21/05/2026 Political Affairs and Democracy
The Committee on Political Affairs, meeting in Paris on 20 May, strongly condemned “the brutal, murderous and systematic repression of the protests” that began in Iran in December 2025 and the intensification of this repression since the beginning of the armed conflict in February 2026 with Israel and the United States, including the expansion of the death penalty and the use of torture.
The committee emphasised that “the worsening regional situation must not divert attention from the plight of the Iranian population”, who continue to suffer human rights violations, internal displacement, a lack of access to essential services, and restrictions on communications.
According to the report by Max Lucks (Germany, SOC), adopted by the committee, human rights concerns have not been sufficiently integrated into diplomatic processes, and “lasting peace and stability in Iran cannot be achieved in the absence of respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”.
In this context, the committee called on member states to “strengthen support for Iranian civil society”, particularly human rights defenders, journalists and other democratic actors, and encouraged enhanced dialogue with representatives of Iranian civil society and the opposition.
Furthermore, the committee expressed deep concern at “the pattern of transnational repression attributed to Iranian authorities” targeting individuals in Council of Europe member states and called for the effective protection of individuals at risk.
Finally, the adopted draft resolution called for “the immediate establishment of a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in Iran, with a view to its full abolition” and for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful protest.