WRITTEN QUESTION E-1209/00 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission. Persecution of 13 Iranians of the Jewish faith in Iran.
20. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 53 E/69 (2001/C 53 E/082) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1088/00 by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Trial of 13 Iranian Jews by the Iranian authorities (7 April 2000) The Iranian authorities have announced that 13 Iranian Jews from the city of Shiraz will be brought to trial on 13 April this year. They are accused of spying for the Zionist regimeí and the United States and of áarrogance on a worldwide scaleí. Israel and the United States have categorically denied any links with the accused. Nevertheless, not least on the basis of similar cases in the past, it is extremely likely that the Teheran court will sentence them to death. What steps will the Commission take to ensure respect for fundamental human rights and guarantee that the trial is conducted in a proper manner, in view of the fact that the conditions under which the accused are being detained and will be tried do not meet the minimum standards required to ensure that justice is done? Can the Commission prevail upon the Teheran government to authorise the presence of observers from the Commission or the European Parliament to ascertain respect for and actual compliance with the right of defence and ensure that the trial is fair and just? (2001/C 53 E/083) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1209/00 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission Subject: Persecution of 13 Iranians of the Jewish faith in Iran (14 April 2000) For approximately one year, 13 Iranians of the Jewish faith have been imprisoned without trial on charges of spying and have been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment on a daily basis. The latest reports indicate that most of them are not being allowed to choose a lawyer to defend them at their trial, which is scheduled for 13 April. In the light of the ácritical dialogueí that has been initiated between the Union and Iran, will the Commission say what measures it will take to obtain guarantees of a fair and open trial and the safeguarding of the right to choose a defence lawyer? (2001/C 53 E/084) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1251/00 by Alejandro Cercas (PSE) to the Commission (14 April 2000) Subject: Legal guarantees and human rights of a group of Jewish Iranian citizens On various occasions the European Parliament (which adopted a resolution on the matter in September 1999) and the media have considered the possibility that a group of Iranian Jews accused of spying may face trial on charges carrying a possible death sentence. Will the Commission give details of any measures that have been taken and initiatives it could adopt to ensure respect for human rights and, in particular, a fair trial for these citizens?