Nearly 200 members of the European Parliament have issued a statement supporting protesters in Iran, voicing deep concern over the suppression of protests and have demanded action by the EU and the UN.
The statement issued on March 19, speaks of “dozens killed” in the streets and “at least 13 deaths under torture in custody”. The Islamic Republic has issued lower numbers, saying that 25 people died in protests and three people in custody as a result of “suicide”.
The top signatory of the statement is Gerard Deprez of France, who leads Friends of Free Iran group. 197 members have signed the statement.
In a video statement one day before Nowruz, Mr. Deprez says “We are hopeful that this New Year will be the spring of freedom and democracy for the people of Iran.”
In their statement, European parliamentarians say, “The people of Iran, especially the younger generation, have made it clear that they are fed up with Islamic fundamentalist rule and want democratic change.”
They also insist, “The European Union should act. The silence of EU officials is unacceptable”.
The European Parliament has 751 members from 28 EU countries.