2015/2274(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that the Council’s decision to lift all nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran as a result of implementation of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action provided the ~~potential to reopen the Iranian market for European businesses~~increase in mutually beneficial trade with the European Union; rRecalls that Iran has a large, relatively highly educated population, one~~eds investment and is a potential market for high-quality European goods~~ of the most diverse GDP compositions in the region, and would benefit from European investments and technology transfers in areas such as sustainable water management, pollution reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that while implementing the JCPOA and while enhancing our trade and investment relations with Iran we have to take into consideration the regional dimension, to stimulate cooperation between countries in the region and play a constructive role to decrease perpetual rivalries between them;

Amendment 11 #

David BORRELLI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to break Iran’s self-chosen isolation; in this regard, trade could be an important tool to strengthen the political dialogue and the development of bilateral relations between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system ~~is a potential~~can be a way to break Iran’'s ~~self-chosen isolat~~international isolation and increase regional development, employment and stability in the wider region;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to bincreakse Iran’'s ~~self-chosen isolation~~integration as a responsible member of the international community and the global economy;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to bincreakse Iran’´s ~~self-chosen isolation~~integration in the international community and the global economy;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that t~~rade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to break Iran’s self-chosen isolation~~he nuclear agreement with Iran makes it possible for European countries to cooperate fully with it, which will be of benefit to all;

Amendment 16 #

Eleonora FORENZA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to break Iran’s ~~self-chosen~~ isolation;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls for coherence between the EU's trade policy and the principles of EU energy policy and believes that all current and future EU projects and investments in Iran must be fully in line with EU long- term decarbonisation commitments;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Considers it of key importance to reduce the European Union´s dependency on imported energy, in particular by increasing the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Supports the long-term goal of the EU as laid out in the European Commission Report "Towards an Energy Union" to move away from an economy driven by fossil fuels in light of Iran´s commitment to increase the production and the export of oil and gas to the European Union;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that the Council’s decision to lift all nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran as a result of implementation of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action ~~provided~~allows a reengagement with Iran and will create opportunities and benefits for both sides, by providing the potential to reopen the Iranian market for European businesses; recalls that Iran has a large, relatively highly educated population, needs investment and is a potential market for high-quality European goods;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and trade- circumventing sanctions, which have lead to a grey economy and represent a risk to European investments ; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption, to implement a credible banking system, with an independent central bank, to ensure the protection of the invested capital in compliance with FATF recommendations, in particular in relation to intellectual property rights and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector to ~~develop~~expand in Iran;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Expresses concern abou~~Notes that the high levels of corruption andre a problem and that trade- circumventing sanctions~~, which~~ have lead to a grey economy; ~~stresses, there~~points out, however, that it is fore, the ~~need to fight corruption and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector to develop in Iran~~Iranian people and its leaders to solve that problem and that there must be no EU interference in the internal affairs of what is a sovereign country, since that has often led to major foreign-policy mistakes;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and trade- circumventing sanctions, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector and market economy to develop in Iran;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption ~~and trade- circumventing sanctions~~, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector to ~~develop~~expand in Iran;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and ~~trade- circumventing sanctions~~bureaucracy, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need ~~to fight corruption and~~for increased transparency, and for a truly private sector to develop in Iran;

Amendment 25 #

Tokia SAÏFI, Franck PROUST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran ~~must go hand in hand with~~shall be conditional on substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people; recalls that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a signatory to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and calls upon Iran to honour its international commitments more consistently;

Amendment 26 #

Eleonora FORENZA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human ~~right~~and labour rights, social and environmental international standards and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people and to ask Iran to ratify and fully implement all the 8 ILO core conventions;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. EPoints out that EU trade policy helps to protect and promote the values upheld by the EU; emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU Member States and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran,; and ~~that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage~~considers rapid evidence of improvements to human rights and fundamental freedoms to be of upmost importance for a renewal of commercial and investment ties to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and ~~that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage~~ to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 30 #

Tokia SAÏFI, Franck PROUST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that ~~a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that~~, while human rights and fundamental freedoms are essential principles for European countries, the EUre must ~~use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and~~be distrust of policies that may be perceived by others as imposing Western notions and, accordingly, regarded as cultural colonisation; hopes that the wellbeing of the Iranian people will improve;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regime, potentially creating problems for EU companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals; emphasises that it is important for Iran to develop an environment conducive to international investment and that that must take place with due regard for the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF);

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that ~~some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regime, potentially creating prob~~the current EU mandate for the negotiations of a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Iran is outdated; calls on the Commission to explore options for strengthening trade and investment ties with the aim to bring Iran closer to the WTO rulems ~~for EU companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals~~and protect European investment; stresses that a formal negotiation framework would allow the EU to fully use its leverage as the largest integrated market and economic bloc and create a forum for exchange and dialogue;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the ~~regime, potentially creating prob~~state. Ask the Commission to present the European Parliament a report after two years of the lifting of the sanctions on potential obstaclems for EU companies operating in Iran, and th~~at increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelec~~e impact this trade relations might have on the transparency and functioning of stated in~~dividual~~stitutions;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regime, potentially creating problems for EU companies in Iran~~, and that~~; states in this connection that it must be possible for increased trade ~~could~~to strengthen the economic~~, military and political power of certain unelected individuals~~ power of the country and of any individual without wealth being monopolised;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that ~~some sectors~~up to 70% of the Iranian economy ~~are heavily controlled by the regime~~is state controlled, potentially creating problems for EU Member State companies in Iran, and that increased trade ~~could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals~~, on the condition of evidence of improvements to human rights, could enhance of the role of the private sector;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the ~~regim~~state, potentially creating problems for EU companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Emphasises that Iran faces many environmental challenges, including water scarcity and land degradation and that while taking advantage of the full potential of business cooperation, the EU should engage with Iran to enhance the protection of environment and promote environmentally sustainable development;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Notes that the current EU mandate for negotiations of a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Iran is outdated; calls on the Commission to explore options for strengthening trade and investment ties with the aim to bring Iran closer to the WTO rules and protect European investments; stresses that a formal negotiation framework would allow the EU to fully use its leverage as the largest integrated market and economic bloc and create a forum for exchange and dialogue;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Notes that European environmental technology and know-how in the areas of energy efficiency, water management and agricultural irrigation is at the global forefront; beliefs that the transfer and export of these technologies must be prioritized in the renewed trade efforts between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the European Union;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to explore the possibility of restarting Iran’s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran’s economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules-based system and provide a mechanism to hold the regime to account on commitments madeNotes that Iran, as a sovereign country, may decide whether or not to apply for membership of the WTO and that the EU must not seek to influence a sovereign country's choices;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to ~~expl~~supporet the possibility of restarting Iran’s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran’s economy ~~to drive growth~~, will provide technical assistance on tariff structures, on public procurement, health and safety standards, rules of origin and intellectual properties rights, embed the country in the global rules-based system and provide a mechanism to ~~hold the regime to account on commitments made~~support necessary economic reforms within Iran and drive growth;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to explore the possibility of restarting Iran’'s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would ~~bring a~~ further liberalisation of Iran’'s economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules-based system and provide a mechanism to hold the ~~regime~~Islamic Republic of Iran to account on international commitments ~~made~~;

Amendment 43 #

Tokia SAÏFI, Franck PROUST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to ~~explore the possibility of~~support restarting Iran’'s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran’'s economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules- based system and provide a mechanism to ~~hold the regime to account on commitments made~~support necessary economic reforms within Iran;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Emphasises also the importance for Iran to develop economic and trading relations with the actors in the region in order, with due regard for WTO rules, to form a cohesive economic and trading bloc; points out that the EU can provide its expertise and backing for developing and building up this regional dialogue;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Takes the view that, although many contracts have been signed with EU firms, Iran is unable to honour its commitments because of a lack of liquidity, meaning that the process of opening up Iran is caught in a vicious circle;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US; urges the Member States and the Commission to defend EU companies against the extraterritorial application of US law;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; ~~calls~~regards it as intolerable that the EU should be dependent on the US Government to provide it with legal certainty and predictability, including ~~by granting~~through waivers, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability for EU investment in Iran, including by granting waivers immediately, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Regrets that the ~~American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran~~EU companies with US business activities are reluctant to do business in Iran due to remaining American sanctions; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability~~, including by granting waivers,~~ and asks the Commission ~~to increas~~and the EEAS to continue dialogue and cooperation with the US; including by granting waivers on a temporary basis until a final permanent solution is agreed on;

Amendment 5 #

Daniel CASPARY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that ~~while~~ several EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties~~, the delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade Commissioner~~;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Regret~~Notes that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commissionimportantly some US sanctions are not affected by the nuclear deal and will remain in place, in particular sanctions related to human rights abuses, support for terrorism and testing of ballistic missiles, and asks EU Member States to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; c~~Acknowledges, that non-nuclear related US-sanctions, linked to human rights and ballistic weaponry, remain in place. Calls on the US Ggovernment to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Takes the view that legal uncertainty surrounding investment in Iran, because of US extraterritorial laws and the fact that transactions are conducted in dollars, call for a change in approach to trading with Iran; calls for the euro to be the currency for transactions with Iran so as to prevent US authorities from imposing penalties as they have done in the past against some EU banks;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Notes that EU is aiming to a diversification of energy resources and that Iran is a key player on the international energy market and therefore supports further cooperation with Iran in this field ; encourages Iranian oil and gas exports to Europe and enhancing the cooperation for the development of new technological solutions, renewable energies and energy efficiency;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines the potential of an open and safe internet in Iran for the digital economy; reiterates its call for an effective European export controls regime to prevent ~~certain~~dual-use goods and technologies being misused for human rights violations and against the EU;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Notes that the effective implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility and supply-chain due- diligence guidelines is crucial if increased trade relations between the EU and Iran are to have a positive effect on Iranian society as a whole.

Amendment 56 #

Marietje SCHAAKE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Calls for specific attention for the role of SMEs from Europe and Iran, when strengthening trade relations;

Amendment 57 #

Marietje SCHAAKE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Underlines the particular need for gender balanced and inclusive growth in Iran; Urges a particular focus on the role of women in Iran who face legal discrimination, as well as European women visiting Iran, given the requirement of wearing religious symbols which can deter women from traveling to Iran;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that ~~while~~ several EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties~~, the delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade Commissioner~~;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that while several Commission statements and EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties, the delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade Commissioner;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that while several EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties, the delegation from the Commission unfortunately did not include the Trade Commissioner;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that ~~while~~ several EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties, the ~~delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade~~latest comprising EU High Representative/Vice President and seven Commissioners;

source: 583.926

2016/08/10 AFET 254 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)

A. whereas internal political developments in Iran and the agreement on the nuclear issue have opened an opportunity for reforms within Iran and for developing its external relations with the EU,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 c (new)

– having regard to Iran's persisting refusal to cooperate with several UN human rights bodies, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, preventing him from fulfilling his mandate in an independent manner,

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises ~~that differences exist~~ disagreement between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’'s own commitments under human rights and humanitarian law, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on~~Strongly opposes the use of the death penalty in Iran; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;

Amendment 102 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on~~Strongly condemns the use of the death penalty in Iran; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for partly addressing this question;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless~~Strongly condemns the continued application of the death penalty in high numbers particularly for people convicted of drug smuggling without due process or fair trial; believes cooperation on anti- narcotics programmes and on ~~the question of~~ending juvenile executions~~, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question~~ should be addressed;

Amendment 104 #

Tunne KELAM, Eduard KUKAN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Re~~cognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the~~mains highly concerned with Iran's use of the death penalty; ~~nevertheless~~ believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could ~~provide~~be first steps toward finding a common agenda for addressing this question;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and~~Condemns Iran on the continuous and frequent use of the death penalty, especially death penalty against juveniles; sees ending the application of death penalty as one of the core objectives, especially on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’'s own commitments~~, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question~~;

Amendment 106 #

Javier NART, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Supports the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and encourages the Government of Iran to use the recent extension of their mandate to engage with the UN, EU, and other international organisations on human rights issues;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses that the cornerstone for EU relations is based on the respect for human rights and democratic principles;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;deleted

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences wcould ~~drastically~~ reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;

Amendment 11 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, in particular those of 10 March 2011 on the EU’s approach towards Iran1 , 14 June 2012 on Situation of ethnic minorities in Iran1a , 17 November 2011 on Iran - recent cases of human rights violations1b and of 3 April 2014 on the EU strategy towards Iran2 , __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0096. 1a Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0265 1b Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0517 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339.

