Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the confirmation of the death sentence against Jamshid Sharmahd by Iranian court

The European Union calls upon Iran to refrain from executing the death penalty on Mr Sharmahd, repeal his sentence and ensure Mr Sharmahd be provided the basic rights to which he is entitled under International Law without delay.

Mr Sharmahd has been detained since 2020. Throughout his time in detention, Mr Sharmahd has not had access to a lawyer of his choice. Also, Iranian authorities have denied consular access to Mr Sharmahd, despite his German nationality.

The death penalty violates the inalienable right to life enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

The European Union calls on Iran to refrain from any executions, to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment and to strictly abide by its international obligations, in particular under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to which Iran is a party.

Recalling the Council conclusions of December 2022 and the statement of the High Representative on behalf of the European Union of 20 February 2020, the European Union reiterates its deep concern about the situation of EU and dual EU-Iranian nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran, especially those who received a death sentence.

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