The European Parliament warned on Sunday that the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown on protests in the country may constitute crimes against humanity and called for the reports of the death toll to be documented and confirmed by the UN.
The European Parliament's statement made clear that the MEPs condemned the violence “particularly targeting civil society actors, protesters, women, minorities, and communities.” It also called for the immediate release of women currently detained, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
The parliament said it adopted a resolution calling for an end to the violence and repression, “including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and torture.”
The resolution also calls for an end to the harassment and prosecution of doctors and healthcare workers providing treatment to the injured.
Calls for UN documentation
MEPs expressed concern over reports estimating that the death toll may amount to approximately 35,000 victims, according to the statement, which would meet the threshold for crimes against humanity.
They called for the atrocities “to be independently documented by UN bodies,” with evidence preserved for any future prosecution.
The parliament stressed the need for accountability through international judicial systems.
It also called for expanded targeted sanctions and for the EU and its member states to develop strategies to support the families of detainees to prevent the regime's use of hostage diplomacy.