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Mr President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,  

It is important to have this opportunity to discuss today what is happening across Iran after the death of a young woman. Mahsa Amini was arrested by the police and died - was killed - during her arrest at the police station.  

Let me express my condolences to the family. This is something that has to be said although it is not going to be very useful for them.  

Also, let me express our admiration for the demonstrations – mainly women and also men across Iran protesting her killing and the repression that they have suffered that has cost tens of people killed. These are facts, these are not opinions. These are facts. In the streets of Iran, the repression of the demonstrators has left behind tens of people killed.  

Mahsa Amini was only 22 years old. She was visiting the capital of her country. And the morality police – even the name ‘morality police’ sounds bizarre to our ears – detained and mistreated her simply because of her headscarf, and she ended up in hospital where she died shortly after. These are facts.  

Following that, following her passing – should I say, her killing – we have seen a wave of indignation and outrage turning into nation-wide protests in Iran.  

Iranians - and especially young Iranians - have taken to the streets to express their anger, their aspirations for a better future free from oppression. There are countless testimonies of brave women and men expressing their dissent in their cities, on social media. We have seen them chanting “Women, Life, Freedom” - three key words. These Iranian women have been the force driving the dissent. They ask for respect, justice and equality – nothing more, nothing less.   

As the European Union’s representatives, we called immediately for the Iranian authorities to ensure the respect of fundamental rights of Iranian citizens. In a meeting in New York, President [of the European Council, Charles] Michel and I had with Iranian President [Ebrahim] Raisi, we raised this situation directly to him and called for accountability for the death of Mahsa Amini and restraint in the government’s reaction to the demonstrations.  

Unfortunately, it did not happen. Numerous reports clearly show that the response of Iranian security and police forces has been disproportionate and resulted – as he said – in tens of dozens of lives lost. Many more have been injured and detained, including several journalists covering the events. And we have to see clear indications of a credible investigation that could ensure accountability for what has happened. Accountability - [there is] not at all. 

Also, the internet has been shut down in many areas of the country. Iranians – and the world – lost access to information about what was happening there as well as the opportunity to use online platforms to express their dissent – which is another deliberate violation of freedom of expression in the country.  

I think it is important, here at the European Parliament, to show a strong and united reaction by the European Union.  

On my side, on behalf of the 27 Member States, I publicly expressed - in my Declaration of 25 September - the widespread and disproportionate use of force against nonviolent protestors and considered that the way it is: unjustifiable and unacceptable. People in Iran, as anywhere else, have the right to peaceful protest. It is as simple as that. And it is clear that this right has not been ensured.  

Together with the Member States, we will continue to consider all the options at our disposal, including restrictive measures, to address the killing of Mahsa Amini and the way Iranian security forces have been responding to the demonstrations.  

I will raise this at the next Foreign Affairs Council with my colleagues. And, when I am saying restrictive measures, I am using the wording of the Treaty [on European Union (TEU)], because in the Treaty you will not find the word ‘sanctions’. The only thing that you will find in the treaty is ‘restrictive measures’, and that is what I am talking about.  

Thank you. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-230744 

Closing remarks  

Mr President, Honourable Members [of the European Parliament],  

This long debate testifies your continued interest and engagement on human rights in Iran, in particular.  

We all share the shock for what happened to Miss [Mahsa] Amini and for the violent repression of the protests. We also all share the same support for the courage of the Iranian people who are demonstrating in the streets and facing a difficult situation. 

We will continue to follow what is happening in the country, and to use every opportunity to raise our position and our concerns on the human rights in Iran.  

As I mentioned, we will continue to consider all the options at our disposal, including restrictive measures. The Foreign Affairs Council will decide about it in [their] next meeting. This will be addressed at this  [Council] in two weeks from now, and I am sure that they will react accordingly with your wishes and concerns.  

Thank you. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-230746