European Parliament, in a resolution adopted by a large majority, strongly condemns the "repression, persecution and threats" against the Iranian lawyer and 2003 Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi and expresses its grave concern at the intensified persecution of human rights defenders in Iran.
On 21 December 2008, Iranian police and security officials closed the Centre for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) led by Ms Ebadi as it was preparing to hold a celebration marking the 60th anniversary of Human Rights Day. Eight days later, her office was searched and documents and computers were removed.
The closure of the CDHR is "not only an attack on Shirin Ebadi and human rights defenders in Iran, but an attack on the entire international human rights community of which she is an influential and leading member", say MEPs
There is increasing evidence that the Iranian authorities' persecution of Shirin Ebadi has intensified because of her contact with UN human rights officials and their use of information provided by her centre in a UN report of 2 October 2008 on the situation of human rights in Iran.
MEPs urge that the Iranian authorities put an end to the repression, persecution and threats against Shirin Ebadi, authorise the re-opening of the CDHR, and allow the CDHR, the HROK and other human rights associations to function unhampered.
Intimidation of political opponents and human rights defenders
The EP also reiterates its concern regarding the persecution and imprisonment of citizens who engage in the defence of human rights and who campaign against the death penalty, which frequently leads to them being charged with so-called activities against national security.
One case for serious concern is that of Mohammad Sadiq Kaboudvand, a prisoner of conscience whose health has deteriorated since imprisonment. The resolution calls both for his immediate and unconditional release, and for an end to the "harassment, intimidation and persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders, including by releasing persons imprisoned arbitrarily or on the basis of their political views".
Appeal to respect religious minorities
Observing that believers of the Baha'i faith are harshly persecuted in Iran, the EP appeals to the Iranian authorities to "live up to the government's requirement to respect religious minorities". The resolution asks that Bahia' leaders who have been imprisoned solely on the basis of their belief be promptly released.
EU Trade Agreement depends on improvement of human rights situation
The resolution emphasises that any future conclusion of a Cooperation and Trade Agreement between Iran and the EU depends also on a substantial improvement in Iran's human rights situation.
Looking to the future, Parliament urges the Council and Commission to continue their examination of the human rights situation in Iran and to submit to it in the first half of 2009 a comprehensive report on the matter and to continue to raise specific cases of human rights abuses.
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