On Saturday 7 January, a spokesperson of the European External Action Service condemned the execution of Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini, who were arrested and sentenced to death in connection with the ongoing protests in Iran. Both men were hanged. They were 22 and 39 years old respectively.
The spokesperson said that the EU was “appalled” by the executions, calling them “yet another sign of the Iranian authorities’ violent repression of civilian demonstrations”. “Fundamental rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, must be respected in all circumstances”, he warned in a statement.
The spokesperson reiterated the EU’s call on the Iranian authorities to immediately end the “strongly condemnable” practice of issuing and carrying out death sentences against protesters, to immediately annul the recent death sentences already passed in the context of the ongoing protests, and to ensure due process for all detainees. So far, 14 people have been sentenced to death. Four of them have already been executed.
The authorities “must ensure that those who are under any form of detention or imprisonment are not subject to any form of mistreatment”, the spokesperson added.
Several Member States have summoned the Iranian ambassador in their country to present their reprimands regarding the situation. Asked by EUROPE, the EEAS said the Iranian ambassador would be summoned and that EU member states were keeping each other informed of their respective actions. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)