During the EP plenary session (28-31 May 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate and vote on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Statements by Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Klaus BUCHNER (Greens/EFA, DE), Soraya POST (S&D, SE), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL) and Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, on the situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran. Statements by Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL) and Bill ETHERIDGE (EFDD, UK) on Women's rights defenders in Saudi Arabia. Statements by Julie WARD (S&D, UK) and Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, on Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Iran (T)

EU - Saudi Arabia (T)

vote

respect for human rights in the world (T)

POST, Soraya (S&D, SE)

LOCHBIHLER, Barbara (Greens/EFA, DE)

STYLIANIDES, Christos (CY, EC)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

SCHAAKE, Marietje (ALDE, NL)

EU - Sudan (T)

WARD, Julie (S&D, UK)

BUCHNER, Klaus (Greens/EFA, DE)

ETHERIDGE, Bill (EFDD, UK)

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debate and extracts from the vote

Situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran: There are several EU-Iranian dual nationals detained in Iranian prisons, including Mr Ahmadreza Djalali, a Swedish-Iranian researcher who has been accused of spying and sentenced to death following an unfair trial, with no access to a lawyer or to the necessary medical care, while under imminent threat of execution and in poor health. Also Mr Kamran Ghaderi, an Austrian-Iranian citizen, was on a business trip to Iran when he was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison after the prosecution used a coerced confession; Currently detained in Iran is Mrs Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian who worked for a charitable organisation and has been diagnosed with advanced depression; whereas Mr Abbas Edalat, a British-Iranian academic, was arrested in April 2018 and the charges against him have not been communicated yet. European Parliament condemns the continuing practice of imprisonment of EU-Iranian dual nationals by the Iranian authorities following unfair trials; calls for their immediate and unconditional release, or for them to be retried in accordance with international standards, and for the officials responsible for the violations of their rights to be held accountable;

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Iran' detention of a number of dual nationals is continues to place a strain on relations within it and the EU member states. Today's resolution topic is sometimes lost in the mist of broader issues such as the unrelated JCPOA on the nuclear deal. Iran sadly continues to support terrorist groups and does indeed practice internal repression of human rights abuses at home. Many of these EU dual nationals including Mrs Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe a British citizen have been detained on spurious charges without any recognise due process by international standards, and are often denied access to consular assistance as Iran doesn&rsquo;t recognise their second EU nationality.

SOUNDBITE (German), Klaus BUCHNER (Greens/EFA, DE), We will ask the Iranian authorities to look at the 4 individuals mentioned in the resolutions and return them to Europe. That will apply in particular to Dr Ahmadreza Djalali.

SOUNDBITE (English), Soraya POST (S&amp;D, SE), I am very worried about the reports of recent deaths in detention, especially as no Iranian official has ever held accountable for the violations of human rights of person in state custody. Also the cases where imprisoned individuals are sentenced to death are extremely worrying. The EU is committed to the universal abolition and an immediate stop of the death penalty

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Dual nationals are used by Iran's rulers as political ponds, they suffer imprisons without access to lawyers, doctors and EU diplomats . Often they are forced into confessions after which torture and possibly the death penalty can follow. The fact that EU citizens are seen as only Iranians - when they still have that nationality - tells us all we need to know about the countless Iranians and how they are treated unjustly in prisons . We call for their release .

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, I wish to underline that the EU has never refrain from raising human rights issues in our contacts with the Iranian authorities, we have constantly called for the respect of human rights, both in public statements, and in particular in private conversations.

Women's rights defenders in Saudi Arabia: Since 15 May 2018 Saudi authorities have arrested seven women &ndash; Loujain al-Hathloul, Aisha al-Mana, Madeha al-Ajroush, Eman al-Nafjan, Aziza al-Youssef, Hessah al-Sheikh, Walaa al-Shubbar &ndash; and four men &ndash; Ibrahim Fahad Al-Nafjan, Ibrahim al-Modeimigh, Mohammed al-Rabiah and Abdulaziz al-Meshaal &ndash; for their women&rsquo;s rights activism. The European Parliament Calls on the Saudi authorities to put an end to all forms of harassment, including at judicial level, against Ms Eman al-Nafjan, Ms Aziza al-Youssef, Ms Loujain al-Hathloul, Ms Aisha al-Mana, Ms Madeha al-Ajroush, Ms Hessah al-Sheikh, Ms Walaa al-Shubbar, Mr Mohammed al-Rabiah, and Mr Ibrahim al-Mudaimeegh and all other human rights defenders in the country, so that they are able to carry out their work without unjustified hindrance and fear of reprisal. <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/nextDebate/pdf.html?env=INTRA&amp;debate=D8965&amp;date=20180531" target="_blank"></a>

SOUNDBITE (German), Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Women in Saudi Arabia are still denied some basic human rights. Whether they are travelling, working or wishing to marry. What is happening is really window dressing. The recent arrests targets critics and it&rsquo;s completely unacceptable. Activists must be released immediately.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), The promise of reforms under the 2030 strategy has been tarnished and we should hold Saudi Arabia to its  acts not just its beautiful promises made alongside celebrities in foreign  countries. The release of women&rsquo;s rights activist should be the first step.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bill ETHERIDGE (EFDD, UK), Freedom is an unstoppable, uncontrollable ideal. No repressive state or religious superstition can ever defeat it in the long run. It&rsquo;s promotion is our greatest weapon against the forces of darkness and repression. Many of these forces so well highlighted by the regime in Saudi and the ideals that they export through their funding of mosques in other parts of the world.

Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad: <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/nextDebate/pdf.html?env=INTRA&amp;debate=D8996&amp;date=20180531" target="_blank"></a>Noura Hussein Hammad was forced by her family to marry Abdulrahman Hammad when she was a child of 16; whereas Noura has stated that she was first raped by her husband with the assistance of members of his family; whereas, according to her testimony, on 2 May 2017, three men held Noura Hussein down while Abdulrahman raped her; whereas Noura stabbed her husband to death in self-defence when he attempted to rape her again the following day; whereas a subsequent medical examination indicated that she had also been injured during the struggle with her husband. European Parliament reminds the Sudanese authorities of their obligation to guarantee fundamental rights, including the right to a fair trial; insists that all necessary measures must be taken to ensure that Noura Hussein Hammad&rsquo;s trial genuinely meets the highest standards of fairness and due process

SOUNDBITE (English), Julie WARD (S&amp;D, UK), Nora was married at the age of 16 against her will , and subjected to sexual violence and humiliation. She deserved to have access to a fair and transparent trial , that's gives her the opportunity to defend herself. As part of the European Union struggle for gender equality I urge the High Representative to use all the means at her disposal to prevent the Sudanese authorities from executing Nora who was a victim of sexual violence. she is our sister in the global struggle to end gender-based violence.

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Nora's story has not cause public outcry internationally, but more importantly also within Sudan. The criminal justice system ought to prevent and protect women and girls from all forms of violence. This is sadly not the case in Sudan, rape, including by habitual or cohabiting partners should never be tolerated under any circumstances.