Cornelia Ernst, Chair of the European Delegation to Iran, stated on the occasion of the renewed execution of a protester in Iran: „As Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Iran, I strongly condemn the execution of Madshidresa Rahnaward. Rahnaward is the second person executed by the regime since the protests began. More are in serious danger to follow. Against this background, I remain very clear: The death penalty must not be part of the repertoire of state action – in Iran or in any country in the world.

That yet another young person has been executed by the Iranian regime leaves me deeply saddened. I therefore call for an immediate moratorium on all death sentences imposed by the Iranian regime and the release of all imprisoned protesters. The regime shall be assured that the European Parliament and democratic societies worldwide will not turn their gaze away from the courageous people in Iran. Every violation of human rights will be seen. More than ever, my message is that the European Parliament stands with the feminist revolution in Iran.“

Further, Cornelia Ernst stated regarding the sanctioning of another European MP by the Iranian regime: „I condemn the sanctioning of my valued colleague Hannah Neumann by the Iranian regime. This represents a diplomatic affront which we, for our part, are firmly countering: as long as European parliamentarians are sanctioned by the Iranian regime, inter-parliamentary dialogue must remain suspended. At the same time, I am deeply concerned that a further diplomatic escalation spiral will occur. Moreover, thoughtless sanctions cannot be the means of choice: The past has shown that sanctions must be targeted and tailored, otherwise they run the risk of also affecting broad parts of civil society – and consequently the protesters themselves. Future sanctions must therefore be subject to an assessment that ensures they do not harm Iranian civil society. What is needed now are smart instruments and targeted support for the movement. This can take the form of providing secure channels of communication, funding or medical assistance. In my function as Chair of the Delegation, I will do everything I can to intensify these efforts.“