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Takes note of~~Underlines the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls on the Iranian authorities to put a moratorium on the death penalty; calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against ~~drugs~~illegal drug trade as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country without directly or indirectly becoming complicit in the arrest of people who face the death penalty; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq while expressing the rights of people and the right to ask for asylum;

Amendment 111 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country, while respecting human rights; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building ~~for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq~~; stresses that all cooperation with anti-narcotics programmes must be focused on addiction prevention and harm reduction programs and not focus on technical assistance to law enforcement and security forces until Iran eliminates the death penalty for narcotic offenses;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); ~~calls for EU-Iran cooper~~is aware of dangerous global connection between drug trafficking which benefits terrorist organizations in the ~~fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country~~region, namely Hezbollah; is convinced that successful fight against drug trafficking in the region cannot be achieved without stopping Teheran's support for Hezbollah; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Afghanistan and Iranq to enable ithem to secure ~~its~~their borders with ~~Afghanistan and Iraq;~~ Iran;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for, at least, crimes not considered the "most serious", such as drug- related offences ~~would drast~~might help to significalntly reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs ~~as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country~~to integrate all necessary human rights safeguards and be conditioned on the abolition of the death penalty for drug crimes; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); c~~Calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq in its fight against drug trafficking;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 116 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building ~~for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq~~aimed at bolstering the rule of law in Iran, including by promoting reform of the justice system to improve accountability and alternatives to imprisonment and the death penalty;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to ~~provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq~~ensure that any technical or other assistance offered to Iran to counter the flow of illegal drugs is not used to commit human rights violations and is conditioned on the abolition of the death penalty for drug crimes;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates), while executions can in no way be justified; calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation ion the ~~fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission~~reduction and treatment of drug addiction, but urges the EU not to provide ~~technical~~ assistance ~~and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq~~to drug enforcement and border management programs as long as drug related offenses can carry the death penalty;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, in particular those of 10 March 2011 on the EU’s approach towards Iran1 , 17 November 2011 on cases of human rights violation in Iran, 14 June 2012 on Situation of ethnic minorities in Iran, and of 3 April 2014 on the EU strategy towards Iran2 , __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0096. 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339.

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would d~~Highlights the scope for EU assistance and dialogue on combating drug trafficking, provided that Iran authorities take steps to abolish the prasctic~~ally reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % accord~~e of juvenile executions as a matter of urgency; ing t~~o Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country~~his context, invites the Commission and the EEAS to explore options for stronger EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences wcould drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); is deeply concerned that trumped-up drug trafficking charges are often used to eliminate political opponents; calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as aone way of addressing the issue of executions in the country~~; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq~~, while respecting human rights norms;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation ~~in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country~~with the aim of reducing application of death penalty to drugs related offences; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;

Amendment 123 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Recalls that the EU and Iran have decided to face issues of common concern in a constructive manner; calls for an EU strategy for re-engagement with Iran to be based, initially, on confidence-building measures in technical areas that would create positive precedents of EU-Iranian joint work and can pave the way for more meaningful long-term cooperation;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as one measure addressing the issue of executions related to drug offences in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;

Amendment 125 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Believes that cooperation on anti- narcotics must be limited to addiction prevention and harm reduction programmes and avoid technical assistance to law enforcement and security forces until Iran eliminates death penalty for narcotics offences;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the re-assessment of qualifying container scanners as a dual- use item, which hinders the scanning of freight containers in the countering of illegal smuggling of narcotics;

Amendment 127 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

~~7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of establishing an institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement.~~deleted

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to explore ~~the possibility of establishing an institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement.~~conditions and forms for future relations with Iran, based upon the opening up of the Iranian economy, reforms allowing for closer economic cooperation and mutual trust, respect for human rights, efforts to fight terrorism instead of sponsoring it and accepting all the existing states in the region with regards to their right to safe and secure borders, thus contributing to peace and stability;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, in particular those of 10 March 2011 on the EU’s approach towards Iran1 ~~and of 3 April 2014 on the EU strategy towards Iran2 , __________________ 1 2~~, of 14 June 2012 on situation of ethnic minorities in Iran, of 17 November 2011 on cases of human rights violations and of 3 April 2014 on the EU strategy towards Iran2 , __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0096. Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0096. 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339. Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339.

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to ~~explore the possibility of establishing an~~assess changes in Teheran's external and internal policies from aggressive and oppressive ones to based on international cooperation and full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, which should be the base of the possible future institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement.;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of establishing an institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement. should Iran fulfil all its commitments under the terms of the JCPOA and make significant progress on economic, political, social and human rights reform;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of establishing an institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement. in order to initiate negotiations about this, however, human rights, democracy and a complete halt to all forms of support for terrorist organisations are needed;

Amendment 133 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of establishing an institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement; considers that account should be taken in this connection of the Member States’ own diplomatic services, and in particular those of the European nuclear powers;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of establishing an institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement. based on a clear set of benchmarks which should be met prior to opening any negotiations;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of establishing an institutional framework for cooperation with Iran~~, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement.~~;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of ~~establishing an~~moving towards a future institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement.;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the EU and Iran to re- establish the human rights dialogue, including representatives from the judiciary, security forces and civil society organisations, which would operate in the framework public interim and long-term benchmarks;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the EU strengthen support to multilateral human rights dialogue with Iran and calls on Iran to fully cooperate with the UN human rights body;

Amendment 139 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; ~~calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran~~recalls that the EU used to be Iran's main trading partner and believes it should aim at recovering that position again; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; believes the expansion of trade and investment with Iran can, at the same time, contribute to promoting peace and stability in the wider region, if the EU can seek opportunities for regional investment schemes, for example in relation to energy and transport connectivity; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, in particular those of 10 March 2011 on the EU’'s approach towards Iran1[1], 17 November 2011 on Iran – recent cases of human rights violations, 14 June 2012 on situation of ethnic minorities in Iran, and of 3 April 2014 on the EU strategy towards Iran2 , __________________ 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339. Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339.

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; ~~calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particul~~notes that the IMF estimates that the Iranian shadow economy constitutes approximately one third of the country's total GDP; recalls, in this regard, ~~support for work tow~~the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards fCor~~ging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran~~ps (IRGC) within the Iranian economy, being involved in smuggling and drug trafficking; calls on the Iranian government to dismantle the IRGC's own financial assets, as this bars any sound economic reform and development; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; believes, however, that substantial economic reforms must be implemented before any trade agreement can be reached; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; underlines that the European Union does not stand in the way of permitted business activity with Iran, and will not stand in the way of international firms or financial institutions' engaging with Iran, as long as they follow all applicable laws; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, including tackling the emerging terrorist financing risks; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran, should the FATF review confirm substantial progress in the aforementioned cases; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO after it has been removed from the FATF Public Statement list;

Amendment 143 #

Tunne KELAM, Eduard KUKAN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’'s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’'s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; takes note that Iran is the world’'s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’'s bid to join the WTO provided that Iran complies with all the requirements of non-discrimination in the field of employment and respects workers freedom of association including the right to form independent unions;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Ir, and to guarantee that financial flows to terrorists and terrorist groupings are prevented, detected and halted; calls on the EU to support Iran’s efforts in this process; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran once the FATF has concluded after its twelve months review confirming that Iran would have had implemented the Action Plan; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO after it has been removed from the FATF black list;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal~~Underlines that European investments are critical for reaching Iran's own stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent, economic environment conducive to international investment ~~and take~~, including the rule of law, independence of the judiciary, stability of property rights, and anti- corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’'s efforts in this reform process ~~via, in particular, support for work~~which, if successful, could pave the way towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; takes note that Iran is the world’'s largest economy outside the WTO; ~~support~~believes, in this ~~regard,~~that the EU should, in principle, encourage and support Iran’'s bid to join the WTO; , once and if Iran moves forward the requisite reforms;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that ~~European~~Member State investments ~~are key for Iran to achieve this goal~~can contribute to this goal provided that the market is not preempted by the Americans through unfair practices; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment, ands well as takeing anti- corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EUMember States to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, ~~support for work towards forging a bilateral investment~~encouragement for the signing of multilateral treatyies between ~~the EU~~EU Member States and Iran; calls for ~~the EU~~all Member States to develop economic cooperation with Iran; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;

Amendment 147 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

– having regard to the statement by the VP/HR Federica Mogherini on the execution of a juvenile offender in Iran of 14 October 2015 and on the condemnation of Iranian human rights defender Narges Mohammadi of 20 May 2016,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; ~~stresses that for~~encourages Iran to realise its economic potential, ~~it will have~~ to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and to take anti-corruption measures~~, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force~~; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 154 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Notes that Iran is the second largest economy in the Middle East after Saudi Arabia with an estimated nominal GDP of $397 billion in 2015 and that the Iranian economy is currently reliant on the oil and gas sector, with significant agricultural, industrial, and service sectors; further notes that EU trade with Iran currently stands at about $8 billion and is expected to quadruple in the next two years;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Calls on Iran to initiate legislation to allow workers to exercise their right to form and join independent trade unions and to collectively bargain in line with Iran's obligations under international law; and take steps to respect, promote and realise the principles and rights set out in the ILO's fundamental conventions, including Conventions 87 and 98;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Is worried about the extensive control of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps over the Iranian economy, urges the Commission to find mechanisms for EU companies to be able to verify before signing contracts with Iranian partners that the money will not be transferred to the war zones in the region;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Is concerned about the delay in the appointment of a chair of the WTO working group on Iran´s accession; calls on the Commission to fully exert its influence in order to remove this obstacle without delay and start the process of Iran´s accession to the WTO;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to 14 October 2015 statement by the VP/HR Federica Mogherini on the execution of a juvenile offender in Iran and her 20 May 2016 statement on the condemnation of Iranian women rights defender Narges Mohammadi,

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Welcomes the fact the Iranian Government is keen to attract foreign investment, with foreign direct investment needed across all major economic sectors; notes that more than $1 trillion of investment in infrastructure is likely to be needed over the next 10 years, providing opportunities for European businesses, including in the energy, automotive and airline manufacturing sectors;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Welcomes the fact that a growing number of small European banks are now active in Iran, facilitating credit to SMEs;

Amendment 162 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)

8c. Encourages the EU to use its relationship with Iran to insist the authorities tackle problems in the country's banking system, including measures to bolster anti-money laundering and terrorism-financing laws;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls the impact that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to create the necessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives; recalls the increasing concerns expressed in several resolutions and declarations adopted by United Nations entities, human rights bodies, including the Commission on Human Rights, as well as the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly their negative impact on the human rights of the civilian population of Iran; highlights the significant adverse effect on the country's economy, its population and ultimately on the enjoyment of human rights of the people of Iran, including its right to food, its right to health and its right to development;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Re~~call~~grets the impact ~~that extraterritorial US~~of US primary sanctions, in particular ~~US-related~~ the ban on dollar- denominated transanctions ~~on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to create~~, which are undermining the delivery of expected economic benefits from the JCPOA to the Iranian people; stresses, at the same time, that greater efforts to ensure an environment conducive to international investment is essential for Iran to realise its economic potential; calls, in this regard, on Iran to ensure transparency of its financial sector and to fight corruption and money laundering, in line with the nrec~~essary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians f~~ommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF); welcomes the Iranian government's Action Plan on the recommendations of the FATF as well as the technical meelting ~~relief from sanctions in their everyday lives~~s held on 12 July between EU and Iranian officials to undertake the necessary reforms in this regard;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls the negative impact that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran, including businesses from EU countries; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to bring closer the economies of the EU and Iran, create the necessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives;

Amendment 168 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Eduard KUKAN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls the impact that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran, while noting that the sanctions are a response to Iran's support for international terrorism; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to create the necessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections, unanimously adopted on 26 March 1994 by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, of which the Iranian parliament is a member,

Amendment 170 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Recalls~~Expresses its regret at the impact that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to create the necessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls the ~~impact~~uncertainty that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, ~~have on~~create for EU businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to create the necessary c~~onditions~~larity and legal certainty for EU businesses to ~~prosper~~work in Iran a~~nd contribu~~fter t~~o Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives~~he lifting of sanctions in line with the JCPOA;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls the impact that ~~extraterritorial US~~the lifting of international sanctions, in particular ~~US-related sanctions~~ on banks, will have on the willingness of businesses ~~willing~~ to invest in Iran; ~~insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to~~believes that both Iran and EU have a shared interests in createing the necessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Expresses concern over the extensive control of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps over the Iranian economy; calls for the Commission to develop adequate verification tools to ensure that profits from EU - Iran trade are not channelled into paramilitary organisations in the region;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Believes that the lifting of sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA is an important element in demonstrating European good faith towards Iran, as well as providing mutual economic benefit; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, ~~and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma;~~

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Believes that the lifting of sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA is an important element in demonstrating European good faith towards Iran, as well as providing mutual economic benefit; notes, however, that while most economic and financial sanctions have now been lifted, some remain in place and are not affected by the nuclear deal; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Believes that the lifting of sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA is an important element in demonstrating European good faith towards Iran, as well as providing mutual economic benefit; calls for the lifting of sanctions to enable economic operators to consider a rapid and effective return to Iran; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Believes that the lifting of sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA ~~is an important element in demonstrating European good faith towards Iran, as well as providing~~will yield mutual economic benefits; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ~~similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma~~;

