Brussels – European Parliament, June 17, 2025
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,
– having regard to the Third Geneva Convention and the Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners,
– having regard to Articles 32, 37, 38 and 39 of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI),
– having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,
– whereas Iranian regime widely practices a hostage taking policy against foreign nationals and currently holds in detention dozens of innocent EU nationals;
– whereas on April 25, 2016, Dr. Ahmad Reza Djalali, a Swedish-Iranian disaster-medicine expert, was arrested by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence;
– whereas Djalali has been denied adequate medical care despite severe physical deterioration and the risk to his life, including a recent heart attack that he suffered while being held at Evinprison; whereas Iran has continued to threaten the implementation of his death sentence, including in apparent response to recent developments.
– whereas international bodies and human rights organisations have warned that Iranian authorities are holding Djalali hostage and threatening to execute him as a means to put pressure on foreign Governments;
– Whereas we note a horrific rise in executions in Iran; whereas hundreds of individuals have already been executed in 2025, and in 2024, at least 972 individuals were executed – a 14% increase since 2023;
– whereas the Iranian government refuses to recognise. Djalali’s legitimate Swedish citizenship;
– whereas the defence of human rights, democracy and the rule of law should be a priority in EU-Iran relations;
