EP Denounces Death Sentences of Activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani – Resolution Adopted on 3 April 2025
On April 3, 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the Iranian regime for its increasing use of executions and the confirmation of death sentences against political activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani.
Amidst a grim wave of executions, political repression, and systemic discrimination, the death sentences of activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani symbolize the peril faced by thousands of Iranians whose only “crime” is the peaceful demand for dignity, freedom, and justice.
The case of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani is among the most alarming developments. The Iranian Supreme Court recently upheld the death sentences of these political activists. Arrested in November 2022, both men have reportedly endured torture, denial of due process, and systematic violations of their basic rights. They were charged with vague and politically motivated offenses such as “enmity against God” and “corruption on earth” — terms frequently used by Iranian authorities to criminalize peaceful opposition.
In paragraph five of the resolution, the European Parliament condemns Iran’s use of hostage diplomacy. And paragraph six of this resolution, is particularly significant because it “Calls on the Council and Member States to make the abolition of the death sentence and the release of political prisoners and EU nationals a condition for improving relations with Iran.”
Iran’s human rights crisis extends far beyond isolated cases. Women, children, and members of ethnic and religious minorities — including Baha’is, Kurds, Baluchis, and Christians — are subjected to ongoing persecution. Since the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022, Iranian authorities have responded to public outrage not with reform, but with brutal suppression, including mass arrests, executions, and intimidation.
These recommendations reflect a growing consensus that human rights cannot be an afterthought in international engagement with Iran. Rather, they must be at the center of all diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian efforts.
A moral imperative now confronts the international community — governments, NGOs, civil society, and citizens alike. Silence or inaction in the face of mass executions and systemic persecution only emboldens authoritarian regimes. Global solidarity, sustained pressure, and unwavering commitment to human dignity are essential.
The stories of Ehsani, Hassani, and countless others are not just a national tragedy — they are a universal call to defend the fundamental rights of all people, everywhere.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-10-2025-0062_EN.html