Amendment 179 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Eduard KUKAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Believes that the lifting of the nuclear related economic and financial sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA is an important element in demonstrating ~~European good faith~~that the EU has implemented its commitments towards Iran, as well as providing potential for mutual economic benefit; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy; having regard to the EU Annual reports on Human Rights,

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Believes that the lifting of sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA is an important element in demonstrating European good faith towards Iran, asnd weill ~~as providing mutual economic~~ingness to strengthen economic cooperation for the mutual benefit; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma;

Amendment 181 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Believes that the lifting of sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA is an important element ~~in demonstrating European good faith towards~~to impulse economic and social cooperation with Iran, as well as providing mutual economic benefit; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Calls on the EU to engage EU- based business companies to ensure full transparency of their activities in Iran and to require that EU-based investors carry out human rights due diligence, including human rights impact assessments, of their operations in Iran, publicly reporting on their human rights policies, environmental and social risks, the impacts of their activities, and measures taken to mitigate negative impacts with regards to Iran;

Amendment 183 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Welcomes the fact that JCPOA has already brought positive results, such as the 22% increase in trade between Iran and the EU during the first three months of 2016, compared to the same period of 2014, the fact that 30 Iranian banks have reconnected to SWIFT, as well as the JCPOA's positive impact in reinforcing the trend of diminishing inflation and interest rates in Iran;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Considers the lack of freedom of expression online, the systemic surveillance and monitoring of internet traffic as well as the lack of digital freedoms to be an obstacle to trade with Iran, as well as a violation of people's rights and freedoms;

Amendment 185 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Shares the VP/HR's assessment that the results of the elections to the parliament of Iran and Assembly of Experts have shown a clear desire of the people of Iran to continue the course of moderation and incremental reforms, especially in economic area;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Calls for a specific assessment of the impact of human rights when EU companies export telecoms, law- enforcement, IT, surveillance and other dual-use items;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)

10c. Welcomes the 180 trade delegations that visited Teheran since the signature of the JCPOA, including from 15 EU member states as a sign of growing interest in economic relations with Iran; calls on the EU and its member states to explore the use of exports guarantees credits to boost trade, project financing and investment in Iran;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)

10d. Supports the positive conclusion of the agreements between the Iranian government and Airbus and Boeing, as a further confidence-building measure following the adoption of the JCPOA;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. BNotes that Iran has the second largest gas reserves in the world and fourth largest oil reserves and wishes to increase oil output to one billion barrels per day in 2016; further notes that Iran shares the world's largest gas asset with Qatar and has the potential to become a leading LNG exporter if it can access the right technology; believes the lifting of economic sanctions has the potential to unlock significant spending on the oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy, which would benefit from investment and access to new technology; believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, thereby contributing to the EU’s energy security;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the 2015 Annual Report on the Protection of the Constitution of the German Federal Ministry of Interior,

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, thereby contributing to the EU’s energy security; calls for coherence between the EU's energy trade policy and the principles of EU's energy policy and believes that all current and future EU projects and investments in Iran must be fully in line with the EU's long term de- carbonization commitments;

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, thereby contributing to the EU’s and Iran's energy security; calls for European companies to invest in the Iranian energy sector; calls, in particular, for the EU´s support in developing LNG technology in Iran;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, thereby contributing to the EU’s energy security, reducing Member States' energy dependency from single suppliers and responding to additional regional security challenges;

Amendment 193 #

Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, thereby contributing to the EU’s energy security, given that Iran owns the world's fourth largest oil reserves and the world's second largest gas reserves;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, thereby contributing to the EU Member States’s energy security;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that energy cooperation can play a significant role in diversifying the sources of energy supply to the EU, ~~thereby contributing to the EU’s energy securit~~and limiting its dependence on one energy supplier only;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Recognises the geo-strategic importance of improving cooperation between Iran and the EU through cross- border projects, in order to facilitate more energy source diversification;

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Takes note that currently more than half of Iranian households’ energy needs are met by natural gas; stresses the great potential of developing renewable energies in Iran, a country with on average 300 days of sunshine per year, and an estimated production capacity equivalent to 13 times Iran’s total energy consumption; believes that the development of renewable energies could reduce the hazardous impact of the use of natural gas on the environment; further stresses the importance of regional cooperation projects, which will contribute to regional energy resource diversification;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Takes note that currently more than half of Iranian households’ energy needs are met by natural gas; stresses the great potential of developing renewable energies in Iran, a country with on average 300 days of sunshine per year, and an estimated production capacity equivalent to 13 times Iran’s total energy consumption; calls on the Commission to support the development of renewable energies in Iran as a contribution to diversifying the country's energy mix;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Takes note that currently more than half of Iranian households’ energy needs are met by natural gas; stresses the great potential of developing renewable energies in Iran, a country with on average 300 days of sunshine per year, and an estimated production capacity equivalent to 13 times Iran’s total energy consumption; in the sector in question, the EU contribution in terms of its resources, experience and technology will be very significant;

Amendment 2 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Eduard KUKAN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)

B. whereas following the Iran Nuclear Deal and internal political developments in Iran, there is now an opportunity for reforms in the country and for improvement of its relations with the European Union,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)

– having regard to its previous resolutions on EU Annual reports on Human Rights; having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2015 on death penalty,

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Takes note that currently more than half of Iranian households’' energy needs are met by natural gas; stresses the great potential of developing renewable energies in Iran, a ~~country with on average 300 days of sunshine per year, and an estimated production capacity equivalent to 13 times Iran’s total energy consumption~~nd recognises a great potential for cooperation in this field;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on Iran to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and for EU-Iran energy cooperation to be consistently underpinned by the aim of improving environmental and social as well as economic benefits ~~of both peoples~~the people of both Iran and the EU;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Calls on~~Proposes that Iran mighto join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and ~~for~~hopes that EU-Iran energy cooperation towill be consistently underpinned by the aim of improving environmental and social as well as economic benefits of both peoples;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for environmental cooperation in the areas of water conservation management, the fight against desertification, earthquake monitoring, as well as addressing air pollution and waste management; expresses its particular concern in this context over the alarming disappearance of Lake Urmia and other water bodies as well as the pollution levels of the Caspian sea and urges active support by the EU and the member states of the efforts by the Iranian government to reverse the dramatic destruction;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for environmental cooperation in the areas of water conservation management, including supporting Iran in saving Lake Urmia, the fight against desertification, earthquake monitoring, as well as addressing air pollution and waste management;

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Welcomes the fact that Iranian environmental NGOs have developed partnerships with other NGOs in the region; welcomes their participation to the IUCN and Ramsar Conventions; calls on the Commission to assist Iranian NGOs in the development of participatory management projects;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

~~15. Takes~~Believes that nuclear energy has revealed itself once for all as an outdated technology, being too dangerous, costly and pollutant; underlines that this is particularly true for countries prone to earthquakes, such as Iran; takes additionally note of studies stating that ~~15.~~ nuclear energy might not be competitive in Iran due to low reserves of uranium and the costs of extracting it; ~~calls,~~supports nevertheless~~, on the Commission to explore the potential for~~ nuclear civilian cooperation with Iran, in line with the commitment of the JCPOA when it comes to nuclear safety of existing installations, and to encourages Iran to sign the Convention on Nuclear Safety; encourages Iran to consider the proposal by some Iranian officials for establishing a regional dialogue on safety and security of civil nuclear programmes;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Takes note of studies stating that nuclear energy might not be competitive in Iran due to low reserves of uranium and the costs of extracting it; calls~~, nevertheless,~~ on the Commission to explore the potential for nuclear civilian cooperation with Iran, in line with the commitment of the JCPOA, and to encourage Iran to sign the Convention on Nuclear Safety; encourages Iran to consider the proposal by some Iranian officials for establishing a regional dialogue on safety and security of civil nuclear programmesncourage Iran to sign the Convention on Nuclear Safety; demands that Iran follows and respects the instructions and recommendations of the IAEA;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Takes note of studies stating that nuclear energy might not be competitive in Iran due to low reserves of uranium and the costs of extracting it; calls, nevertheless, on the Commission to explore the potential for nuclear civilian cooperation with Iran, in line with the commitment of the JCPOA, and to encourage Iran to sign the Convention on Nuclear Safety; ~~encourages Iran to consider~~welcomes the proposal by some Iranian officials for establishing a regional dialogue on safety and security of civil nuclear programmes;

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Encourages the EU and its Member States to continue exploring all areas of business cooperation with Iran, including through the facilitation of trade export credits, project financing and investment; further offers assistance to the Iranian authorities on sectoral reform, market liberalisation, and measures to improve Iran's economic progress; encourages those businesses from the European Union seeking to do business in Iran to ensure contracts adhere to internationally accepted guidelines on human rights and workers’ rights;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)

– having regard to statement made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 5th July 2016,

Amendment 210 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes thatBelieves that, in accordance with the principles of international law, EU- Iran cooperation on refugee management can ~~enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing~~contribute to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts an estimated 3 million Afghan refugees, of which only an estimated 950 000 are United Nations-registered, as Iranian authorities have not provided all of them with an opportunity to legally claim asylum; is extremely worried by the reports of Afghan refugees being trained in Iran and sent to fight in Syria and calls on Iran to clarify on these allegations; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements; believes that EU-Iran cooperation should also include a comprehensive dialogue on migration, especially on policy and legislative approaches and priorities in relation to regular and irregular migration, asylum seekers and refugees, both at national and regional levels;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; stresses the need to take concrete measures that safeguard the human rights of Afghani migrants and Afghani refugees in Iran; including their right to due process and equality before the law; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international human rights law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 214 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; regrets that a large influx of young Afghan men into Turkey and the EU was caused by covert recruitment of Afghan fighters by Iran to fight for Syrian president Assad; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support ~~Iran in~~ the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes ~~that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding~~international aid organisations are best positioned to receive EU funds and to provide aid; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management should improve the well-being of refugees in Iran and prevent human traffickers, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; remains highly concerned about reports of Iran's systematic dispatching of Afghan refugees to fight in Syria; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan nationals, of whom only 950 000 have formal legal status in Iran as refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the ~~lives of~~human rights of asylum seekers and refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; remains concerned with recent reports of Afghan refugees being dispatched to fight in Syria; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; calls Tehran to stop recruitment of Afghan refugees to fight in Syria; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

– having regard to resolution on Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (70/173) adopted by the UN General Assembly on 17 December 2015,

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes positive note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees making Iran one of the major refugee hosting countries; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support Iran in the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. RBelieves that youth exchange programs are among the most successful activities to bring societies and cultures closer together and calls on the EEAS and the Iranian government to explore a window for EU-Iran informal youth exchanges within Erasmus+ for 14 to 18 year olds; further recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian ~~academic~~professionals and researchers to study and undergo training in ~~European universities~~the EU;

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran and the vibrancy of its society can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU, based on principles of reciprocity and mutual respect; ; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers, including the participation of young people in EU programmes (Erasmus+), and cooperation between Universities; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian academics and researchers to study and undergo training in European universities;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers, including in the field of environment, renewable and clean energies, justice and human rights, good governance, civic participation, addiction prevention and harm reduction; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian academics and researchers to study and undergo training in European universities;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of ~~visa liberalisation~~privileged mobility for Iranian academics and researchers following strict controls on the conditions required for granting this privilege with the objective goal in future of liberalising the visa regime for them to study and undergo training in European universities;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 226 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. RNotes that with a population of around 80 million people more than 60% are estimated to be under 30 years old and the workforce is highly educated; further recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian academics and researchers to study and undergo training in European universities;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 229 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian academics and researchers to study and undergo training in European universitiesis concerned by reports of various European intelligence and security agencies that Iran continues its espionage activities in EU Member States aimed at obtaining technological knowledge on the production of weapons of mass destruction;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

– having regard to the March 2016 Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers~~; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian academics and researchers to study and undergo training in European universities~~ including in the field of environment, renewable energies, justice and human rights, good governance;

Amendment 231 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Calls for an establishment of an EU program to bring together researchers and students from Iran, GCC countries and Europe to study the experience and lessons learned of the regional integration in Europe.

