Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024

European hostages in Iran used as political 'bargaining chips'

European hostages in Iran used as political 'bargaining chips'

Some 15 European citizens are currently detained in Iranian prisons proving a major source of diplomatic tension between Iran and the EU.
Lengthy sentences, torture and for some, the death penalty. This is the reality of an estimated 15 Europeans face who are imprisoned in Iran.

While two French citizens, Benjamin Brière and Bernard Phelan, were liberated last Friday, others are still living behind bars. “There are Europeans from lots of different nationalities, namely Swedish, British and French detainees", explains Raphaël Chenuil-Hazan, the president of the French NGO, Ensemble contre la peine de mort which fights against the use of capital punishment.

Europeans and dual nationals are systematically used as political bargaining chips by Iran. According to Chenuil-Hazan, Europe feeds into this vicious cycle, “unfortunately ‘hostage diplomacy’ works because it [Brussels] continues to negotiate for hostages”.

Who has been handed a death sentence?

Charged with organising an attack against a military parade in 2018, the execution of Swedish-Iranian Habib Farajollah Chaab in early May sparked an international backlash. Europe's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borell, "strongly condemned" the decision, with Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom responding to the news with ‘dismay’.

The dual national had been living in Sweden for over a decade, he was kidnapped whilst travelling in Turkey in January 2020 by Iranian security.

“Iran did not recognise Chabib’s dual Swedish and Iranian nationality. They only saw an Iranian opponent, rather than a European. He is Swedish and he should be protected as such by international conventions,” Chenuil-Hazan said.

The case of Alireza Akbari, a British-Iranian dual national executed on charges of spying for the United Kingdom in January, also made headlines. Akbari was sentenced for 'corruption on Earth', as well as for posing a threat to national security. This is a commonplace motive according to Chenuil-Hazan, "there is this fear of spying. They see spies everywhere!"

"Since 2022 the death penalty has increasingly been used by the government to put pressure on protestors", Agnès Callamard, the Secretary-General of Amnesty, told Euronews. Iran carried out more than 576 executions in 2022, the second highest rate in the world after China, according to Amnesty International’s latest report.

As for 2023, experts fear the execution rate will rise: “Eighteen protestors have already been sentenced to death and hundreds more risk a similar fate”, said Chenuil-Hazan.

Europe’s relations with Iran

"There are a number of Iranian leaders who do not believe in maintaining relations with the West, they only believe in power plays. They are convinced that there is no point in equal negotiations" explained Thierry Coville, an expert in International Relations.

However, Coville underlined the importance of such talks: "It's not because we discuss, that we give in. Establishing a dialogue means making contact, looking at what is required, establishing a balance of power and effectively trying to achieve the objective we have been talking about, which is to get these people out of there."

“The European Parliament placed certain members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on a blacklist. However, they shouldn’t be picking individuals but instead placing the whole body on the list”, Bart Groothuis, the Vice-President of the Iran Delegation of the European Union and MEP for Renew Europe told Euronews.

Groothius - who has also been sanctioned by Iran - has urged Borrel to "come up with new forms of hostage diplomacy and work on prisoner swaps, to see what we can do to get more prisoners out of Iran."

Last January, MEPs voted in favour of a resolution that would classify the Islamic National Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorists. However, this measure was not implemented. “There needs to be a court decision first", said Borell last January.

Under EU legislation, it is up to the 27 Member States to provide consular assistance and deal with their citizens imprisoned in Iran. They may then request assistance from Brussels to complement these efforts.

