When asked about the situation of dual nationality EU-Iranians imprisoned in Iran, an EU spokesperson told EUROPE that the defence of human rights remains a fundamental part of the European policy on re-engagement with Iran.
Since 2016, the two parties have been engaged in a high level dialogue to discuss the situation in Iran and address the concerns raised by these dual nationality citizens.
"The EU closely monitors the cases of EU-Iranian citizens imprisoned in Iran ", the spokesperson stated. However, the responsibility of consular protection falls upon the member states. That is why the EU "raises individual cases with the Iranian authorities directly" only "on request from the member states and/or from family members of the dual nationality citizens", the spokesperson said. This is the case, for example, with Professor Dr. Ahmedreza Djalali, who was sentenced to death in October 2017.
In the European Parliament's resolution of 31 May, MEPs called for the creation of a "special internal team" for the assistance of these dual nationality citizens who have been imprisoned and sentenced in Iran (see EUROPE 12031). For the moment, the European External Action Service had not replied to this call, but the EU has set up other mechanisms for cooperation with Iran.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif notably committed, in April 2016, to hold discussions and to move on to an exchange of visits on human rights as part of the high level political dialogue between the EU and Iran (see EUROPE 11534).
This communication mechanism was highlighted at the European Parliament by European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides during the debate on the resolution on 31 May. During the two rounds of discussions as part of the political dialogue, in February 2016 and November 2017, "a number of questions were raised, including the death penalty, women's rights and conditions in Iranian prisons", he said. Stylianides stated that there was an "openness also on the Iranian side to engage constructively". (Original version in French by Carmen García)