Polish judiciary reform infringes EU law, European Court of Justice rules
Rule of law is “an integral part of the identity of the European Union”, the judges held Poland’s highly contested 2019 reform of the judiciary is not in line with […]
Dear Mr. Borrell,
At least 14 citizens of the European Union are currently detained arbitrarily in Iran. Many have been held in solitary confinement for extended periods of time, in inhumane conditions and without a fair trial. Jamshid Sharmahd of Germany and Ahmadreza Djalali of Sweden have been sentenced to death and could be executed at any moment.
So far, attempts by member states to secure the release of their respective citizens imprisoned in Iran have been unsuccessful.
In view of the values of the European Union enshrined in the Treaty and the conclusions of the Council of the EU of 12 December 2022 which stated that “the European Union strongly rejects Iran’s practice of arbitrary detention of foreign citizens, including dual nationals, and calls upon Iran to end the distressing practice of detaining innocent foreign civilians with a view to making political gains”, we wanted to ask you the following questions:
We would be most grateful if you could share your answers with us at your earliest convenience.
UPDATE: We have received a response to our letter. Scroll down to read the response from the head of the Iran Division at the EEAS, the European External Action Service.
We have sent a letter to HRVP @JosepBorrellF.
— EU Watch (@EUWatchBrussels) April 17, 2023
We have asked what he and the 🇪🇺 diplomatic service have done to free EU citizens detained in #Iran, such as 🇩🇪 Jamshid Sharmahd and 🇸🇪 Ahmadreza Djalali who are both facing execution.
Here's the letter: pic.twitter.com/7cHzvGl0Ro
Dear Mr. Thaidigsmann,
Thank you for your letter of March 31 addressed to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HRVP).
The increasing number of EU and dual EU-Iranian citizens detained in Iran is a matter of serious concerns. This is clearly indicated in the Council Conclusions adopted last December, outlining the EU’s policy approach towards Iran and which you referred to. Before answering your questions, allow me to recall that under EU and international law, EU Member States have primary responsibilities on their respective consular cases. As a result, the EU provides all the support the EU Member States concerned need to complement their consular efforts.
Turning now to your questions:
-The HRVP and his services are in constant coordination with EU Member States with active consular cases and use their direct channels with the Iranian authorities to facilitate the release of EU and dual EU citizens held on spurious grounds. On 20 February 2023, the HRVP issued a statement on behalf of the EU calling upon Iran to end the distressing practice of detaining foreign civilians with a view to making political gains.
-As part of the close coordination with EU Member State with active consular cases, it is common for the HRVP and his team to be in touch with some of the families concerned.
-As part of its comprehensive policy approach, as outlined in the Council Conclusions of December 2022, the EU will continue to respond to developments in Iran by taking into account all tools at its disposal, including further restrictive measures. Of note, the Foreign Affairs Council has been addressing situation in Iran in every single session since October and adopted 7 consecutive rounds of sanctions for human rights violations.
-The EU has listed the IRGC under several EU sanctions regimes, either in its entirety or individuals/entities of the IRGC.
Kind regards,
Dr. Bruno Scholl
Head of the EEAS Iran Division
Rule of law is “an integral part of the identity of the European Union”, the judges held Poland’s highly contested 2019 reform of the judiciary is not in line with […]
EU Watch recently sent a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell in which we asked him what he and the EU diplomatic service have done to free EU citizens detained in Iran, such as Jamshid Sharmahd (Germany) and Ahmadreza Djalali (Sweden) who are both facing executions.
German national Jamshid Sharmhad was hijacked by Iranian agents in Dubai in 2020. His daughter Gazelle is campaigning for his release and urges Europe to take a tougher line with the Islamic Republic.
Should Iran’s Revolutionary Guard be added to the EU terror list? What has been done to free European citizens held hostage in Iran? Is the current EU policy vis-à-vis the Iranian regime effective? Leading experts give their insights. Join us for this online event.
Mariam Claren is campaigning for the release of her mother who was been held in the notorious Evin prison in Iran since 2020. Are European governments doing enough?
INTERVIEW: The former senior European Commission official is tasked with overseeing the implementation of restrictive measures. EU Watch sat down with him for an interview.
The latest proposals adopted can be a “game-changer” but swift implementation is needed, argues Green Party MEP Daniel Freund in an EU Watch interview.
INTERVIEW: The change from unanimity to qualified majority voting in the foreign policy won’t radically transform the EU. But it could help forge a faster policy and actions, argues SWP EU expert Nicolai von Ondarza.
The European Union should list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, argues the Middle East expert Matthew Levitt
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter
EU Watch - Website: DIREXION Web Agency
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |