By Martin Banks

The European Green Party says it “strongly condemns” what it calls the Iran authorities’ “violent repression of peaceful protests that includes killings and mass arrests.”

The pan-EU party has now called on the European Union to “move beyond statements and take decisive action against those responsible.”

The demand comes with tensions still high in Iran following a recent outburst of street protests against the ruling regime in the country. The Iranian government says these have now been largely quelled but governments in the West, including in Europe, are still closely watching developments in the country.

Donald Trump has said that he may take action if violence is used against the protestors.

Ciarán Cuffe, European Green Party Co-Chair,  was quick to respond to the disorder, saying, “International law is clear.

“People have the right to peaceful protest and to express themselves freely, and the Iranian regime is bound to respect those rights. When peaceful demonstrators are killed and repression is systematic, words are not enough. The Iranian regime has been particularly repressive to women – whose voices are being finally heard on the streets in recent days. The European Union must act now with targeted sanctions, and finally list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, a long standing demand of the European Greens.”

Further reaction to the demos has come from Vula Tsetsi, Co-Chair of the European Green Party, who added, “We stand in solidarity with the women and young people leading these protests, risking their lives for freedom and justice.

“We welcome EU High Representative Kaja Kallas’ signal that she is ready to propose new sanctions, and UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ call on Iran to respect human rights. The EU must act swiftly and decisively to support those peacefully demanding freedom.”

 Meanwhile, the whip of the Patriots for Europe Group in the EU Parliament has written to both EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and Commission vice-president Kaja Kallas requesting that

“Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) [be placed] on the European Union’s list of terrorist organisations and to clearly reaffirm the EU’s support for the Iranian people who continue to courageously resist an oppressive regime.”

The MEP described the IRGC as “the central pillar of a brutal Islamist dictatorship and functions as a state-sponsored terrorist organisation. It plays a leading role in the violent repression of peaceful protests in Iran, including the killing, torture, and imprisonment of citizens whose sole demand is freedom, dignity, and basic human rights.”

The Danish MEP added that “Designating the IRGC as a terrorist organisation would enable the EU to freeze assets, disrupt networks operating within Europe, and send an unambiguous political signal that the European Union stands with the Iranian people, not with their oppressors.”

Vistisen concluded that “The Iranian protesters must know that Europe stands firmly on the side of freedom.”

Separately and in a statement, Kallas, herself a former MEP, said, “The EU expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people as they voice their legitimate aspiration for a better life, freedom and dignity.”

She added, “We follow closely and with great concern the reports on casualties and condemn the use of violence, arbitrary detention, and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators. All individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights must be released immediately.

“We urge Iranian authorities to adhere to Iran’s international obligations and fully uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. We also call for ensuring the right of access to information, including by restoring access to the internet for all.”