WATCH | Daniel Attard meets Iranian community in Malta, urges EU action over Iran crackdown

Labour MEP Daniel Attard has met representatives of the Iranian community in Malta to discuss the worsening human rights situation in Iran and to renew calls for decisive European and international action.

Attard, who is vice-president of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Iran, said the meeting focused on the impact of ongoing repression, including arbitrary arrests, violence and the systematic shutdown of internet and communications to intimidate, silence and censor the population.

Discussions centred on the situation facing women, young people, civil society and ethnic and religious minorities, as well as the responsibility of the international community to defend fundamental rights and combat impunity.

The meeting followed what Attard described as a decisive week in the European Parliament, which adopted by an overwhelming majority a resolution condemning the brutal repression of protesters in Iran. The resolution, which Attard also signed in his capacity as vice-president of the Iran delegation, calls for concrete EU action, including sanctions against the regime and those responsible for killings and repression, an international investigation and the designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

Speaking in plenary before the vote, Attard said the situation in Iran could not be dismissed as instability or isolated protests, but amounted to systematic repression in which the justice system was being used as a weapon against the people.

Attard also raised the issue directly with the president of the European Council, urging agreement within the Council to allow the EU to move forward with decisive action. He warned that any delay would only benefit those responsible for human rights violations.

“The European Parliament has spoken clearly,” Attard said. “Now it is time for the Council to align itself and for the Commission to act.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to continue working for justice, freedom and dignity for the Iranian people, stressing that Iran’s future must be determined by its people, in all their diversity.