Members of the European Parliament on Tuesday called on the EU to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.
They expressed horror over recent executions of protestors who took part in massive protests challenging the Iranian government.
“As long as Revolutionary Guards terrorise their own people and the entire region, we should treat them as terrorists and put them on the sanctions list,” said MEP Hannah Neumann, a German politician from the Greens party, in Strasburg.
The EU is reportedly preparing to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group in co-ordination with the UK.
A dual Iranian-British national, Ali Reza Akbari, was hanged last week for spying for British intelligence, a charge his family rejects.
Ms Neumann was one of many MEPs to call for the EU to list the IRGC amid deteriorating relations between the continent and Tehran.
Iran has been gripped with protests since September, after the death in custody of Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, 22.
“Time is now to consign the brutal regime of Iran to dustbins of history,” said MEP Evin Incir, a Swedish politician of Kurdish descent.
“Words of the international community are not enough any more, though. "Actions are crucial.
"If we want to stop delaying the moment of freedom, the EU must designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.”
MEP Tonino Picula, from the socialists and democrats’ group, issued a similar call, saying: “Our message to the regime needs to be loud and clear: stop killing your people.”
“The Iranian regime is brutal, cynical and barbaric,” said Mr Picula, a Croatian politician.
Politicians debated topics, including Iran, as thousands of members of the Iranian diaspora from all over Europe demonstrated in the streets of Strasburg to increase pressure on the EU to list the IRGC as a terror group during a non-binding resolution vote on Iran on Thursday.
Police said about 12,000 people took part in the demonstration in the eastern French city.
Activists accuse the Revolutionary Guard of playing a key role in the crackdown on the protests which according to rights groups has killed hundreds.
Ms Neumann criticised the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, for denouncing the recent execution of four protesters, while also meeting Iran’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Jordan on December 20 and trying to revive a defunct nuclear agreement.
“The EU should not be the ones stabilising a regime while its own people fight for its downfall,” she said.
More than 100 MEPs wrote to Mr Borrell last week calling on the bloc to designate the IRGC “in its entirety as a terrorist organisation".
European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, who attended the session in place of Mr Borrell, said that the debate showed that the Commission and Parliament shared the same concerns with regards to human rights’ violations in Iran.
“The Council will consider all options at its disposal including new restrictive measures related to the IRGC,” Mr Reynders said.
Since protests started, the EU has issued several rounds of sanctions against Iranian entities and people, including members of the IRGC, but has stopped short of listing the entire organisation.
The IRGC was formed after Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979 and has become a major military economic force in the country.
It was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2019.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
More on animal trafficking
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
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Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Power: 400hp
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Qualifier A, Muscat
(All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv)
Fixtures
Friday, February 18: 10am Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm Semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm Final
UAE squad:Ahmed Raza(captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
