Iranian Youth Groups Across Europe Urge EU to Act Against Political Executions in Iran

By Amr Gohar

Brussels, Belgium, Iranian youth representatives from across Europe gathered in Brussels on Thursday to call for urgent European Union action to halt what they described as the most severe wave of political executions in Iran since the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners.

During a conference titled “Iran: Wave of Political Executions – The EU’s Responsibility & Policy Options. Iranian Youth Against the Dictatorships of the Shah and the Mullahs,” participants warned that Tehran is using executions as a tool to suppress dissent and prevent a new nationwide uprising.

Speakers presented information claiming that at least 31 political prisoners have been executed since mid-March, including eight members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). According to conference participants, more than 50 political prisoners remain on death row, with additional death sentences reportedly being issued regularly.

The conference brought together representatives of Iranian youth associations from several European countries, who unveiled a statement signed by more than 1,000 young Iranians living in Europe. The statement rejected both the former monarchy and the current religious establishment in Iran while expressing support for a democratic republic and the Ten-Point Plan proposed by Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) for the transitional period.

Rosa Zaraei, a human rights activist and postgraduate student in international politics based in London, argued that Europe’s longstanding approach toward Tehran has failed to improve human rights conditions or promote regional stability. She called on the European Union to make an immediate halt to executions a condition for future engagement with the Iranian government.

Soroush Aboutalebi, president of a youth association in Brussels, described the executions as part of a broader strategy to intimidate the population and discourage future protests. He noted that many of those executed were young people, reflecting what he said was the government’s concern over a younger generation seeking political change.

Rana Rahmanfard, a member of the Anglo-Iranian Youth Committee, said the Iranian people should not be forced to choose between dictatorship and war. She pointed to democratic reform, free elections, separation of religion and state, gender equality, and the abolition of the death penalty as key principles for Iran’s future.

Meanwhile, human rights activist Ali Basgheri raised concerns about increasing intimidation and political tensions among segments of the Iranian diaspora in Europe. He called on European authorities to adopt a policy of zero tolerance toward political extremism and intimidation.

Conference participants urged the European Union to condition diplomatic and economic relations with Tehran on an immediate halt to executions, impose sanctions on officials responsible for human rights violations, and support international accountability efforts through the United Nations.

The gathering also promoted a major international demonstration scheduled for June 20 in Paris. Organizers said the event, backed by more than 300 Iranian associations and organizations from Europe and North America, is expected to attract up to 100,000 participants calling for an end to political executions and support for a democratic and secular republic in Iran.

The planned rally is expected to become one of the largest gatherings of Iranian opposition supporters in Europe this year.