Phil Bennion (Renew). – Mr President, on 15 November, protests against the tripling of gas prices began throughout Iran, and they spread quickly. The regime engaged in a bloody suppression and completely blocked the internet on 17 November, to prevent news on the scale of the process and the scope of its brutal crackdown spreading.
According to Amnesty International, over 300 people have been killed, and I’ve heard estimates from other groups that say it could even be as high as 1 500. The United Nations Human Rights Office reports that women and children are among those killed, and at least 7 000 people have been arrested. I urge the United Nations Security Council, governments and the international community to condemn these killings and the suppression and call for the release of those detained.
Internet access for all needs to be completely restored, along with the human rights of those who have been detained. Iran must fulfil its obligations to international human rights law by respecting the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
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Who is MEP Phillip Bennion?
Phillip Bennion is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He sits as a Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands, having first replaced Liz Lynne after she stepped down in February 2012.
