Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-11-21-Speech-4-218"
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"en.20021121.11.4-218"2
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"Mr President, we are greatly concerned about the new series of arrests and sentences which reformists and those who exercise their fundamental right to freedom of expression in Iran have been subject to.
Following his speech last June on religious reform, given in western Iran, the university professor, Hashem Aghajari, was arrested and, this month, was sentenced to 74 lashes, followed by eight years’ imprisonment and the death penalty. Professor Aghajari, who lost his right leg during the Iran–Iraq War, needs medical attention. He was expected to appeal to a higher court, but Professor Aghajari had the courage to defy the legal system by refusing to go to appeal. For several days, Teheran has been the scene of heated student protests and, I am glad to say, President Khatami has announced that he does not support the sentence, which was ordered to be reviewed on 17 November by Supreme Leader Khamenei.
In the past, we have called repeatedly on Iran to apply the death penalty only to people who have committed the most serious crimes, in observance of the commitments assumed in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
In its Conclusions on 21 October, the Council agreed to initiate a dialogue with Iran on human rights, thereby confirming its concern over this area, including violations of civil and political rights and, especially, freedom of expression. The Council also mentioned its traditional, resolute opposition to the death penalty.
On 18 and 19 November in Brussels, President Prodi and Commissioner Patten met Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mr Kharrazi, who undertook to participate in future dialogue between the European Union and Iran on human rights, and challenged, together with other leading Iranian figures, Professor Aghajari’s unjustified sentence.
The dialogue on human rights is, in effect, an appropriate forum for the consideration of individual cases. The Commission will monitor developments extremely closely and remain in contact with Parliament and the Member States.
I would like to add that the Commission feels that initiating the talks, which will also include a political dialogue, is in the interests of Iran and the European Union – see the Conclusions of 17 June 2002 – and, furthermore, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement will contain a clause on human rights. In addition, the negotiation process will allow us to exert pressure while, at the same time, supporting President Khatami and the reformists."@en1
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