However, according to Amnesty International, European governments could go further in assisting their citizens. “It is open to question whether European governments are doing all they can do. For instance, there are doubts as to whether they are attending the trials of these individuals”, underlined Callamard.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Italy Slaps OpenAI with Landmark Fine: A Catalyst for Global Data Privacy Debate
Gaza Ceasefire Talks Approach Brink: Delicate Diplomacy at Play
Progress in Gaza Ceasefire Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict
Saudi Football Star Fahad Al-Muwallad in Critical Condition After Balcony Fall
Gaza Ceasefire Hangs by a Thread as Mediators Navigate a Stalemate of Epic Proportions
Syria's Future: A Fight for Democracy or Another Cycle of Oppression?
Gaza on the Brink: Economic Collapse and the Humanitarian Abyss
Ankara Ascends: Turkey's Rising Influence in Syria's Post-Assad Landscape
International Tensions Escalate Amid Gaza Conflict and Syrian Crisis
Gaza Conflict at Day 439: Renewed Ceasefire Hopes Amidst Ongoing Strife
Global Challenges: Syrian Repatriation, Natural Disasters, and Political Turmoil
U.S. Indicts Syrian Officials for Torture Amidst Assad's Overthrow: A New Era of Accountability and Diplomatic Reevaluation
Global Geopolitical Shifts: U.S. Strategy in Syria, Regional Tensions, and Calls for Nuclear Disarmament
Major Geopolitical Developments: Turkiye Reopens Border for Syrian Refugee Returns Amidst Regional Tensions and Political Transformations
Hypersonic Tensions: Yemen's Missile Disrupts Israel Amid Regional Escalation
Escalating Middle East Tensions and U.S. Tragedy: A Global Snapshot
Germany Suspends Syrian Asylum Decisions Amid Post-Assad Uncertainty
Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza: A Blow to Civilians and Press Freedom
Global Instability: UAE Advocates for Syrian Unity Amidst Middle East Tensions, Military Setback in Turkey, and Escalating Violence in Haiti
Key Regional Shifts in the Middle East Following Assad's Ouster: Challenges and Opportunities
France Supports Syria's Transition After Assad's Ouster Amid Middle East Turmoil
Recent Global Power Shifts: Political Upheavals and Security Challenges Redefining Nations
Global Conflicts and Health Developments: From Gaza's Hospital Crisis to Morocco's Medical Advancements
Transformative Shifts in Global Politics: The Fall of Assad, Maritime Piracy Threats, and Political Change in Ghana
Turbulent Transition: Syria's Political Upheaval and Global Reactions
Escalating Middle Eastern Conflicts and Political Tensions: A Snapshot of Global Unrest and Efforts for Stabilization
Syria's Crossroads: Can Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Lead a Unified Country After Assad's Fall?
End of an Era: Assad's Departure Amid Rebel Advances Signals Major Shift in Syria's Civil War
Global Shifts: UK Trade Missions, Korean Political Turmoil, and Syrian Conflict Dynamics
Escalating Global Tensions: Hospital Destruction in Gaza, Lebanese Military Movements, Alaskan Volcano Alert, Syrian Conflict Developments, Golan Heights Security, and U.S. Aid to Ukraine
Morocco Secures $13 Billion Investment for Railway Expansion at Africa Investment Forum
Israeli Strikes Devastate Gaza Hospital; EU Lifts Pakistan Airlines Ban; Global Holiday Traditions and Middle East Tensions Highlighted
Global Tensions and Shifts: From Netanyahu's Critique and African Political Instability to Syrian Rebel Advances and Renewed Middle East Peace Efforts
Military Diversity Debate, Gaza Clashes, Notre Dame's Rebirth, South Korean Political Crisis, Trump's Diplomatic Visit, and Ghana's Pivotal Election
U.S. State Department Urges Immediate Evacuation from Syria Amid Escalating Conflict and Strategic Power Shifts
Global Hotspots: Humanitarian Crises, Geopolitical Tensions, and Key Developments in Gaza, Lebanon, Colombia, Ghana, the UK, and Syria
Global Unrest and Diplomacy: Travel Warnings, Security Strategies, and Legal Challenges Highlight Shifting International Landscape
Key Global Developments: Crisis Management, Climate Impact, Diplomatic Changes, and Cultural Recognition
China-Taiwan Tensions Escalate Amid US Engagements; Global Diplomatic Challenges Unfold
Global Political Shifts: Impeachment in South Korea, Taiwan's US Outreach, Syrian Humanitarian Crisis, and Notable Developments in the UK, India, and Southeast Asia
Escalating Global Crises: High-Profile Manhunt, Antisemitic Violence in Australia, Middle East Tensions, Iran's Space Ambitions, and Strategic Military Patrols in Asia-Pacific
Tragic Loss: Al Jazeera Journalist Killed Amid Escalating Gaza Violence
Exodus from Beirut: The Drastic Closure of Skies and Its Implications for Lebanon
Seismic Stability, Tech Innovation, and Diplomatic Strategies: Key Developments in California, US Policy, and Global Conflict
Global Dynamics: Middle Eastern Alliances, Western Political Challenges, and Shifts in European Geopolitics
Global Headlines: Search for NZ Climbers, Namibia's First Female President, French Political Shifts, US CEO Assassination, Jenin Tensions, and Syrian Exodus
Top Boy's Name in England and Wales Reveals Cultural Shift; International Rescue in Red Sea Highlights Maritime Cooperation; Middle East Tensions and Humanitarian Crises Escalate Amid Ceasefire Hopes
Global Tensions and Transformations: Military Criticism, Diplomatic Strains, Syrian Conflict Shifts, EU Aspirations, and Judicial Challenges
Global Crisis Overview: Renewed Conflict in Syria, Security Challenges in the Philippines, Political Turmoil in France, Allegations in Iraq, and Humanitarian Appeals for Sudan.
Global Diplomacy and Humanitarian Efforts Amid Rising Tensions: Key Developments and Challenges
×