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Expresses grave concern over the arrest of EU-Iranian dual-nationals upon their entering Iran, stresses that these arrests hinder the possibilities of people to people contacts;

Amendment 233 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Welcomes the increase of Erasmus Mundus students from Iran to European Universities as a way to combat misperceptions and stereotypes; calls on the Commission to increase the envelope for Erasmus Mundus students from Iran;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Calls on Iranian authorities to allow for Iranian diaspora in Europe to safely travel to their country of birth;

Amendment 235 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)

18c. Calls on the Iranian government to appoint a Horizon 2020 national coordinator that provides technical assistance and advice to Iranian Universities to apply for Horizon 2020 projects; welcomes the workshops that recently took place in Teheran University to raise awareness of the potential benefits that Iranian Universities can draw from participating in Horizon 2020;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)

18c. Calls on the judiciary to respect fair trial, due process and to grant suspects access to a lawyer;

Amendment 237 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)

18d. Condemns the systematic torture in Iranian prisons;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5

~~Iran’s role in the region~~Regional security

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Expresses its deep concern about Iran's ballistic missile tests; underlines that the North Atlantic Council of 8 and 9 July 2016 has stated that the development of Iran's ballistic missile tests are inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2231;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

– having regard to data from the Open Doors’ World Watch List showing a decrease in tolerance towards Christian converts, in particular in social interaction;

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region; highlights the significant role taken on by Iran in the fight against the Daesh terrorist movement and hopes that this role will continue, with a view to the common goal of restoring security for our populations;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Takes note~~Underlines the important influence which the various peoples and cultures of Iran have exerted over thousands of years including on Europe, and that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran iscontinues to be a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in co~~mpetition~~nflict with other major players in the region;

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the ~~pursuit of Iranian interests~~Iranian strategic interests are best served by a restored regional stability, and their pursuit does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;

Amendment 243 #

Daniel CASPARY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests ~~does not and should not be i~~should be based on comopetiration and consultation with other major regional players in ~~the reg~~order to avoid counterproductive confrontations;

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major ~~player~~factor for stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major ~~player~~factor of stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;

Amendment 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population and economy, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;

Amendment 248 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a ~~major player~~n important state in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;

Amendment 249 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a ~~major player~~n important country in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other ~~major player~~countries in the region;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

– having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution 70/173 of 17 December 2015 on the Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

Amendment 250 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; ~~stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players~~ takes the view that recognition of this status as a major regional player should lead Iran to play a stabilising role in the region;

Amendment 251 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Points out that EU-Iran relations form part of the review of the European neighbourhood policy (ENP) put forward on 18 November 2015, which includes plans to involve third countries that are neighbours of the EU’s neighbourhood partner countries in the context of extended cooperation frameworks; urges, therefore, that thematic frameworks be set up to offer cooperation between the Union, the Southern neighbourhood partner countries and key regional players such as Iran on regional issues such as security, energy and the management of refugees;

Amendment 253 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Notes with concern that Iran is strongly developing its cyber capabilities, both for monitoring internal dissent and deploying hackers to disrupt or attack foreign targets;

Amendment 254 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Takes note of the June 2016 U.S. State Department annual report on global terrorism listing Iran as the top state sponsor of terrorism;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

– having regard to the Report of the UN HRC Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (HRC/31/69),

Amendment 27 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe is now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU; notes, however, that on the Iranian side the conclusion of the agreement did not represent a turning point from the point of view of the country's external and internal policies, particularly in the context of human rights and the rule of law;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a ~~notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe is~~result of international diplomacy, and that the parties are now responsible for ~~not simply~~ ensuring its strict and full implementation, ~~but~~and also for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU; recalls, at the same time, the Iranian Government's previous treatment of the observers from the IAEA and the international community, and the Iranian regime's attempt to conceal large parts of its nuclear technology programme from the outside world;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe is now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU; welcomes the establishment of the Joint Commission comprised of representatives of Iran and the E3/EU+3 (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with the VP/HR);

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C (new)

C. whereas the human rights situation in Iran is still characterized by continued and pervasive violations of fundamental rights,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe isand Iran are now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU; points out that EU's credibility as a global actor, as demonstrated in the Iran nuclear negotiations, is tied to EU's consistency in promoting universal rights as a basis for its external action;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement ~~for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe~~ and that the international community, led by the P5+1 group, is now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and ~~the EU~~EU Member States; regrets, however, that the deal does not include aspects which address Iran's regional ambitions or longer term solutions to tackle regional instability;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nnuclear Ddeal, was a notable achievement for multilateral diplomacy, and for European diplomacy in particular, and ~~that Europe is now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU~~fully supports the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in her role as Coordinator of the Joint Commission established under the JCPOA, and believes that strict and full implementation of the JCPOA continues to be of utmost importance;

Amendment 33 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, ~~and that Europe is now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and ful~~which should not only make a substantial implrovement~~ation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU~~ in EU-Iran relations possible but also help to promote stability across the whole region;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe is now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but ~~for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU~~also should develop a broader agenda of EU- Iran relations addressing human rights, anti-corruption, energy policy, rules- based trade, environmental concerns and cultural relations;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was ~~a notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, and~~only possible because of the European Union's determined and persistent commitment; underlines that the Europe ~~is now responsible for not simply~~an Union should now contribute to ensuring its strict and full implementation~~, but for~~ and to maintain~~ing~~ the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for ~~European diplomacy~~the Member States, in particular~~, and~~ thate Europe ~~is now~~an nuclear powers, that are responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the countries of the EU;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for E~~uropean~~U diplomacy in particular, and that ~~Europe~~the EU is now responsible ~~for not simply ensur~~not only for conducting regular follow-ups regarding its strict and full implementation, but for ~~maintaining the spirit of~~contributing to negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Is concerned about Iran's repeated ballistic missile tests in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2231(2015) and which are not consistent with the spirit of the nuclear deal; notes with deep concern German intelligence reports that Iran is illicitly attempting to acquire nuclear weapons technology, which would contravene the terms of JCPOA; calls on Iran to refrain from activities that put into question its commitment to the JCPOA and undermine efforts to build confidence;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

– having regard to the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran of 10 March 2016, to his recent statements of 20 May and 8 June 2016 expressing concern on imprisonments of human rights defenders and the recent wave of incitement of hatred of the Baha'i community and to the report of the UN Secretary-General of 3 March 2016 on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Is seriously concerned about Iran's repeated ballistic missile tests in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and its illicit pursuit of nuclear technology in violation of the JCPOA; urges the European Council and Commission to take appropriate action should Tehran continue these illegal activities;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Believes that EU has the opportunity and a strategic interest in Iran's re-integration into the international system, a goal that is most effectively pursued by strengthening the forces of reform, openness and the rule of law in Iran;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Welcomes the visit to Iran, on 16 April 2016, of VP/HR Mogherini together with eight European commissioners as an important milestone towards setting an ambitious agenda for bilateral EU-Iran relations in areas of mutual interest;

Amendment 43 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Stresses the regrettable fact that Iran had and could still be developing nuclear weapons and is in the meantime continuing development of offensive missile technology;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical and people-to-people contacts as well as civil society actors and human rights defenders; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, including and especially in the field of human rights and the rule of law, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’'s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘'a dialogue of the four Cs’': a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice; stresses that this engagement should also be consistent with commitments made in the EU's Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy to 'place human rights at the centre of its relations with all third countries';

Amendment 45 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Javier NART, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. BPoints out nevertheless that the full implementation of the conclusions of the Vienna agreement must be a precondition for developing EU-Iran relations; believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; stresses the importance of a gradual resumption of EU-Iran relations in line with the efforts made by the Iranian authorities; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed based on a clear agenda and with the wellbeing of Iranian people at the heart of any policy, through multi- layered dialogue involving political, technical and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU which will require confidence-building; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, ~~with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples~~and subject to Iran's willingness to tackle critical issues pertaining to democracy and universal values, and respect for human rights obligations enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran ~~and~~, the ~~EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement wi~~International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights and the Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practicenternational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU- Iran relations; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, not least to build a wider basis for growing cooperation between the EU and Iran, and to step up EU's engagement with Iran's civil society;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Believes that EU-Iran relations should be~~Encourages a renewed relationship between the EU and its Member States, and Iran, with both sides working closely on bilateral and multilateral issues to ensure a more stable region and effective implementation of the nuclear deal developed through multi- layered dialogue involving political, technical and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence- building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU~~; support~~, and in order to deepen our understanding of Iran and its people; notes, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice; and further believes EU Member States and Iran have shared interests in a wide range of areas, but also underlines the importance of dialogue in areas where there are differences;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that ~~EU-Iran~~ relations between the EU Member States, in particular the nuclear powers, and Iran should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical and people- to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

– having regard to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 70/173 on the "Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran", A/RES/70/173, adopted on 17 December 2015,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, diplomatic, economic, academic, technical and people- to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests ~~and~~, differences and idiosyncrasies, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 53 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical, civil society, NGO and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;

Amendment 54 #

Daniel CASPARY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, economic, technical and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence- building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that the EU should demonstrate its credibility in terms of delivering on the nuclear agreement; notes that there will have to be more confidence building measures in the future, while at the same time the appropriate effective controls have to be in place and have to be credible; welcomes openness in the relations with Iran, but this should be measured; calls for a step-by-step approach to solve issues; underlines that if the nuclear agreement is not respected by Iran the sanctions can be reintroduced;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU-Iran relations~~; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran,~~, in particular the establishment of an Iran task force to monitor the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and centralise and give coherence to EEAS/EC cooperation with Iran; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, as called for in previous EP resolutions, as it will allow for the EU to work with the Iranian authorities to enable better public education within the country about the EU itself, to counter misunderstandings and to build a stronger basis of popular support for growing cooperation between the EU and Iran; emphasises, in this regard, that trade and investment are EU competences, and that the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran would facilitate EU-Iran cooperation in the fields of trade, education, culture and environmental sustainability, strongly contributing to the fulfilment of the expectations of both sides;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU-Iran relations; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, to enable better public education within the country about the EU itself, to counter misunderstandings and to build a stronger basis of popular support for growing cooperdiplomatic rapprochement by the European Union Member States as part of the new period of relations between ~~the EU~~Europe and Iran;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU-Iran relations; welcomes the establishment of an Iran Task Force in the EEAS with the objective of coordinating the different strands of action of all Iran related issues; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, to enable better public education within the country about the EU itself, to counter misunderstandings and to build a stronger basis of popular support for growing cooperation between the EU and Iran;

Amendment 6 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

– having regard to the IAEA Director-General's report of 2 December 2015 that found that Iran had carried out activities aimed at designing a nuclear weapon,

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the ~~new period of EU-Iran relations~~results of the JCPOA; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, to strengthen the EU presence with the goal of engaging with officials, private sector stakeholders, civil society and citizens alike, based on the EU's broad agenda for its relations with Iran, and to enable better public education within the country about the EU itself, to counter misunderstandings ~~and to build a stronger basis of popular support for growing cooperation between the EU and Iran~~;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Welcom~~Notes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU-Iran relations; ~~welcom~~notes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, to enable better public education within the country about the EU itself, to counter misunderstandings and to build a stronger basis of popular support for growing cooperation between the EU and Iran;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU-Iran relations; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, to enable better public ~~education~~knowledge within the country about the EU itself, to ~~counter misunderstandings and to build a stronger basis of popular support for growing~~help to build confidence among our peoples for stronger relations and cooperation between the EU and Iran;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Condemns Iran's repeated calls for annihilation of Israel and denial of the Holocaust; believes that these elements should be properly factored into the new EU strategy towards Iran;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Insists on the importance of developing the~~Encourages the development of a parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re- establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism~~; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights~~, that should be extended to arms trafficking, as well as wider issues affecting the Middle East; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights but regrets that despite a pledge by President Rouhani to improve the rights and freedoms of Iranian citizens when he was elected in 2013 the situation appears to have worsened, particularly in areas such as discrimination against women and members of religious and ethnic minorities, freedom of the press, media and bloggers, and those using social media sites, and on freedom of expression and opinion; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 65 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards ~~and principles~~, universal principles and the International Human Rights Law; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that while the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so, the parties should not renounce to pursue a more ambitious agenda on touchy subjects, including on human rights; believes, in this regard, that the preparation and formalisation of a common agenda highlighting the key human rights tangible steps expected to be attained through the development of the relation could be an important first step ; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 67 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. IConsi~~sts on the importance of developing~~ders the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorismimportant but challenging, given the lack of free and fair elections; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights which should be based on the universality of human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, butof ties between people from many Member States and people in Iran; reiterates that the EU seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles~~; believes that the full normalisation~~ starting with the universality of human rights; believes that gradual improvement of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations ion ~~areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU~~the basis of a clearly set broad agenda;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter- parliamentary dialogue on counter- terrorism; wWelcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that ~~the full normalisation of~~mutually respectful relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be given to human rights including women's rights and to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; ~~believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;~~

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that, to overcome existing mistrust and suspicion on both sides; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and on the basis of Iran's sustained commitment to improve its human rights situation and a constructive role in regional security, the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of a reciprocal partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

– having regard to the Council conclusions on the agreement on Iran's nuclear programme of 20 July 2015,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles and on the values on which the State structure of the country is based; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU; in order to achieve this goal, political expediency must be excluded together with the influence of non-signatory countries;.

