WATCH: Labour MEP’s First Speech Is A Fiery Criticism Of Iran For Its Treatment Of Women
Labour MEP Josianne Cutajar used her first speech in the European Parliament to criticise the Iranian government for violating women’s rights.
“Women are people and have inalienable rights that cannot be stripped from them, no matter where they are,” she said. “Seeing as we believe in the rule of law, these fundamental rights must be protected everywhere, including beyond our European frontiers. While we must recognise and protect religious and socio-cultural differences, we can never comprehend how these are used as a deterrent to the full enjoyment of rights of Iranian women.”
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“We can never comprehend this focused attack on activists and professionals who are daily fighting for their country. I am proud that my country has fully implemented the Istanbul Convention against domestic violence, and this gives me more determination in uniting with this call for the the Iranian authorities to carry out the necessary legal reforms to criminalise gender-based violence and discrimination against women.”
The debate in the European Parliament was on a resolution which called on Iran to unconditionally release all women’s rights activists, including those who have protested against the hijab being mandatory.
It passed by a whopping 608 votes in favour, with only seven votes against and 46 abstentions.
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