In response to the recent death sentences handed down to two Iranian political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, the Committee of Romanian Parliamentarians for a Free Iran has issued a public statement condemning the Iranian regime’s actions and calling for immediate international intervention. The statement, addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, urges the United Nations to take swift and decisive measures to prevent the execution of the two men, who have been sentenced to death by Iran’s Revolutionary Court on charges of “waging war against God” and “corruption on Earth.”
The sentences are seen as part of a broader campaign by the Iranian regime to silence opposition, particularly in light of last year’s anniversary of nationwide protests. Both men, supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), have been subjected to physical and psychological torture since their arrests in 2022, further highlighting the regime’s disregard for international human rights norms.
The Romanian parliamentary committee’s statement directs its appeal to the United Nations, calling for immediate actions such as a strong public condemnation and the activation of human rights mechanisms to investigate these executions. The statement highlights the gravity of the situation, stating, “The death sentences… are nothing but an attempt to suppress political opponents through violence and fear.” It further stresses, “Iran’s continued use of arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions clearly violates the basic principles of international human rights law.”
The Committee urges the UN to hold Iran accountable under conventions like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture, both of which Iran is accused of violating.
Full Statement:
Hon António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
We, the members of the “Committee of Romanian Parliamentarians for a Free Iran,” hereby express our deep concern over the death sentences of Mr. Behrouz Ehsani and Mr. Mehdi Hassani, two political prisoners who support the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). We also urge the United Nations to utilize all mechanisms of international law at its disposal to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its continuous violations of human rights and to stop the execution of these two individuals.
The death sentences issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court against Mr. Behrouz Ehsani and Mr. Mehdi Hassani, based on charges of “waging war against God” and “corruption on earth,” are nothing but an attempt to suppress political opponents through violence and fear. These sentences are part of a broader campaign to silence the opposition and prevent further uprisings, especially on the 2022 anniversary of the protests.
Iran’s continued use of arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions clearly violates the basic principles of international human rights law. In particular, we highlight Iran’s violations of its binding commitments under international conventions such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to a fair trial (Article 14), freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment (Article 7), and the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and expression (Articles 18 and 19). These principles have been systematically violated in the cases of political prisoners such as Mr. Ehsani and Mr. Hassani.
Iran’s actions also contravene the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). The widespread use of torture in Iran’s detention centers, including in the cases of the aforementioned prisoners, is a clear violation of this convention, and Iran must be held accountable.
We respectfully request that the United Nations take the following immediate actions:
- Issue a strong public condemnation of these sentences and Iran’s continued use of the death penalty as a political tool.
- Demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Behrooz Ehsani, Mr. Mehdi Hosni, and other political prisoners in Iran.
- We call on the United Nations to activate its human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, to investigate these executions and the broader pattern of Iranian repression. Special rapporteurs should be mandated to further investigate the human rights situation in Iran, particularly with regard to extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions.
We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to the United Nations taking the necessary and immediate steps in response to our requests.
Sincerely,
1- Ms Maria Grecea Former Deputy
2- Ms Maria Eugenia Barna Former Deputy
3- Mr Catalin Tenita Deputy
4- Mr Titus Pasca Former Senator
5- Mr Mihai Deaconu Former Deputy