Print
See related documents
Resolution 1567 (2007)
Iran’s nuclear programme: the need for an international response
1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers to Resolution 1436 (2005) on Iran’s nuclear programme: the need for an international response, in which it resolved to remain seized of the question of the Iranian nuclear programme. It takes note of the main developments relating to the Iranian nuclear issue since April 2005 and regrets that the situation has deteriorated considerably.
2. The Assembly is preoccupied by Iran’s continuing failure to respond to serious and well-founded concerns of the international community about the nature of its past and present nuclear programme, and is concerned by the declared intention of the Iranian authorities to speed up and broaden work carried out in the nuclear field, including uranium enrichment on an industrial scale.
3. It takes note that on 24 September 2005 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution stating that Iran is not in compliance with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Safeguards Agreement.
4. It particularly deplores that Iran, to date, has not ratified the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement, has put an end to its voluntary implementation of this protocol on a provisional basis and has significantly lowered its level of co-operation with the IAEA.
5. It further regrets the rejection by Iran of a comprehensive solution to the nuclear issue presented by Mr Javier Solana on behalf of the group of six countries (China, France, Germany, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United States) in June 2006.
6. It is particularly concerned by Iran’s refusal to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007), which make it mandatory for Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment activities. Such an attitude constitutes an open challenge to the international community and calls for a common response.
7. In this context, the Assembly underscores the common understanding among the group of six countries that the possession of nuclear weapons by Iran would pose an unacceptable threat both to the already fragile situation in the Middle East and to international peace and security as a whole. It welcomes the fact that the members of the UN Security Council showed unity on Iran by unanimously adopting Resolutions 1737 and 1747, and that this common position is gathering growing international support.
8. The Assembly believes that Iran has the potential to become a respected actor in regional and global affairs and assume the role of a pillar of regional stability to which it aspires. It acknowledges that Iran’s legitimate rights must be respected and its security concerns addressed. However, this requires that Iran act in a responsible manner and in full compliance with its international obligations. Iran must also fully respect human rights as being universal and individual. The Assembly also considers it to be of great importance that Iran establishes democracy and the rule of law.
9. Regrettably, acts by the Iranian leadership, such as provocative statements regarding Israel, the refusal to recognise Israel and its right to security, the denial of the Holocaust, as well as its support for the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups, are in clear contradiction with generally accepted norms of international relations.
10. Such attitudes further undermine the international community’s trust in Iran, which has already been compromised by an almost twenty year-long policy of concealment of its nuclear programme. Moreover, they lead to an even greater isolation of Iran, which is contrary to the interests of the Iranian people. Iran’s poor human rights record is a cause for additional mistrust and concern.
11. The Assembly remains convinced that the solution to the Iranian nuclear issue must be found through negotiation and diplomacy. It welcomes the renewed efforts by Mr Solana, on behalf of the group of six countries, aimed at convincing Iran to comply with the UN Security Council requirements. It further welcomes the United States’ readiness to engage directly in the negotiations, subject to Iran’s suspension of uranium enrichment.
12. Mutual confidence is of key importance, both in finding a solution to the nuclear issue which would take into account Iran’s rights while responding to other countries’ concerns and in allowing the Iranians to take the place they deserve among the community of nations. In order to restore that confidence, the Iranian leadership must change its position from defiance to co-operation.
13. Broader contacts with various parts of Iranian society, including individual contacts, would be instrumental in building trust and confidence, whereas the further isolation of Iran would hinder them.
14. The Assembly stands ready to contribute to efforts to build confidence by engaging in a dialogue with the Iranian Parliament and in contacts with the civil society of the country. Such a dialogue should not be limited to nuclear issues but should encompass the Council of Europe’s basic values of democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and could include other matters of mutual concern. In this context, it refers to its Resolutions 1520 (2006) and 1550 (2007) which call on the parliaments of the Middle East, including that of Iran, to contribute to regional stability and to engage in a meaningful dialogue for peace.
15. The Assembly urges Iran to:
15.1. put an end to its policy of defiance and to co-operate with the international community so as to alleviate concerns about its nuclear programme, and in particular to:
15.1.1. comply without delay with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1696, 1737 and 1747, and to suspend all activities in the nuclear field which are matters of concern as reflected in the said resolutions;
15.1.2. resume full co-operation with the IAEA, to provide it with exhaustive and accurate information on its past and current nuclear programme, and to resolve outstanding issues which prompted the agency to declare it in non-compliance with its obligations under the NPT Safeguards Agreement;
15.1.3. ratify without delay and to effectively implement the Additional Protocol to the NPT Safeguards Agreement, and to take voluntary action going beyond the requirements of the additional protocol;
15.2. address other issues which cause the international community to mistrust Iran, and in particular to:
15.2.1. reconsider fundamentally its attitude towards the State of Israel, to recognise its right to security and to abstain from anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic statements;
15.2.2. stop supporting terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah;
15.2.3. refrain from any activities aimed at destabilising Iraq and to use its influence in order to promote peace, order and reconciliation in this country;
15.2.4. respect universally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms.
16. The Assembly calls on Council of Europe member and observer states to:
16.1. provide full support to the efforts of the group of six countries aimed at a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, along the lines of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions;
16.2. contribute to strengthening international support for the UN Security Council position on sanctions against Iran, in particular among states participating in the Non-Aligned Movement, and to fully and rapidly implement them;
16.3.
intensify contacts and multiply channels of dialogue with Iran at government and parliamentary levels, as a means of confidence building and conveying to Iran the concerns of the international community;
16.4. develop co-operation with Iran in areas of mutual interest and shared concerns which do not fall under the UN Security Council sanctions, such as the fight against drug trafficking;
16.5. facilitate people-to-people contacts, scientific, cultural and student exchanges with Iran, thus contributing to its opening to the world.
17.
The Assembly resolves to:
17.1. remain seized of the issue of the Iranian nuclear programme, and asks its Political Affairs Committee to continue to follow this matter closely;
17.2. seek to open, at committee level, a dialogue with the Iranian Parliament on matters relating to the core values of the Council of Europe, as well as on other issues of mutual concern. It reiterates its call on the parliaments of the Middle East, including the Iranian Parliament, to contribute to regional stability and to engage in a meaningful dialogue for peace.