The Iranian regime is responding to the protests with extreme and ruthless violence. Tens of thousands of people have been shot, and many more have been arbitrarily arrested. Prisons are overcrowded with protesters — prominent human rights defenders as well as individuals whose names we may never know. Even behind bars, repression continues. Detainees report torture, sexualised violence, forced confessions, and threats of execution. The regime’s intention is unmistakable: to instill fear, crush resistance, and suffocate any future protest movement before it can even emerge.
In my speech in the European Parliament, I made clear: whether or not there is an Iran–Trump deal does not change our responsibility toward the people of Iran. If we want to remain credible, we must take a clear stance and stand with those fighting for dignity, rights, and democracy.
My speech:
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More InformationEuropean Parliament Calls for Concrete Consequences for the Iranian Regime
In its resolution of 12 February 2026, adopted by a broad majority, the European Parliament calls, among other measures, for:
- An immediate end to all executions
- The release of all arbitrarily detained individuals
- Targeted sanctions against those responsible, including asset freezes and travel bans
- The rigorous enforcement of existing sanctions and the prevention of any circumvention
- International accountability, including the possible referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court
