The human rights situation in Iran, notably the cases of Taraneh Rahimi and Leila Abolhasani Stressing that Iran is the country in the world with the highest death penalty per capita, MEPs denounce the unprecedented scale of violence by the authorities against the civilian population since January 2026. They refer to the intensification of attacks against human rights activists and journalists, as well as the sham prosecution of protesters, based on confessions obtained through torture. They call for the annulment of the politically motivated verdicts against Taraneh Rahimi, 20, and Leila Abolhasani, 43, both sentenced to death following protests, and also refer to the case of the sister of Taraneh Rahimi, Romina, sentenced to a long prison sentence. The death penalty must be abolished in Iran, MEPs say, who are deeply concerned about the increase in the number of women convicted, the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, and transnational repression by the regime outside its borders. They denounce Iran’s codification of gender discrimination and call for gender apartheid to be recognized as a crime against humanity under international law. The scope of sanctions needs to be broadened, MEPs believe. The UN’s independent international fact-finding mission needs to be stepped up, in order to gather evidence and identify those responsible for the crimes, and the Iranian regime needs to be referred to the International Criminal Court, they add. The resolution was adopted by 541 votes in favor, 11 against and 25 abstentions. Attempts by the ruling Georgian Dream party to ban opposition parties in Georgia Parliament denounces the misuse of legislation and institutions to silence political opponents in Georgia. It strongly condemns the attempts to ban opposition parties and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and peaceful protesters, including Elene Khoshtaria, 2025 Sakharov Prize laureate Mzia Amaglobeli, Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Baramidze and Nika Melia. Attempts to judicially eliminate political opposition are incompatible with democracy, MEPs say, and banning established political parties makes progress towards EU membership impossible. Deploring the lack of action by the EU and its member states in the face of the deteriorating situation in Georgia, MEPs reaffirm their support for the European aspirations of the Georgian people and reiterate their call for targeted sanctions against those responsible for democratic backsliding, violent repression and political persecution, first and foremost Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Shalva Papuashvili and Kakha Kaladze. The resolution was adopted by 445 votes in favour, 37 against and 97 abstentions. The cases of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and political prisoners in Azerbaijan Any future partnership agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan must be conditional on tangible improvements in human rights, including the release of political prisoners, MEPs say. While they welcome Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu’s recent arrival in Europe for urgent medical treatment and call for all prosecutions against him to be dropped. They also strongly condemn the detention of the President of the Azerbaijani People’s Front Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli, and his co-accused journalist Anar Abdullayev, and call for their immediate and unconditional release, denouncing their detention conditions and serious allegations of ill-treatment. MEPs criticize the misuse of criminal and national security laws to silence non-governmental organizations and the media in Azerbaijan. They condemn transnational repression against opponents abroad and call on the Commission to step up support for civil society and independent media in the country and in exile. MEPs call on the EU High Representative to prepare targeted measures under the EU Global Sanctions Regime and to ensure that diplomatic engagement upholds democratic values. The resolution was adopted by 492 votes in favor, 23 against and 60 abstentions.