92000E1250

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1250/00

by Alejandro Cercas (PSE) to the Council

(27 April 2000)

Subject: Legal guarantees and human rights of a group of Jewish Iranian citizens

On various occasions the European Parliament (which adopted a resolution on the matter in September 1999) and the media have considered the possibility that a group of Iranian Jews accused of spying may face trial on charges carrying a possible death sentence. Will the Council give details of any measures that have been taken and initiatives it could adopt to ensure respect for human rights and, in particular, a fair trial for these citizens?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1208/00 and E-1250/00

(28 September 2000)

The question of the 13 Iranian Jews has been raised in talks, on all possible occasions and at all levels, between EU representatives and Iranian official representatives, notably during the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister Kharrazi to Helsinki in September 1999 and at the EU-Iran dialogue meeting in December.

In response to these representations and to such representations undertaken by the Member States of the European Union the Iranian Government assured and re-assured the European Union that the detained Jews would get a fair and transparent trial.

In April, just before the opening of the trial, the European Union expressed again to the Iranian authorities the importance the EU attaches to this issue and recalled the Iranian commitments as to the conduct of the trial.

The European Union has learnt with concern of the verdict pronounced by the revolutionary court in Shiraz. It is disappointed that the trial was held in camera despite the assurances given by the Iranian authorities. The European Union notes that the decision is open to appeal. In view of the significance it attaches to this issue, it strongly hopes that the court of appeal will overturn the convictions. The European Union will continue to express its concern to the Iranian authorities.