EU honours Jina Mahsa Amini on her death anniversary

Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Jina Mahsa Amini’s death anniversary, the European Union honors her and the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement, condemning Iran’s human rights abuses.

On the anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini’s death, the EU’s High Representative is reported to have released a statement honoring her memory and acknowledging the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement. This movement, they note, has been fueled by the courage and determination of countless Iranians, particularly women. Two years ago, Iranians carried to the streets to demand respect for fundamental freedoms. With the dire human rights crisis in Iran, especially suppressing the rights of women, these voices, calling for dignity and equality, must still be heard and respected.

How has Iran’s crackdown affected the movement?

The statement conveyed that the crackdown on the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement by Iranian authorities had resulted in hundreds of deaths, thousands of unjust detentions, and significant restrictions on freedom of opinion, expression, and other civic liberties. It was noted that Iranian judicial authorities had imposed disproportionately harsh sentences, including the death penalty, on protesters. 

What actions has the EU taken against Iran’s human rights abuses?

The EU reportedly used this occasion to reaffirm its strong and unequivocal stance against the death penalty in all situations and contexts, especially given the concerning rise in executions in Iran in recent years. Additionally, the EU highlighted that international law prohibits torture absolutely, with no justification or exception permitted.

The EU persists in calling upon Iran to eliminate, in law and practice, all forms of systemic prejudice against all women and girls in public and private life and to take gender-responsive measures to control and ensure protection for women and girls against sexual and gender-based brutality in all its forms. 

Moreover, the European Union urges Iran to execute the relevant international treaties and agreements to which it is a party, to permit free and unhindered access to the country for relevant UN Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures mandate holders, and to fully collaborate with the independent, international Fact-Finding Mission mandated by the Human Rights Council.  The EU also calls on Iran to instantly cease the unacceptable and unlawful practice of arbitrary arrest, including of EU and dual EU-Iranian citizens and to instantly set them free.