David McAllister – Plenary Speech on the repression of women’s rights protesters in Iran

The massive protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody have spread to over 171 cities in all 31 provinces of Iran. The people are protesting against a deeply corrupt and violent regime • that systematically oppresses women • and responds to political resistance with brutal violence and repression. In reaction to these protests, the mullahs’ security forces have so far killed hundreds of people. The violent crackdown on peaceful protestors must stop immediately. We as European Parliament call on the Council to impose tough sanctions responding to serious human rights violations as soon as possible. The regime in Teheran has maneuvered itself into a dead end. As European Union, we stand in solidarity at the side of the brave women and men with their democratic aspirations in their fight • for women’s, human and minority rights, • for free flow of information and access to internet, • and for a free, secular and democratic Republic.