphold the ceasefire and guarantee minority rights. Syria is not safe for returns.
After years of blockades in the Council, we have finally succeeded: the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are on the EU terrorist list. What this means:
The Iranian regime is responding to nationwide protests with extreme violence. As Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the People of Iran, I invited Professor Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, Fariba Baloch, and Sardar Pashaei to discuss the situation in the country and what the EU can do.
This week, the European Parliament held a debate on the nationwide protests in Iran and the regime’s brutal repression. In addition, we adopted a resolution in support of the people of Iran. More on our demands:
Protests in Iran are escalating dramatically. People across the country are taking to the streets – despite deadly violence, mass arrests, and targeted internet shutdowns. The regime is under massive pressure. Europe must not remain silent now.
Together with six other colleagues from Greens/EFA I visited East Jerusalem and the West Bank - on a mission to see the situation on the ground, listen to people directly affected, and assess developments that are often discussed in Europe without enough attention to daily reality.
The EU has sent a clear message to Tehran: the systematic persecution of minorities, especially the Bahá’í, must end immediately. As the initiator for the Greens in the European Parliament, I stand firmly with those affected and demand concrete consequences.
My trip to Syria made clear: returning will not be easy. Syria is still not safe. Anyone deported there today would end up with nothing. Instead of an ideological debate, we need responsible solutions – for example in the form of “go-and-see visits”.
We cannot fully rely on Trump to achieve a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine. In the European Parliament, we debated what role Europe should play.
The EU has reimposed its sanctions on Iran – a long-overdue step. But the regime continues to terrorize its own people and seeks its future not in peace, but in new alliances of oppression.