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism as a recognition of the common challenges of radicalisation in Iran, across the Middle East and within the EU itself; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; recognises the complexities of Iran's own internal politics and reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust grets, in this context, the discriminatory nature of the Guardian's Council practices of candidate approval, preventing the Iranian parliamentary elections from meeting international standards of a free and fair vote; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, which must reflect the value-based diplomacy of the European Union, including a strong emphasis on humand r~~espect~~ights; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles, including the international human rights standards; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained value-based dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; ~~believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;~~

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and ~~that~~by approximating the mutual concepts of respect for human rights, notably freedom of opinion and expression and freedom from discrimination; the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter- parliamentary dialogue on counter- terrorism; wWelcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has ~~a strong~~the ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU ~~does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but~~ seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles, human rights and rule of law; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur when the conditions laid down by Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are fully met within the timeframe agreed and by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU; notes the proposal discussed between Parliament and Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter- terrorism;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; condemns Iran's previous and on-going support for international terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; ~~reiterates its support,~~ demands that Iran, being th~~is regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism~~e one of the world's foremost sponsors of terrorism, cease all support for terrorist organisations if any future political dialogue is to be possible; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a ~~strong ambition to have~~future potential for good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes~~, however,~~ that the ~~ultimate~~ aim must be ~~one of partnership~~normal relations between Iran and the EU, based upon full and implemented respect for human rights and democracy;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; ~~recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides,~~ there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes~~, however,~~ that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that ~~while~~ there is ~~suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also~~ a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)

– having regard to the Report of the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran of 10 March 2016, A/HRC/31/69 and his recent statements raising concern for imprisonments of human rights defenders and a sharp rise in hate speech against religious minorities,

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with ~~Europe~~the EU, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Encourages EU Member States and the European External Action Service to initiate an enhanced human rights dialogue with Iran, including by raising individual cases with the Iranian government, in addition to Iran's continued use of the death penalty, execution of juveniles, and the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, and LGBTI people; further insists that such dialogue must include measurable, achievable targets in order to improve the human rights situation for all Iranians in line with international conventions;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls, likewise, for EU-Iran cooperation to help improve the status and rights of Iranian women, with the aim of eliminating any inequality or discrimination against them;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 84 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recognises that differences exist between the EU and~~Condemns Iran onfor the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question; between 2005 and 2015, 73 minors were executed, according to Amnesty International; according to the UN, in 2016 some 160 young people are still on death row, awaiting execution; the UN also states in a report of 2016 that the number of executions increased substantially in 2015; many of the people executed had been convicted of drugs offences and belonged to one or another of the country's ethnic minorities, and in some cases they were convicted after confessions had been extracted from them by means of torture; in total, more than 600 people may have been executed – far more than the official figure of 369; most of the people executed belonged to ethnic minorities, including Kurds and Balochs; notes that, since Hassan Rouhani became President, at least 2 400 death sentences have been carried out by the regime;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises that ~~differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty~~there are considerable differences between the EU and Iran on the use of death penalty; reiterates its long-standing opposition to the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances and emphasises once again that the abolition of the death penalty is a key objective of EU human rights policy; highlights that, according article 3(5) TEU in its relations with the wider world, the Union has a duty to contribute to the protection of human rights, the strict observance of international law and the respect for the principles of the UN Charter; remains fully convinced that death sentences are not a solution and in no way discourage, nor act as a deterrent to drug trafficking or preventing individuals from falling victim to drug abuse; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’'s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;

Amendment 86 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Re~~cognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of~~ iterates the European Union strong and principled position against the death penalty and that its abolition is a key objective for the Union's human rights and foreign policy and recognizes that this item, being Iran the country with the highest rate of executions per capita in the world, has to be on the agenda; believes that sustained attention given to ending the death penalty for drug-related offences and juvenile ~~execution~~offenders, in line with Iran’'s own human rights commitments, could provide a common agenda for ~~addressing this question~~progressively restricting the use of the death penalty and ensuring that it be carried out according to minimum international standards;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Re~~cognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on~~iterates its condemnation of the use of the death penalty; notes with great concern the rise in the number of death sentences in Iran, in particular against juvenile offenders, and calls for a moratorium with a view to the abolition of capital punishment in Iran; invites Iran to sign and ratify the use ~~of the death penalty; nevertheless~~cond optional protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, ~~could~~must provide a common agenda for addressing this question;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question; encourages the EEAS to ensure strict criteria and monitoring are in place so that any European Union funding for anti- narcotics programmes for Iran does not directly or indirectly result in any person convicted of a drugs offence facing the death penalty for their crime;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Re~~cognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use~~mains critical of Iran's frequent use of the death penalty; believes that the political dialogue should have as one of its focus to reduce the application of the death penalty; ~~nevertheless~~ believes cooperation on anti- narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own international commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question; calls on the Members of the Iranian Parliament as a first step to revise article 91 of the 2013 penal code to abolish the death penalty for people under 18 years of age;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)

– having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution of 17 December 2015 on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which expresses serious concern at the alarming high frequency of and increase in the carrying- out of the death penalty, in disregard of internationally recognized safeguards,

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on th~~Deplores Iran's extensive use of ~~the~~ death penalty~~; nevertheless beli~~, and its status as a country with the world's highest levels ~~cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with~~of executions per-capita; is particularly worried by the scale of juvenile executions and death penalty for drug-related crimes, and points out that they contravene Iran’'s own legal commitments~~, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question~~; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly- elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question; this development will help to increase the acceptance of Iran by European public opinion and reduce the reluctance to upgrade trade relations with the EU;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Re~~cognises that differences exist between the EU and Ira~~mains highly critical of Iran's frequent use of the death penalty, especially when related to juvenile offenders; sees the profound reduction onf the ~~use of the death penalty; nevertheless~~number of executions as a necessary condition of any substantial progress on the political dialogue; believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a ~~common agenda~~starting point for addressing this question; sees as a major objective within the political dialogue to reduce the application of death penalty;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the ~~use of the~~ death penalty; nevertheless believes ~~cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and~~that engagement on death penalty concerns such as the use onf the ~~question of juvenile executio~~death penalty for drug-related offences and agains,t in ~~line with~~dividuals under the age of 18, both of which violate Iran’'s ~~own~~voluntarily accepted international commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Rec~~ognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes~~alls the EU's strong and principled position against the death penalty and that the abolition of the capital punishment is a key objective of the Union's human rights policy; hopes that cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a ~~common agenda~~starting point for addressing this question;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes~~Believes that cooperation on anti- narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;

Amendment 99 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; reaffirms its opposition to the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;

source: 587.421

2016/08/22 AFET 221 amendments...

Amendment 255 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

Amendment 256 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself; leads attention to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) interferences in the region, particularly in supporting the Syrian regime; remains concerned about Iran's financial and arms support for Hezbollah;

Amendment 257 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control~~, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself~~; expresses concerns about the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps involvement in military conflicts in the region and Iran's financial and arms support for Hezbollah; calls therefore for the withdrawal of Iran's military from Iraq and Syria, enabling the people of these countries to engage in a genuine peace process;

Amendment 258 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself; recalls Iran's destructive involvement in the majority of the conflicts in the region and its support for terrorist organisations such as Hamas and Hezbollah;

Amendment 259 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself; remains concerned about Iran's financial and military support for Hezbollah;

Amendment 260 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and the continuation of missiles test-launches by Iran ; supports efforts towards greater arms control, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself;

Amendment 261 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control, non-proliferation, countering terrorism, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself;

Amendment 262 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region ~~and supports efforts towards greater arms control,~~ while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself;

Amendment 263 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Notes the outcome of the Parliamentary elections in February 2016 and believes the results offer an opportunity for further engagement with the European Union, its Member States, and other powers, as well as the possibility of internal economic, political and social reforms; Notes with concern, however, that Iran's Guardian Council disqualified the majority of reform candidates based on discriminatory and arbitrary criteria and that dozens of political activists and journalists have been jailed for exercising their rights;

Amendment 264 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Takes note of June 2016 U.S. State Department annual report on global terrorism which describes Iran as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and its terrorist- related activity in 2015, including support for Hezbollah, Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza, and various groups in Iraq and throughout the Middle East;

Amendment 265 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Condemns Iran's repeated threats of destroying the State of Israel and its denial of the Holocaust as evident in Khamenei's statements, the phrase “Death to Israel” on Iranian ballistic missiles during missile tests and the International Holocaust Cartoon Contest held recently in Tehran;

Amendment 266 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Calls on all regional states, in particular Saudi Arabia and Iran, to refrain from hostile rhetoric fuelling conflicts;

Amendment 267 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Takes note of VP/HR's remarks of 14 April 2016 according to which Iran's ballistic missiles tests do not constitute a breach of the JCPOA; voices, nevertheless, it's concern on this worrying step; reiterates that any step that could escalate tensions in the region is not welcome and encourages Iran to abstain from further steps in this direction;

Amendment 268 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Insists on the full implementation by Iran of its commitments under the JCPOA, including the Roadmap agreed with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and believes that fulfilment is essential in building international confidence in the exclusively peaceful development of the Iranian nuclear programme;

Amendment 269 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Believes that the nuclear deal opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran; further expects the Iranian authorities to fulfil their commitments under the JCPOA in full and as a clear indication to the gradual improvement in relations between the European Union, its Member States and Iran;

Amendment 270 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Believes that the nuclear deal opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran; nonetheless, condemns Iran's repeated ballistic missile tests in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and insists that Iran cease all activities that put into question its commitment to the JCPOA;

Amendment 271 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Believes that the nuclear deal opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’'s security crisis, which have been compounded by Iran's support for Shia militias, strategic competition with Saudi Arabia, as well as Iran's involvement in Iraqi political and security affairs; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations ~~with Iran~~between Iran and other key players;

Amendment 272 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Believes that the nuclear deal opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran; is worried that Iran military interference in Iraq and Syria through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may contribute to increase sectarian violence in the region;

Amendment 273 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Believ~~Hopes that the nuclear deal could opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran, should it be committed to its international obligations, human rights and peace and stability in the Middle East;

Amendment 274 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Eduard KUKAN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Believes that the nuclear deal opens the possibility for cooper~~Calls on Iran to cease its support of non-state entities/terrorist organizations in ~~resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a~~ the Middle East, such as Hezbollah and Hamas that contribute to the destabiliszation ~~role in~~of the region; ~~believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran~~calls on Iran to establish friendly relations with all states in the region, including Israel, and to cease threatening states with military actions against them;

Amendment 275 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Believ~~Notes that the nuclear deal could opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran;

Amendment 276 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Believ~~Hopes that the nuclear deal would opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran;

Amendment 277 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Condemns the Iranian pursuit of the destruction of the state of Israel; furthermore condemns all statements by Iranian officials confirming this goal, amongst them recent statements by the Ayatollah Khamenei for Muslim youths to universally engage in a cyberwar against the US and Israel, as well as statements by Revolutionary Guard deputy commander Hossein Salami in early July 2016 calling for the destruction of Israel;

Amendment 278 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Notes that the Iranian military doctrine of asymmetric warfare poses a substantial threat to Middle East stability;

Amendment 279 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Condemns Iran's support of Hezbollah, which is on the EU terror list;

Amendment 280 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Condemns the political as well as military and strategic support by the Revolutionary Guards for the Assad regime which has been indiscriminately killing civilians;

Amendment 281 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)

21c. Underlines the need for Iran to play a meaningful role in ending the war in Syria;

Amendment 282 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)

21d. Condemns the covert recruitment of Afghan boys to fight for the regime of president Assad in Syria;

Amendment 283 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes the EU-Iran political dialogue should call on Iran to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on political rather than religious differences and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

Amendment 284 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should call on Iran to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on political rather than religious differences and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

Amendment 285 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should call on Iran to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; regrets however that Iran's role in the Syrian war has significantly impacted the magnitude and longevity of the conflict; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on political rather than religious differences and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

Amendment 286 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should call on Iran as well as other major players in the region to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on ~~political rather than religious differences and on~~ the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception; considers EU-Iran cooperation in countering terrorism and violent extremism in the region an important part of the political dialogue;

Amendment 287 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

Amendment 288 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

Amendment 289 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should call on Iran to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on ~~political rather than religious differences and on~~ the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

Amendment 290 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should ~~call on~~urge Iran to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on political priorities rather than religious ~~differenc~~identities and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

Amendment 291 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes ~~EU-Iran~~that political dialogue between EU Member States and Iran should call on ~~Iran~~the latter to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for ~~a model of EU diplomacy based on political rather than religious differences and on the principle of ensuring respect,~~coordination between EU Member States' diplomatic services with a view to seeking safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

Amendment 292 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should ~~call o~~result in Iran to playing a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on political rather than religious differences and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

Amendment 293 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should call on Iran to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for ~~a model of EU~~ diplomacy based on political rather than religious differences and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

Amendment 294 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22b. Calls on the Iranian authorities to refrain from making any anti-Semitic statements and providing any support for activities of this kind;

Amendment 295 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Believes that there can be no solution to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region without all players being present at the table; welcomes, in this regard, Iran’s engagement in the Syrian peace talks via its participation in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG); notes, in this context that the Assad regime in Syria has become increasingly dependent on Iran for its own survival and therefore calls on the Iranian authorities to use its leverage to bring the Syrian conflict to a peaceful conclusion; calls for its contribution to further facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to increase protection of the civilian population from attacks and to continuously seek a long- term solution to the conflict;

