On 26 January 2026, the Delegation for Relations with the People of Iran held a public meeting in the European Parliament in Brussels. As Chair of the delegation, I invited Professor Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam (Director of Iran Human Rights), Fariba Baloch (President of the Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center), and Sardar Pashaei (Kurdish human rights activist and wrestler) to share their assessment of the situation in Iran and the ongoing repression. Here is the link to the livestream.
In recent weeks, people across Iran have taken to the streets to protest against the regime. The fact that demonstrations have quieted in recent days is not a sign of political de-escalation. It is the direct result of brutal force and targeted intimidation.
What the speakers reported
The speakers delivered a clear message: repression is nationwide, systematic, and politically orchestrated. It affects the whole population, but ethnic and religious minorities are being hit especially hard.
Security forces of the regime are deliberately firing at protesters. They arbitrarily detain people, deny medical care. Leave families without information about where their relatives are or what has happened to them. Some of those arrested in connection with the protests have also been executed.
A key focus of the meeting was the situation of ethnic minorities. In Balochistan and the Kurdish regions, today’s violence intersects with decades of marginalisation. These areas are heavily militarised. Civic space is being shut down, and entire communities are punished collectively.
Repression does not stop at Iran’s borders. Intimidation, surveillance, and threats against activists, journalists, and Iranians in exile are increasing. Transnational repression is a central tool of the regime — and it reaches into the heart of our societies in Europe.
The Revolutionary Guards must be listed as a terrorist organisation in the EU
There was broad agreement: responsibility for these grave human rights violations lies with Iran’s political and military leadership. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps play a central role. Europe must respond with clear political consequences.
On 22 January 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution by a broad majority, which I negotiated on behalf of the Greens/EFA. It sends a clear political message: Europe stands with the people of Iran and demands consequences for those responsible.
Yet the terrorist listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continues to be blocked in the Council. Given the current escalation, this is inexcusable. We will keep up political pressure ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January 2026. Europe must not hesitate now.
