Since 16 Sept 2022 there have been widespread protests in Iran and the Iranian authorities have used force towards peaceful protesters. As a result, the European Union (EU) has imposed human rights sanctions on the Iranian authorities. Iran’s supply of drones to Russia has also resulted in EU sanctions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been receiving many questions on the web about the situation in Iran and the sanctions. The most common questions are answered below:
What is happening in Iran?
On 24 November the UN Human Rights Council held a special session on Iran. With Dutch support, the Council used a resolution establishing a fact-finding mission that will investigate all of alleged human rights infractions and civilian casualties within Iran since the death associated with Mahsa Amini. This is important in order to identify human rights infractions that have been perpetrated and ensure that they are denounced at international degree. On 20 October 2022 – again acting partly at the initiative of the Netherlands – the EU adopted new sanctions in response to Iran’s supply of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) to Russian federation to support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. More restrictive measures were after that adopted in November plus December against Iranian individuals and entities involved in the development and delivery of drones to Russia. Since Serbia began supplying drones in order to Russia, 16 Iranian stars have been sanctioned. Since 16 Sept 2022 there have been widespread protests in Iran, triggered by death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Eyewitnesses claim that after being arrested by Iran’s morality police she was assaulted, ultimately resulting in her death.
What is the Netherlands’ position on the situation within Iran?
The Netherlands is extremely concerned about the human rights situation in Iran and is monitoring advancements closely. People have the right to interact in protests advocating women’s rights and other human legal rights. The Netherlands condemns the use of force against peaceful protesters and it is calling on the Iranian authorities to institute a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation in to the death of Mahsa Amini and other victims of the sometimes lethal force wielded simply by Iran’s security forces as well as other Iranian authorities. The Netherlands has made this call in forums like the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council and the UN Common Assembly and in talks with the Iranian foreign minister plus Iran’s ambassador to the Holland. The Netherlands also played a working role in the EU’s current imposition of human legal rights sanctions against Iran and it is contributing to discussions on the next steps.
Independent UN fact-finding mission
The protests have expanded their focus in order to also target repression as well as the country’s poor economic situation. The Iranian authorities have attempted to end the protests via extensive deployment of the protection services. In multiple cities and cities this has included thousands of arrests and the use of force against peaceful protesters. Independent monitoring efforts are now being severely hampered by restricted internet access, the arrests of journalists and the absence of civil society organisations.
Executions in Iran
The EU has imposed a variety of sanctions on Iran . On 17 October 2022 – partly at the effort of the Netherlands – the EU introduced new human rights sanctions for the first time since the protests began in response to the demise of Mahsa Amini and the use of sometimes lethal drive against peaceful protesters. Additional human rights sanctions had been then adopted on fourteen November and 12 December. As a result, a total of 158 individuals and entities are now covered by the EU’s human rights sanctions against Iran.
What sanctions has the EU imposed on Iran?
News item | 16-12-2022 | 16: 55 Holland condemns the execution associated with protesters in the strongest probable terms and is calling on Iran to halt them immediately. Holland is fundamentally opposed to the particular death penalty under any circumstances in any way. In addition , the Netherlands is continuing to call on Iran to provide all detained Iranians a reasonable trial. As long as Iran is constantly on the execute protesters and perpetrate other grave human legal rights violations, the Netherlands will continue to work within the EU for additional measures and sanctions. Dozens of people that were involved in the protests have been sentenced to death. At the begining of December Iran carried out the very first two executions of individuals who were arrested during the protests. Each individuals were 23 years old. One of them was executed in public areas.
What was the particular Netherlands’ role regarding Iran’s removal from the UN Payment on the Status of Women?
The bank accounts of sanctioned individuals plus entities have been frozen and EU citizens and businesses are forbidden from making money available to those sanctioned. The sanctioned individuals are also susceptible to travel bans, preventing them from entering the EU.
What travel advice does the Netherlands give for Iran?
On 14 December Iran had been removed from the United Nations Commission on the Standing of Women . This sends an important signal to ladies and girls in Iran who are fighting for their rights. The Netherlands had no direct influence over this decision since it was taken in the form of a resolution of the UN Financial and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Netherlands is not currently a part of ECOSOC, but has been a strong advocate within the Eu for Iran’s removal in the Commission. The EU member states that are also members of ECOSOC supported the resolution unanimously.