Amendment 296 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Believes that there can be no solution to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region without all players being present at the table; ~~welcomes~~takes the view, in this regard, that Iran’s engagement in the Syrian peace talks via its participation in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG)~~; calls for its contribution to further~~ is necessary; regrets the fact, however, that Iranian input has to date not led to a marked improvement in the situation, and therefore calls on Iran to contribute more, in particular so as to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to increase protection of the civilian population from attacks and to continuously seek a long- term solution to the conflict;

Amendment 297 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Believes that there can be no solution to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region without all players being present at the table; welcomes, in this regard, Iran’s engagement in the Syrian peace talks via its participation in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG); calls for its contribution to further facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to increase protection of the civilian population from attacks and to continuously seek a long- term solution to the conflictas long as sectarian violence is pursued and supported by intervening actors; condemns, therefore, Iranian support for the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon, various terrorist organizations in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, the Shiite terrorist organization Kata'ib Hezbollah in Iraq, and any others;

Amendment 298 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Believes that there can be no one- size-fits-all solution to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region and especially not without all players being present at the table; welcomes, in this regard, Iran’s engagement in the Syrian peace talks via its participation in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG); calls for its contribution to further facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to increase protection of the civilian population from attacks and to continuously seek a long- term solution to the conflict;

Amendment 299 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

Amendment 300 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Believes that there can be no solution to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region without all players being present at the table; ~~welcomes, in this regard, Iran’s engagement in the Syrian peace talks via its participation in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG)~~notes Iran’s participation in the Syrian peace talks; deplores Iran's continued support for the Assad regime and its warfare against the civilian populations; calls for itIran's contribution to further facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to increase protection of the civilian population from attacks and to ~~continuously~~ seek a long- term solution to the conflict;

Amendment 301 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Believes that there can be no solution to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region as long as there is an on-going military interference by various countries; calls therefore on Iran as a gesture of good will and building confidence to withdraw all its military forces particularly from Syria and Iraq to let the people of those countries to have a chance to find long term solutions;

Amendment 302 #

Andrejs MAMIKINS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Calls for the upcoming EU Defence Action Plan to reflect the new spirit of relationship with Iran, by foreseeing confidence building measures, security dialogue on regional challenges in Middle East, Afghanistan, South Caucasus and Central Asia, and common action against Daesh, Al-Qaeda, al-Nusra and similar UN-designated terrorist organisations;

Amendment 303 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Condemns the Iranian regime's radical, official hatred of Jewry, Zionism and the State of Israel, which is a central element in the leadership's ideological convictions and policies;

Amendment 304 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Calls on Iran to normalise relations with the State of Israel;

Amendment 305 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring~~ Calls for additional and sustained efforts by Iran to help bring all the militias operating in Iraq under the authority of the Iraqi army; points out that Iran's political and funding to the military activities of Hezbollah and Hamas contribute to the deterioration of regional security, and calls on Iran to hallt the ~~militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh~~policy; points out that Iran, the EU and the rest of the international community have a shared responsibility and interest in defeating ISIS/Da'esh, encourages Iran's to step up its contribution, in maximum coordination and cooperation with the global coalition; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’'esh;

Amendment 306 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; is worried by the recent attack against Iranian opposition refugees in Camp Liberty in Iraq and by the recent tensions between Kurdistan Iraq and Iran after clashes erupted between Iranian Kurdish armed groups and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 307 #

Josef WEIDENHOLZER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’'s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’'s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da~~’esh~~'esh, including its early support for the Kurdish Regional Government in Erbil; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da~~’esh~~'esh; calls, in this regard, for the similar arrangements with Iran to be put in place by the intelligence services of the EU and its Member States;

Amendment 308 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agrIs concerned about the Iranian support for the Shi'ite militias in Iraq which is liable to deempen~~t between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh~~ the Sunni-Shi'ite schism in Iraq;

Amendment 309 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq~~, and~~ ; is nevertheless worried by the Shi'ite militias' violence against sunnis, especially by Kataeb Hezbollah after the liberation of Fallujuah from ISIL, as well as by the repeated attacks against Liberty Camp; calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 310 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; is concerned, however, at repeated reports about the release of Al-Qaeda cadres and about the ease with which they move around in Iran; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 311 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh and recognizes its decisive contribution in Iraq, which halted ISIS/Da'esh's advance and recuperated territories subjected to jihadist terrorism; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 312 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; nevertheless, is still very concerned by Iran's support for other terrorist groups in the region, in particular for its proxy, Hezbollah;

Amendment 313 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and ~~calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcome~~applauds Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 314 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Welcom~~Notes Iran~~’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and~~ian involvement in Iraq; calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; ~~welcomes Iran’~~calls con~~tribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between~~ Iran to submit command of Iran ian~~d Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh~~ militia forces operating in Iraq to the Iraqi government;

Amendment 315 #

Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s expressed readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and urges it to play a meaningful role to end sectarian violence, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 316 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army and for its government to be inclusive of all interests; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 317 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Welcom~~Notes Iran’'s ~~readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country~~involvement in Iraq, and calls for all Iranian militias operating in the neighbouring country to be brought under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 318 #

Tunne KELAM, Eduard KUKAN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi ~~army~~government; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 319 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, this should include withdrawing its military forces from Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; ~~welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;~~ notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;

Amendment 320 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s expressed readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and urges it to play a meaningful role to end sectarian violence and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; ~~notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;~~

Amendment 321 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Notes with great concern Iran's continued support for terrorist organizations, in particular its owned proxy Hezbollah; notes Hezbollah's most recent terror attack on Burga in Bulgaria in 2012; calls on the Council to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist entity;

Amendment 322 #

Andrejs MAMIKINS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Calls for strategic counter- terrorism cooperation with Iran in countering groups like Daesh, al-Qaeda, al-Nusra, Taliban and other similar groups inspired by extremist perversion of Islam; such a cooperation should include, inter alia, stepping-up mutual intelligence sharing, military coordination on the ground in Iraq and Syria and promotion of moderate, tolerant interpretations of Islam;

Amendment 323 #

Josef WEIDENHOLZER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Stresses that the EU and Iran face common enemies in the shape of Daesh, Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra and related terrorist organisations inspired by extreme Wahhabi teachings of Islam; calls for closer cooperation between the EU and Iran in countering this common threat by means of political engagement on regional issues, intelligence sharing and inter-faith dialogue;

Amendment 324 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Calls on Iran to use its influence effectively to deter Hezbollah from engaging in any terrorist activities against or attacks on Israel;

Amendment 325 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 326 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; is very concerned with the rise of sectarian violence in the region and emphasises the need for a sustained and comprehensive diplomatic EU engagement to address the underlying dynamics of the conflict through long- term support for ethno-sectarian reconciliation; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 327 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that ~~takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and~~ provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 328 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures aimed at the resumption of Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations, as a first step, in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 329 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns ~~and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council~~; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence- building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 330 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that historic regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de- escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to also work with ~~the~~ US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure ~~that~~better takesing into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 331 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EUinternational diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 332 #

Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with ~~the US and Russia~~key actors such as the US to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 333 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US ~~and Russia~~ to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence-building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

Amendment 334 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Notes that constructive participation of Iran and Saudi Arabia is needed to find solutions to end armed conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and the resulting migration flows;

Amendment 335 #

Andrejs MAMIKINS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Notes that Iran´s ballistic missiles program does not violate the provisions of the JCPOA and is of defensive nature; reminds that Iran is still subject to UN- imposed arms embargo, despite the fact that concerns regarding its nuclear program have been addressed by the JCPOA; recalls that, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Iran´s military spending is far below the GCC countries in both quantitative and qualitative terms, which ensures the GCC advantage over Iran in access to modern arms and creates a dangerous imbalance in the region; in particular, notes that Saudi Arabia outspends Iran in military terms by a ratio of 5:1;

Amendment 336 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Notes with concern the worsening struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia for political and religious influence, and warns of its implications for conflict resolution and security in the Middle East and beyond; further believes that a policy of rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia is essential in defusing regional tensions, as a path towards conflict resolution in Yemen and elsewhere, and in order to address the root causes of terrorism and extremism which are a threat to the region as well as to the European Union and beyond;

Amendment 337 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Stresses the common interests of the EU and Iran in safeguarding stability and security and countering radicalisation in South Caucasus and Central Asia; calls, in this regard, to associate Iran in international efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including by considering inviting Iran to join the Minsk Group;

Amendment 338 #

Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Rejects calls for regime change in Iran made by a number of American, European and GCC politicians on July 9, 2016; stresses that MKO, which was on the EU terrorist list till 2009 and stands accused of grave human rights violations, is not considered by the EU as a legitimate and democratic political opposition to the Iranian government;

Amendment 339 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Calls on Iran to take steps to normalise relations with Israel;

Amendment 340 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)

25b. Condemns Iran's continuing support for Hezbollah and reminds the Iranian authorities that the organisation's armed wing is on the European Union's terrorism blacklist; notes that this decision was reached, in part, because of the group's involvement in a bus bombing in Bulgaria in 2013; believes that Iran's continued support for Hezbollah undermines the prospect for peace in the Middle East, acts as a destabilising regional influence, as well as increasing security concerns within EU Member States;

Amendment 341 #

Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)

25b. Is shocked by the public support given by Turki al-Faisal, a notable member of the House of Saud, to the regime change in Iran at a rally organised by MKO in Paris on July 9; condemns such calls as highly irresponsible actions leading to further escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and particularly, between Saudi Arabia and Iran; reaffirms its conviction that it is only up to Iranian people to decide on the shape and form of the nation´s government;

Amendment 342 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)

25b. Believes that regional dialogue and cooperation on environmental issues between Iran and its neighbours is indispensable to tackling such challenges as air pollution, water scarcity and desertification; stresses that the EU should facilitate such regional cooperation as an important confidence- building measure and build on the willingness of regional actors to benefit from European expertise in this field;

Amendment 343 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)

25c. Calls on the Commission to support programmes bringing together researchers, students and professors from Iran, GCC countries and Europe with a focus on history of European integration, lessons learned and long-term prospects for regional integration among the Persian Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 344 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6

Socio-economic issues, rule of law, democracy and the lack of respect for human rights

Amendment 345 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’'s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic ~~State~~Republic must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights; considers, in this regard, that the Islamic Republic provides certain space for political pluralism, as demonstrated by regular, relatively competitive electoral processes, and encourages its further expansion to accommodate the diversity of views in the Iranian society; welcomes the fact that in the last elections to the parliament and Assembly of Experts the Iranian people have shown their will to pursue the course of moderation and re-engagement with the international community;

Amendment 346 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State ~~must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human right~~should serve as a basis for matters related to democracy or human rights; calls on Iran to make significant progress in fulfilling its national and international human rights obligations; welcomes measures undertaken in 2015 that address some of concerns in this field; expresses however its deep regret about ongoing arrests of human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and religious and ethnic minorities;

Amendment 347 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights; stresses however that important progress must be made to guarantee free and fair elections and respect for fundamental rights in Iran, in particular with respect to the situation of women's rights and gender equality;

Amendment 348 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights; calls Iran, in this context, to change the practice of the candidate's review, pursued by the Guardian's Council, in order to ensure that the Majlis elections meet all international standards for a free and fair vote;

Amendment 349 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State m~~ust not~~ay be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights; For this reason, Iran's cooperation with the EU on the issues in question will increase its prestige of the international community and dispel any reservations;

Amendment 350 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’'s revolutionary legacy ~~and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights~~is and must not be an impediment for greater internal and external openness, and progress toward democracy, rule of law and adherence to human rights; declares the EU's maximum readiness to support Iran on this path through mutual dialogue and expansion of cooperation;

Amendment 351 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights; notes that Human Rights Dialogues have already been established by Iran with Switzerland, Japan and Brazil;

Amendment 352 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. ~~Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground~~Calls on Iran to cooperate with the EU on matters related to democracy orand human rights;

Amendment 353 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy, different political landscape and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights;

Amendment 354 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. ~~Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground~~Seeks to ensure that the major differences between Iran and the EU as regards politico-institutional systems do not constrain the scope for openness and a frank and direct dialogue on matters related to democracy tisation and respect for human rights;

Amendment 355 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy, the rule of law or human rights;

Amendment 356 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic ~~State~~Republic must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights;

Amendment 357 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary ~~legacy~~system and its constitution as an Islamic State ~~must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human right~~are incompatible with respect for universal human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic values;

Amendment 358 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State ~~must not~~has hitherto been an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rights;

