EU Parliament bans Iranian diplomats to avoid 'legitimizing regime'

WISE NEWS PRESS / BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has announced that all Iranian diplomats and representatives are banned from entering European Parliament premises in response to the Iranian regime's violent crackdown on nationwide protests.

The decision, shared by Metsola on Monday, serves as a direct diplomatic rebuke to Tehran. "This house will not contribute to the legitimization of a regime that survives through torture, repression, and murder," Metsola stated in a public post. The ban applies to all European Parliament sites in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg, and will remain in effect until further notice by a future parliamentary president.

EU prepares 'tougher' sanctions package

As the diplomatic isolation of Tehran grows, the European Commission confirmed that Brussels is working on a "new and tougher" set of sanctions. A spokesperson for the Commission verified that a special legal framework is being utilized to target individuals and entities responsible for "serious human rights violations and abuses." This decision requires unanimous approval from the 27 member states, a process that is currently gaining momentum among major European powers.

Debate over IRGC 'Terrorist Organization' status

One of the most significant points of contention remains whether to officially designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. While the IRGC is already under EU sanctions, its classification as a terror group has been debated for years. Under current EU rules, such a listing requires a judicial ruling from a member state.

A 2024 ruling by the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf, which found that an Iranian state agency initiated an attack on a synagogue in Bochum in 2022, has provided a potential legal basis for this designation. Germany, France, and the Netherlands have previously expressed support for this move, which would align the EU with the existing policies of the United States and Canada.

Escalating casualties and diplomatic tension

The diplomatic shift follows a surge in violence within Iran after demonstrations began on December 28, triggered by the collapse of the Iranian rial. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 10,600 people have been detained and over 500 individuals have lost their lives during the two-week uprising. The casualties reportedly include 496 protesters and 48 security personnel. In response to European pressure, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi summoned European heads of mission in Tehran, where ambassadors reportedly reiterated their grave concerns regarding the ongoing repression.

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Source: EuroNews