The renewed execution of a demonstrator in Iran has caused horror and outrage in Europe. The foreign ministers of the EU countries unanimously condemned the execution of Majid-Reza R., who was accused of “waging war against God”, and called for the immediate annulment of all death sentences that had not yet been carried out.
In addition, further sanctions were imposed – on the one hand because of the serious human rights violations in connection with the protests in Iran, which have been going on for almost three months, on the other hand because of Iranian support for the Russian war against Ukraine.
According to the foreign ministers’ decision, the sanctions for human rights violations will affect 20 people and the state broadcasting company IRIB. The latter is accused by the EU of being actively involved in organizing and broadcasting “confessions” coerced through intimidation and severe violence from dissidents. These “confessions” are thus often broadcast after public protests or before an execution, to minimize public outcry.
According to the EU Official Journal, the people affected include commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. “With the sanctions package, we have focused in particular on those who are responsible for these executions, for this violence against innocent people,” said Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Brussels. She described the executions as incredible crimes and as a blatant attempt to intimidate people who speak out on the streets. They took place without a fair trial.
Second protester executed
Shortly before the start of the foreign ministers’ meeting, it became known that the Iranian authorities had executed a second demonstrator in the course of the system-critical protests. According to the judiciary in the city of Mashad in the north-east of the country, Majid-Reza R. was publicly hanged. The man is said to have killed two members of the notorious paramilitary Basij militia with a knife during the November protests.
The rap musician Mohsen S. had already been executed last Thursday. His execution was the first known in connection with the system-critical protests since mid-September. Mohsen S. is said to have attacked a Basij member with a gun, spreading terror and blocking a road.
The news of the execution sparked outrage and anger in Iran. “Whoever sows the wind will reap the storm” or “We will avenge the blood of the innocent” were reactions from system opponents on social media. The pro-government daily Resalat, on the other hand, wrote: “A pardon is good, but justice is more important in Islam.”
More than 475 protesters killed in protests
The trigger for the current protests in the country was the death of the Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini. She died in police custody on September 16 after being arrested by the Morality Police for breaking the Islamic dress code. Since her death, tens of thousands have been demonstrating across the country against the government’s repressive course and the Islamic system of rule.
According to human rights activists, at least 18,000 participants in demonstrations have been arrested so far, and more than 475 demonstrators are said to have been killed in the protests. According to Amnesty International (AI), minors have also been killed. So far at least 44 children and young people – some participants in the protests, some not involved – have died as a result of “unlawful violence” by the security forces, according to a published statement by the human rights organization. The majority of the minors were killed by shots in the head, heart or other vital organs.
At least four children were also killed by metal projectiles fired from close range by security forces, and five others died as a result of beatings. A girl died after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister. The underage victims documented by Amnesty include 39 boys aged between two and 17 and five girls, three aged 16, one aged 17 and one aged six.
Demonstrators are repeatedly referred to by the state leadership as terrorists or riot mongers. The organization Amnesty International published a report on Monday according to which at least 44 children and young people had died as a result of “unlawful violence” by the security forces. The information cannot be independently verified.
As early as mid-October and mid-November, the EU had already decided on the first sanctions packages due to the events in Iran. They were directed, among other things, against the Iranian moral police and the inner circle of power of the Revolutionary Guards. In particular, members of the Basij militias, who the EU holds responsible for the deaths of several demonstrators, were also sanctioned.
Brutal crackdown on protesters
The “Basijis” are voluntary militias of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and are used, among other things, to suppress protests. They are considered the system’s most loyal supporters, and are said to be willing to sacrifice their lives as martyrs. According to eyewitnesses, the “Basijis” also acted extremely brutally against the demonstrators during the most recent protests. Therefore, the anger and aggression of the demonstrators is directed in particular at the Basij militias.
Moderate circles in the country are warning of a further escalation and are calling for new elections, among other things, to end the political crisis peacefully. For them, President Ebrahim Raisi, his government and the hardliners in parliament and the judiciary are no longer acceptable. According to observers, however, after the execution of the second demonstrator and the expected execution of further death sentences, such an option is becoming a distant prospect.
Separate from the sanctions for human rights violations, the EU had already imposed sanctions on Iran in October for supporting the Russian war against Ukraine. So far, the company Shahed Aviation Industries and three high-ranking military personnel have been affected. According to the EU, you are involved in the development and delivery of combat drones to Russia, which Russia will use against Ukraine.
Iran imposes counter-sanctions
Iran responded with counter-sanctions – including against several Germans. A list published on the website of the Foreign Ministry on Monday afternoon included Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens), former Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) and former President of the Bundestag Norbert Lammert (CDU). They have all been banned from entering Iran and will no longer be allowed to attend official meetings with representatives of the Islamic Republic. The EU sanctions ban entry and freeze assets in the EU.
