Declaration by female Ministers and State Secretaries for European Affairs, a Vice President and a Member of the European Parliament on Women’s rights in Iran and beyond
Declaration by:
Nicola Beer, Vice-President of the European Parliament
Laurence Boone, Minister of State for Europe (France)
Karoline Edtstadler, Minister for the EU and Constitution (Austria)
Daniela Gîtman, Secretary of State for European Affairs (Romania)
Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport (Liechtenstein)
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Parl. Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Latvia)
Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions (Belgium)
Anna Lührmann, Minister of State for Europe and Climate (Germany)
Eva Maydell, Member of the European Parliament
Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, State Secretary for Europe (Croatia)
Jovita Neliupšienė, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs (Lithuania)
Tytti Tuppurainen, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering (Finland)
Judit Varga, Minister of Justice (Hungary)
We, as Women and Ministers and State Secretaries for European Affairs, Vice President and Member of the European Parliament want to express our deepest indignation after the death of Mahsa Amini, 22 years, following her arrest by the Iranian police for non-compliance with the mandatory dress code consisting in the wearing of a hijab or foulard on all her hair.
We take note of the statement of the President of Iran that her death will be investigated. In this regard, we expect a thorough investigation. Any proved responsible for her death has to be held accountable.
We also reiterate our strong support for the fundamental right to assemble and protest. We disapprove the violent crackdown which was opposed to the courageous demonstrations, which have taken place following this dramatic event. As clearly stated in the Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU, we urge the Iranian authorities to strictly abide by the principles enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party. Therefore, we expect Iran to immediately stop the violent crackdown on protests and ensure Internet access, as well as the free flow of information. We also expect Iran to clarify the number of deaths and arrested during the demonstrations, release all non-violent protestors and provide due process to all detainees. We commit ourselves, as a group of European women in positions of political responsibility, to use all our energy to act in favor of a greater protection of women's rights.
We cannot stand that a woman loses her life because of how she chooses to dress.
We cannot either tolerate that so many women today cannot freely decide on their appearance, move, choose, study, undertake - just like men.
This aspiration to equality between women and men has no borders.
This is why our action will be threefold:
Firstly, we will act so that the EU law is fully respected, beginning with Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, which advocates the values of human dignity, freedom and democracy - and Article 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union - proclaiming equality between women and men in all areas, including employment, work and pay. We will also work to ensure that all its legal extensions get adopted.
Secondly, we will support actions within and outside the European Union to protect and promote women's rights. We will strive to ensure that all girls and women can exert fully and unhindered their power of emancipation and their right to freedom.
Thirdly, we will support all measures to prevent and counteract violations of women's rights, including, but not limited to, the global human rights sanctions regime. We will also aim to promote a wider adherence to measures aimed at preventing and suppressing violence against women.
For Iran, for Ukraine, for Afghanistan, for Europe and everywhere else, we will remain in solidarity with all those who have the most genuine dream: to be free.
