Written declaration No. 427 | Doc. 11966 | 23 June 2009

The situation in Iran

Signatories: Mr Jean-Claude MIGNON, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Florin Serghei ANGHEL, Romania, EPP/CD ; Mr Iosif Veniamin BLAGA, Romania, EPP/CD ; Mr Georges COLOMBIER, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Alain COUSIN, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Renato FARINA, Italy, EPP/CD ; Mr Bernard FOURNIER, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Jean-Claude FRÉCON, France, SOC ; Ms Claude GREFF, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Oskars KASTĒNS, Latvia, ALDE ; Ms Christine MARIN, France, EPP/CD ; Ms Muriel MARLAND-MILITELLO, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Bernard MARQUET, Monaco, ALDE ; Mr Philippe NACHBAR, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Pasquale NESSA, Italy, EPP/CD ; Ms Antigoni PAPADOPOULOS, Cyprus ; Mr Christos POURGOURIDES, Cyprus, EPP/CD ; Mr François ROCHEBLOINE, France, EPP/CD ; Mr René ROUQUET, France ; Ms Maria STAVROSITU, Romania ; Mr Luca VOLONTÈ, Italy, EPP/CD

This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.

Many voices are denouncing the way the recent elections took place in Iran. Admittedly, democratic elections couldn’t have been expected. But the overwhelming victory, as of the first round, of a candidate whose popularity is far from established, defies the forecasts of the best specialists. It also inspires fear for the future of Iran and the world.

The massive denunciations of frauds, rigging and intimidations cannot be passed over in silence. The absence of international observers is adding even more to the doubts on the legality of the poll.

At the same time, the violence against the demonstrators is ominous of a period of repression. The first news mentions several dead moreover.

We consequently ask the Council of Europe, guarantor of democracy, of human rights and of the rule of law, to join its voice to the various international statements. By demonstrating its solidarity with the Iranian people, victim for so many years of a terror-based regime, the Council of Europe must take a clear stance to denounce the provocation, subversion and cynicism of an outgoing president ready to do anything to keep power. It is therefore fair to envisage an in-depth inquiry and a new poll.