Amendment 359 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Condemns the regime's treatment of religious minorities; notes that, according to the 2016 annual report of the US Commission on Religious Freedom, the preconditions for freedom of religion have continued to deteriorate in the past year; religious minorities such asBaha’is, Christians (including converts to Christianity), Sunni Muslims and Sufi Muslims are subject to systematic harassment, arrest and detention; the report also notes that, since Hassan Rouhani was elected President in 2013, the number of people from religious minorities who have been imprisoned on account of their faith has increased; the Pew Research Center identifies Iran as one of only 16 countries with very stringent public restrictions on religious worship;

Amendment 360 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Calls on the EU to mainstream human rights in all aspects of its relations with Iran; takes the view that the future policy framework for EU-Iran relations must include an effective human rights dialogue with Iran, based on clear benchmarks against which progress can be measured; points out the necessity of including in this dialogue independent civil society organisations; stresses the importance of taking into account the recommendations of international human rights monitoring mechanisms; underlines that benchmarks and targets on human rights must be constructed openly in order to enhance transparency and accountability;

Amendment 361 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Notes that Iran has two parallel political systems, one is religious and has not particularly changed and the other is the official state system that after the election of President Rohani has opened up; underlines that the Majlis is pro- reform and pro Europe, which reflects the will of the Iranian people and which should lead to constructive relations; states that the religious side has the supremacy; stresses that the situation in Iran has to be closely monitored;

Amendment 362 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Asks the Commission to present to the European Parliament a progress report after two years of the lifting of sanctions, notably concerning the situation of fundamental human rights, economic cooperation and remaining obstacles for EU citizens and companies operating in Iran;

Amendment 363 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Notes that the February 2016 parliamentary elections in Iran did not meet the standards free and fair elections, as the opposition was banned and thousands of candidates were filtered by the 'Guardian Council' under orders of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei;

Amendment 364 #

Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Notes that all discussions about political reform centre on the question whether or not the theocratic supremacy of the clergy may be democratically challenged;

Amendment 365 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Calls on Iranian authorities to fully respect the universal human rights of all people, in particular the right to free expression online and offline;

Amendment 366 #

Javier NART, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Believes that the EU should use its improving relations with Iran to secure access to the country by the UN special rapporteur on Human Rights;

Amendment 367 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Calls on the Iranian authorities for the release of all prisoners of conscience;

Amendment 368 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Condemns the continued discrimination of religious minorities in Iran, amongst them Sufi, Baha'is, Christians and Jews;

Amendment 369 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26b. Notes that the situation of women has been deteriorating in recent years with new laws that further restrict their rights; is alarmed about reports of recent deployment of 7000 plain-clothes 'morality police' in the capital Tehran to repress women for 'improper veiling';

Amendment 370 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26b. Notes that Iran has opened up, because it needs help in order to satisfy the needs of its citizens and to keep the young and well educated people in the country which is important for its stability;

Amendment 371 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26b. Calls on Iranian authorities to respect the rights of women and to eliminate any discriminatory measures in family-, criminal-, labour and other laws;

Amendment 372 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)

26c. Calls for the release of all political prisoners;

Amendment 373 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)

26d. Calls for the immediate release of EU citizens detained in Iran including Nazak Afshar, Kamal Foroughi, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and all other dual- nationals unjustly detained;

Amendment 374 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 e (new)

26e. Calls for the immediate release of Canadian-Iranian Homa Hoodfar, American-Iranians Amir Hekmati, Siamak Namazi and his father Baquer Namazi, and all other dual-nationals unjustly detained;

Amendment 375 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 f (new)

26f. Calls on Iranian authorities to respect LGBTI rights;

Amendment 376 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 g (new)

26g. Calls on Iranian authorities to allow for free and fair elections, and international monitors;

Amendment 377 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; ~~stresses that eliminating the death penalty for~~reiterates with concern most of the executions are carried out for crimes that do not qualify as the "most serious", such as drug- related offences; calls upon the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to abolish, in law and in practice, executions, which are contrary to the 2008 prohibition of this practice by the former head of the judiciary, and executions carried out in violation of its international obligations or in the absence of respect for internationally recognized safeguards, including executions undertaken without notification to the prisoner's family members or legal counsel; calls on the on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to explore the possibility of working in partnership with international organisations, especially UN mechanisms, and Iran with a view to enhance the dialogue on human rights; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for crimes not considered the "most serious", such as drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 378 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; takes note that most of the executions are for drug- related offences; understands the challenge faced by Iran as one of the main drug transit routes in the world, with 86% of world's seizures of opium taking place in its territory; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty; encourages EU cooperation with Iran in counter- narcotics which can help address this question, as well as upholding the principle of co-responsibility in the fight against drugs worldwide;

Amendment 379 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

Amendment 380 #

Javier NART, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty; notes at the same time that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is extensively involved in drug smuggling and that the US Department of Finance has placed the Revolutionary Guard's commanding officer, Esmail Baghbani, on its sanctions list for his role in drug smuggling;

Amendment 381 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

Amendment 382 #

Tunne KELAM, Eduard KUKAN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty; believes that the expansion of economic relations between the EU and Iran should be directly linked to improvements with respect to the application of the death penalty and human rights, women's rights, and freedom of expression;

Amendment 383 #

Raffaele FITTO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; points out that freedom of expression, association and assembly continues to be subject to illegal and arbitrary restrictions; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences and extra-marital relations would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly- elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 384 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; is alarmed by reports that the number of executions have continued to rise since the beginning of the nuclear negotiations with almost 1000 people hanged during 2015; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences wcould ~~dramatically~~help to decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly- elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 385 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; is alarmed by reports that the number of executions have continued to rise since the beginning of the nuclear negotiations; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 386 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world and that the number of executions have continued to rise since the beginning of the nuclear negotiations; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 387 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. ~~Notes with~~Expresses serious concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; str~~esses that eliminating~~ongly urges Iran to abolish the death penalty for drug- related offences ~~would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude~~; notes, in this regard, the introduction of a draft bill that excludes, in a welcome move, some drug- related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty but remains concerns that the bill proposes to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment for drug-related offences that do not involve armed activities;

Amendment 388 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with deep concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world and deplores that 2015 saw the highest execution rate in 27 years; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences wcould ~~dramatically~~ decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 389 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. ~~Notes with concern that~~Strongly condemns Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; ~~welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that~~encourages the newly-elected Majlis ~~is considering~~to adopt legislation to exclude some drug- related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 390 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; stresses that ~~eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that~~the majority of these executions are for drug- related offences which is in contravention of international law; calls, in this regard, on the newly-elected Majlis ~~is considering~~to bring forward new legislation to e~~xclude som~~liminate drug- related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

Amendment 391 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Expresses concern that according to the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran between 966 and 1,025 people were executed in Iran in 2015, a substantial increase on 2014 and the highest number in over a decade; further deplores the fact that Iran routinely uses the death penalty for crimes not internationally recognised as "most serious", such as drugs-related offences, and against juveniles; notes, however, the presentation of a Bill to the Iranian parliament that, if approved, would reduce the punishment for non-violent drug-related crimes from death to life imprisonment; notes that approximately two-thirds of executions in Iran in 2015 were for drug-related offences and, if approved, the Bill could significantly reduce the number of executions in Iran;

Amendment 392 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Is concerned that the number of individuals imprisoned from religious minority communities, including Christians, has increased since President Rouhani took office in 2013 and many of them have been sentenced to death for "enmity against God"; condemns the fact that in 2015 Iran continued to execute persons convicted of offences that are not recognizable crimes under the international law, such as apostasy or blasphemy and calls for an immediate end to these practises;

Amendment 393 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Is deeply concerned about death sentences for crimes that are vaguely phrased -such as "enmity against God" or "spreading corruption on earth"-, blasphemy, homosexuality and adultery; urges, in this regard, the Government of Iran to sign and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1996, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty;

Amendment 394 #

Ignazio CORRAO, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)

27 b. Deplores the use of torture, flogging, blinding, amputation, public execution, and stoning in Iran, demands an end to such practices, and calls for the exercise of justice in line with existing international practice and rule of law; further voices concern that defendants are often denied fair and independent legal representation;

Amendment 395 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of~~Expresses serious concern at the 2013 Islamic Penal Code which retains death penalty for juveniles in qesas (retribution in kind) or hudud crimes, like homicide, adultery or sodomy; expresses serious concern that scores of juvenile offenders still languish on death row; calls on Iran to fully meet their obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and prohibit~~s child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant~~ the use of the death penalty for juvenile offenders, and that all juvenile offenders currently on death row have their sentences commuted; pending the full abolition of the death penalty against juvenile offenders, calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the execution of juvenile offenders and to restrict the number of offen~~der~~ces car~~e made aware of this right; calls on Iran~~rying the death sentence, with a view to declareing a moratorium on ~~the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders~~all executions and the eventual full abolition of the death penalty;

Amendment 396 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes ~~the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and~~ Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders; calls on Iran to declare an immediate moratorium on the death penalty;

Amendment 397 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’'s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child ~~prohibits~~enables judges to exercise discretion in sentencing for under 18 offenders deemed immature and avoid child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; ~~calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right~~regrets the continued practice of child executions and calls on Iran to ensure this mitigation mechanism are routinely used by judges, welcomes the 2013 Penal Code and that convicted child offenders are automatically given a retrial and are provided pro bono legal counsel to appeal their sentences; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders;

Amendment 398 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child ~~prohibits child executions~~indicate the government's intention to make progress towards ending juvenile executions; expresses however its dismay that some executions continues to happen despite the fact that the new penal code gives judges the discretion to replace the death penalty with an alternative punishment and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on ~~Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and~~the Iranian authorities to ensure that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders;

Amendment 399 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty~~, at least~~ for juvenile offenders and then, after having made the necessary legislative arrangements, to abolish the death penalty for minors;

Amendment 400 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’'s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolutions 62/149 and 63/138, to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders, pending the abolition of the capital punishment;

Amendment 401 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; notes with concern that, despite the aforementioned, Iran still remains a leading executioner of juvenile offenders; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders;

Amendment 402 #

Tunne KELAM, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Eduard KUKAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; regrets however the lack of full abolition and the continued practice of child executions; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, ~~at least for~~starting with juvenile offenders;

Amendment 403 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; notes with concern that Iran still remains a leading executioner of juvenile offenders; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders;

Amendment 404 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Welcomes the fact t~~Notes that Iran hats the ~~adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and~~highest number of executions per capita in the world; condemns Iran’'s ~~ratification of the UN Convention on the Right~~continued use of the death penalty as a method of punishment; calls ofn the ~~Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offender~~Iranian judiciary to amend the sentences for juveniles sentenced to death prior to the 2013 ~~to seek retrial~~revision of the Islamic Penal Code; calls on Iran to ensure thisat the prohibition of child executions is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty~~, at least for juvenile offenders~~;

Amendment 405 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 406 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 407 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 408 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 409 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Welcome~~Recalls the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders;

Amendment 410 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 411 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Welcom~~Notes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders;

Amendment 412 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Recognises the existence of a large variety of faiths and beliefs in the Islamic State of Iran; is however concerned that the number of individuals imprisoned form religious minority communities due to their beliefs, notably Sufi Muslim dissenters, Baha'ìs, Christian converts and atheists has increased since President Hassan Rouhani's inauguration; calls on Iran to respect its international obligations and guarantee equality before the law and to guarantee the basic rights to hold religious gatherings, organise private educational programmes and the possibility to buy or rent property in order to establish houses of worship to all religious minorities;

Amendment 413 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Is deeply concerned about the rising number of individuals imprisoned from religious minority communities due to their beliefs, including Sunnis, Sufi Muslim dissenters, Baha'is, Christian converts and Jews, since President Hassan Rouhani took office in 2013; deplores that religious minority activists have been sentenced to death for "enmity against God";

Amendment 414 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Is deeply concerned about the numerous sentences against journalists, bloggers, social media activists and human rights defenders, and arbitrary detention of members of ethnic, religious and secular minorities; calls on the Government of Iran to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and media, association and peaceful assembly;

Amendment 415 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Calls on Iran to fully cooperate with all UN human rights mechanisms and work towards application of recommendations set forth in that context, including the Universal Periodic Review;

Amendment 416 #

Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Eduard KUKAN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)

28b. Stresses that women's rights should remain high on the agenda of the dialogue between the EU and Iran ; remains concerned by the unacceptable discriminations that women face in Iran, particularly in legal matters, regarding family law and their participation in the economic and political life ; calls for the newly elected Majlis to adopt legislation criminalizing violence against women;

Amendment 417 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)

28b. Believes that EU should use its improving relations with Iran to urge the country to grant access to the UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran to visit Iran;

Amendment 418 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)

28b. Calls on Iran to fully cooperate with the UN human rights body and its special procedures;

Amendment 419 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)

28c. Expresses its concern regarding the continued arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and lawyers and the serious allegations of abuse of detainees during pre-charge and pre-trial detention; calls on the Commission to support civil society efforts to promote due process of law;

Amendment 420 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 d (new)

28d. Calls on the EEAS and the Commission to support the creation of an environment allowing for proper and independent functioning of civil society organizations; stresses the importance of upholding the EU human rights guidelines, including on human rights defenders, in the context of EU Iran relations;

