Iran - It is imperative that we support the imperilled civil society in Iran. Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP

Following the meeting of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and the Delegation for Relations with Iran on July 9 in Brussels, the Parliament held a debate on the situation in Iran today at the plenary session in Strasburg.

"The international community has to raise its voice about what is going on - while fully respecting Iran 's sovereignty. We have no option but to speak out against the repression applied to those who are standing up for the legitimate political aspirations of the Iranian people, and for those who want a more democratic, liberal Iran. The EU has a duty to stress the universality of human rights and to call Iran to task for the brutality and violence. Pressure on human rights - yes, but no isolation", stated Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, former Chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs.

He called on the Council to ensure that EU Member States and Ambassadors in Teheran are fully complying with the EU guidelines on human rights defenders and on the prevention of torture. He pointed out that the Commission should ensure that all available means are deployed to support and strengthen civil society organisations in Iran, notably via the European Instrument on Democracy and Human Rights.

"I firmly believe that the EU must find a way to re-engage with Iran in dialogue on all these issues. We need to find ways of building fresh trust and to create a strong diplomatic process. We offer our full support to the Council and the Commission in their efforts. In turn, we, the European Parliament, must continue our efforts to strengthen the parliamentary diplomacy aspect of our relations with Iran through our links with the Maijlis", concluded Saryusz-Wolski.