Parliamentary questions
12 October 2010
E-8251/2010
Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 117
Marietje Schaake (ALDE)
Subject: Human rights abuses — Iran — US sanctions
On 29 September, President Obama signed an Executive Order that imposes sanctions on Iranian officials determined to be responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses involving Iran. In signing today’s Order, the President identified eight individuals for sanctions who share responsibility for the sustained and severe violation of human rights in Iran since the June 2009 disputed presidential election by listing them in the annex to the Order. (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/148345.htm)
This Order provides the United States with new tools to target human rights abuses engaged in by officials of the Government of Iran. As a result of this action, any property in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons in which the individuals listed in the annex have an interest is blocked, and US persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The individuals listed in the annex to the Executive Order are also subject to visa sanctions.
— Does the High Representative agree that human rights violations of the most serious kind are systematic and ongoing in Iran? If not, why not?
— Is the High Representative willing to follow in the United States´ footsteps to ensure that the EU acts as a community of values and sends a clear signal that it will hold human rights violators accountable for their responsibility in violating human rights? If not, why not?
— Is the High Representative willing to include sanctions related to censorship, limiting Internet access, filtering, wire tapping and other ways in which freedom of expression and access to information are limited in Iran? If not, why not?
— Does the High Representative propose additional other measures to hold human rights violators in Iran accountable? If not, why not?
— Is the High Representative willing to provide shelter in Europe, such as through the Shelter Cities programme, to Iranian human rights defenders? If not, why not?
— In which ways will the EU seek to bring those responsible before a court of law in order to prevent impunity?
Please find the answer here.