Amendment 421 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Calls on Iran to live up fully to its commitments under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by ensuring the enjoyment by its citizens of individual rights without discrimination as to sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, or other status, as provided for in these instruments; points out that this includes a basic right to equality before the law, as well as the right of equal access to education, health care and professional opportunities; notes that increased pressure is being brought to bear on the people with regard to religious prescriptions and rules concerning people's private lives; notes that, in the spring of 2016, a ceremony was held under the supervision of Ayatollah Khamenei in which 7 000 new officers for the so-called morality police were examined, whose task it is to arrest, detain and beat people who are not considered to be complying with the strict dictates of Islamic law;

Amendment 422 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Calls on Iran to ~~live up fully to~~end widespread and serious restrictions on the right to freedom of expression (both online and offline), opinion, association and peaceful assembly, of thought, conscience, religion or belief and to comply with its commitments under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by ensuring the enjoyment by its citizens of individual rights without discrimination as to sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, or other status, as provided for in these instruments; points out that this includes a basic right to equality before the law, as well as the right of equal access to education, health care and professional opportunities;

Amendment 423 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Calls on Iran to live up fully to its commitments under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by ensuring the enjoyment by its citizens of individual rights as provided for in these instruments, without discrimination as to ~~sex,~~ language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, ~~or other status, as provided for in these instrument~~gender, sexual orientation or other status, inter alia against Baha'i community, Christians, Muslim minorities, non- believers and converts, Kurds, Arabs, Azerbaijani Turks, Baluchis; points out that this includes a basic right to equality before the law, as well as the right of equal access to education, health care and professional opportunities;

Amendment 424 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 425 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Calls on Iran to live up fully to its commitments under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by ensuring the enjoyment by its citizens of individual rights without discrimination as to sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, or other status, as provided for in these instruments; points out that this includes a basic right to equality before the law, as well as the right of equal access to education, health care and professional opportunities;

Amendment 426 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 427 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 428 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 429 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 430 #

Javier NART, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 431 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 432 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

Amendment 433 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to eliminate, in law and in practice, the ongoing severe limitations and restrictions on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, expression, opinion, religion or belief, peaceful assembly and association, and the restrictions on the establishment of places of worship, as well as attacks against places of worship and burial, as well as other human rights violations, including but not limited to harassment, intimidation, persecution, and incitement to hatred that lead to violence against persons belonging to recognized and unrecognized religious minorities, including Christians, Jews, Sufi Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Zoroastrians as well as members of the Baha'i faith and their defenders, and calls on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of discrimination, including the closure of businesses, and other human rights violations against persons belonging to recognized and unrecognized religious minorities;

Amendment 434 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Calls for the EU to support fully the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, calls on Iran to grant the Rapporteur immediate and unconditional entry visa, calls on Iran to fully cooperate with all UN human rights mechanisms and work towards application of recommendation out forth by these mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR);

Amendment 435 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Deplores the continuing and systematic discrimination and harassment against ethnic and religious minorities, including the Baha'i, Ahwazi Arabs, Baloch, Christians, Jews, Sunni Muslims, Sufi Muslims, Kurds and Zoroastrian; calls on the Iranian authorities to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of discrimination and human rights violations against persons belonging to minorities;

Amendment 436 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Calls on Iran to free imprisoned EU citizens detained or convicted under a judicial process that did not meet international standards, including: 58 year old Nazak Afshar held since March 2016, 76 year old Kamal Foroughi held since May 2011, 65 year old Homa Hoodfar held since June 2016, and 37 year old Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe held since April 2016;

Amendment 437 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Condemns the criminalisation of gay men and women in Iran and the fact homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment, corporal punishment or execution; urges the EU and its Member States to continue to raise concerns over the situation of the LGBTI community in Iran, including the practice of pressurising gay men and women into having gender reassignment surgery against their wishes;

Amendment 438 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Calls on Iran to free imprisoned EU citizens detained or convicted under a judicial process that did not meet international standards, including: 58 year old Nazak Afshar held since March 2016, 76 year old Kamal Foroughi, held since May 2011, 65 year old Homa Hoodfar, held since June 2016, and 37 year old Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, held since April 2016;

Amendment 439 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Deplores the restrictions of political organizational rights in Iranian society; believes that such rights must be put in place, safeguarded and encouraged in order for Iranian society to develop in a direction of prosperity, democracy and tolerance; stresses the necessity of such rights for any further cooperation between the EU and Iran;

Amendment 440 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Calls for all citizens who were arrested during the election protests of 2009-2010 (also known as the Green Revolution) to be released unconditionally and for those within the regime and the security forces who have been responsible for violence, murder and mass arrests to be brought to trial;

Amendment 441 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Expresses concern about the reported imprisonment and sentencing of Sunnis, Sufi Muslim dissenters, Baha'is, Christian converts and Jews under the excuse of 'enmity against God';

Amendment 442 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Calls on Iran to uphold the religious freedoms of Christians, including the right of Christian converts to practise and profess their religion;

Amendment 443 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Calls for special attention to be focused on the protection of women’s rights;

Amendment 444 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to address national and international concerns related to the administration of justice and the need for additional legal reform, by taking measures to ensure procedural guarantees and fair trial standards of law, including timely access to legal representation of one's choice, the right to public hearing before an independent judiciary, which presumes the innocence of the accused and protection for juvenile offenders, the right not to be subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention, the right not to be subjected to torture, cruel and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, starting with the ratification and implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol, and consideration of bail and other reasonable terms for release from custody pending trial;

Amendment 445 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Calls on the EEAS and Member States to regularly raise the issue of combating violence against women and girls and the types of discrimination from which such violence originates in its relations with Iran, and calls upon Iran to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of discrimination against women and girls; to adopt comprehensive legislation to ensure protection for women and girls against gender-based violence, including domestic violence; to address the alarming incidence of child, early and forced marriages; to promote women's participation in decision-making processes and, while recognizing the high enrolment of women in all levels of education in the Islamic Republic of Iran, to lift restrictions on women's equal access to all aspects of education and women's equal participation in the labour market and in all aspects of economic, cultural, social and political life;

Amendment 446 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Expresses concern that women do not enjoy the same rights and privileges as men in Iran and that recent legislative attempts in the Iranian Parliament could have significantly undermined their basic rights and freedoms; encourages the EU and its Member States to continue to raise issues relating to gender equality in all bilateral engagement with the Iranian authorities; notes that Iran is ranked 141st out of 145 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2015 and that opportunities for Iranian women in the economy, education, health and politics have deteriorated since 2006;

Amendment 447 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Takes the view that women's rights should remain an area of special focus in any dialogue between the EU and Iran; considers that, despite the progress already made, the situation of women in Iran remains marred by unacceptable discrimination, in particular on legal matters, as well as with regard to family law and women's participation in economic and political life; welcomes attempts to draft a bill "on Protection of Women against Violence", so that the newly-elected Majlis will consider legislations that fully criminalize violence against women;

Amendment 448 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Welcomes attempts to draft a bill "on the Protection of Women against Violence" and hopes that the newly elected Parliament will consider legislation that fully criminalises violence against women; also expresses its hope to see improvements on freedom of information, association, expression, assembly, movement, freedom of education and academia;

Amendment 449 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Notes that the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran guarantees basic religious freedoms for recognised religious minorities and calls for the expansion of religious freedom, by taking steps to end the discrimination of Baha’is;

Amendment 450 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)

29c. Notes with concern that while some religious minorities are formally protected in the Iranian constitution many groups, including Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians, Baha'is, Christian converts, and Sunni Muslims, Sufi Muslims and dissenting Shi'a Muslims, face discrimination, persecution, harassment and detention; further regrets that since President Hassan Rouhani assumed office in August 2013, the number of individuals from religious minorities who are in prison because of their beliefs has increased; insists that the Iranian authorities ensure the rights of religious and ethnic minorities are fully respected and protected in law;

Amendment 451 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)

29c. Calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to ensure protection for women and girls against violence, to address the alarming incidence of child, early and forced marriage, to recognize the high enrolment of women in all levels of education, to lift restrictions on women's equal access to all aspects of education and women's equal participation in the labour market and in all aspects of economic, cultural, social and political life;

Amendment 452 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)

29c. Expresses concern with widespread allegations of torture, unfair trials – including of lawyers and human rights defenders – and impunity for human rights violations; condemns the restrictions on freedom of information, freedom of association, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, academic freedom, freedom of education and freedom of movement;

Amendment 453 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)

29c. Notes the advances made by Iranian women in the fields of education, science and research, exemplified by the fact that the majority of students in Iranian universities are female; calls for full gender equality by taking steps to eliminate the existing legal and practical discrimination of women;

Amendment 454 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 d (new)

29d. Reiterates the importance of media freedom and independence as one of the core EU values; regrets, in this context, that in the index compiled by Reporters Without Borders the country was ranked 169th out of 180 in 2016;

Amendment 455 #

Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Rina Ronja KARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 e (new)

29e. Urges the government of Iran to fully cooperate with the international Human Rights bodies on the basis of the recommendations of the UN and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by enabling international human rights organisations to carry out their missions; highlights the Iranian government increased engagement with UN special procedures through dialogue; calls upon the Iranian government to also facilitate the UN-appointed Special Rapporteur work by granting him an unconditional entry visa;

Amendment 456 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’'s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens~~’ right~~' rights and statements to promote the rights of ethnic minorities; believes it should comply fully with Iran's international human rights obligations; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities and independent civil society in areas such as judicial reform, ~~reform of the prison system~~judicial independence, access of the accused to legal counsel of their choosing, transparency of legal proceedings, reform of the prison system, redress mechanism for victims of torture, medical attention to prisoners, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’' rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’'s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens. ;

Amendment 457 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; is concerned about cases of judiciary procedures, where fundamental principles such as the timely access to a lawyer of one's own choice, habeas corpus, publication of the verdict and access of lawyers to all relevant trial documents have not been followed; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;

Amendment 458 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; calls on the Iranian authorities to release all political prisoners and unjustly imprisoned EU citizens; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;

Amendment 459 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place, but first and foremost in the interests of Iranian citizens themselves; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, including prison conditions, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;

Amendment 460 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Ignazio CORRAO, Laura FERRARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place, whilst respecting international human rights standards and norms; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;

Amendment 461 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights but notes the lack of progress in this regard; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;

Amendment 462 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. ~~Welcome~~Recalls President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the need to ensure the independence of the judiciary in general, as well as in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ ~~rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to~~universal human rights and fundamental fore~~ign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.~~edoms and the fight against corruption;

Amendment 463 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; ~~underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place~~believes the proposed charter should build upon and be in full compliance with Iran's international human rights obligations; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary ; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;

Amendment 464 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, freedom of speech, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;

Amendment 465 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. ~~Welcomes~~Takes note of President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;

Amendment 466 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness ~~to foreign investors~~ while also benefiting Iranian citizens.

Amendment 467 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; ~~underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls~~regrets the fact that judicial proceedings in Iran where individuals facing charges are often subjected to torture and other ill- treatment to obtain confessions and are not allowed to access an independent lawyer of their choice during the investigative stage, don't fulfil the international fair trial standards; calls, in this regard, on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; ~~believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.~~

Amendment 468 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Welcomes the reforms made under the new Code of Criminal Procedure but expresses serious concerns that the Code does not fully guarantee international due process safeguards; calls on Iran to undertake a review of the 2014 Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure the inclusion of fail trial guarantees; calls on Iran to review and amend the law to ensure statements elicited as a result of torture, ill-treatment or other forms of coercion are excluded as evidence in criminal proceedings, and that all allegations of torture and other ill- treatment brought to the authorities' attention are automatically investigated;

Amendment 469 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Notes with concern the continued arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and lawyers and the serious allegations of abuse of detainees during pre-charge and pre-trial detention and calls on the EU to support civil society in its effort to promote due process of law and a culture of defence counsel in the judicial system and among all relevant stakeholders;

Amendment 470 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Calls on the Government of Iran to address the substantive concerns highlighted in the reports of the UN Special Rapporteur and the UN Secretary- General on the situation of human rights in Iran, as well as the specific calls to action found in resolutions of the UN General Assembly;

Amendment 471 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the government and parliament of Iran, the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the EEAS;

Amendment 472 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)

30b. Takes note that the 2002- 2004 EU-Iran dialogue on human rights was suspended without notable progress towards benchmarks and calls on the EU to take into account recommendations of the international mechanisms at every step of the planning process of any future dialogue and construct benchmarks and targets openly to ensure that the dialogue is focused but also to enhance transparency and accountability and include independent civil society organisations;

Amendment 473 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)

30b. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran;

Amendment 474 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)

30c. Emphasises the importance of creating an environment conducive to the proper and independent functioning of civil society organisations; calls for the EU to uphold the EU human rights guidelines, including the EU Guidelines on human rights defenders;

Amendment 475 #