Iran's sanctions against Renew Europe MEPs prove we are doing the right thing

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament strongly condemns today’s decision by the Iranian government to impose sanctions on 34 individuals and entities from the European Union and Great Britain, including two of our MEPs, Abir Al-Sahlani and Bart Groothuis.

Our political group will not be silenced. We reiterate our call on the Council to strengthen sanctions against the regime and its officials, and designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

Reacting on the news, Renew Europe MEP, Abir Al-Sahlani (Centerpartiet, Sweden), said:

“This is proof that our clear messages of support for all the people in Iran who fight for their lives and freedom have been heard in Teheran. Until the people of Iran are free, we will not be silenced.”

Renew Europe MEP, Bart Groothuis (VVD, The Netherlands), Vice-Chair of the Delegation for relations with Iran, added:

“Iran's sanctions against me say everything about the Iranian regime. They oppress and kill their own population, but also carry out operations on European territory. They want me, as a democratically elected politician, to keep quiet about that. But I won’t. I stand with the brave Iranian people. It seems that politicians will be automatically put on a sanctions list by Iran. The world upside down.”