5 February 1993

Doc. 6769

1403-4/2/93-22-E

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on the political situation in Iran

presented by the Earl of DUNDEE and others

1.       The Assembly is deeply disturbed by continuing reports of flagrant human rights abuses by the Iranian regime, as cited in the November 1992 report by the Special Representative of the United Nations Human Rights Commission on Iran, and the United Nations General Assembly resolution in December 1992.

2.       The Rafsanjani Government's vigorous attempts to acquire nuclear weapons and expand its program to build weapons of mass destruction, including biological weapons, is a matter of concern for the international community, as well as the existence of ten potential nuclear weapons facilities in Iran and the reported agreement between that country and Russia for the construction of an 880 megawatt nuclear power plant.

3.       The Assembly is appalled at the remarks made by Teheran officials openly advocating cooperation between Muslims nations to acquire atomic capability and ignore United Nations efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.

4.       It recalls the letter on 28 October 1992 by the majority of the United States Senate to the United Nations Secretary General, drawing attention to Iran's "quest to obtain nuclear weapons and technology".

5.       The fact is that the nuclear efforts on the part of the Teheran Government and its intensive drive to spread fundamentalism and terrorism are intended to secure Iran's hegemony on the Middle East region.

6.       The Assembly also notes with grave concern the declared position of the Iranian Minister of Justice, Mohammad Yazdi, on 27 November 1992, that "the government of Iran does not abide by the international covenants signed by Iran".

7.       The Assembly,

i.       Condemns the persisting and deteriorating violations of human rights in Iran, particularly the widespread arrest and execution of protesters in the public anti-government demonstrations;

ii.       Expresses profound concern over the threat posed by the nuclear efforts of the Teheran regime to peace and stability in the Middle East and Persian Gulf region;

iii.       Supports the call by the President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Mr Massoud Rajvai, on the international community to impose an oil and arms embargo on the Khomeini regime; a call also endorsed by 1 500 parliamentarians from twenty European and non-European countries;

iv.       Calls on the member states of the Council of Europe to ban the delivery of all conventional and non-conventional arms and equipment of possible military use to the mullahs" regime and prevent its efforts to boost its military capability;

v.       Calls on the member states to avoid any political, economic and particularly oil trade which could assist the Iranian regime in its pursuit of militarism;

vi.        Further calls on the member states to table a resolution at the United Nations Security Council to impose an effective oil and arms embargo on the Teheran regime;

vii.        Also calls on all member states to establish dialogue with the National Council of Resistance of Iran as the true representative of the Iranian people.

Signed:       Dundee, Atkinson, Brito, Pinto, Cucó, Palacios, Lentz-Cornette, Flückiger, Rubner, Vinci, Akarçali.