The European Parliament raises concerns over human rights situations in Iran, Afghanistan, and Indonesia.

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On May 21, 2026, the European Parliament adopted a series of resolutions addressing the human rights situations in Iran, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. Legislative documentation from the European Parliament indicates that lawmakers focused on serious restrictions on fundamental freedoms, particularly examining how escalating limitations affect civic space and the safety of human rights defenders. This legislative package aimed to increase political attention and encourage closer alignment with established international human rights standards. European representatives utilized these formal texts to support international monitoring initiatives, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and advocate for fundamental rights through established political and diplomatic channels. These measures underscore the European Union’s institutional policy of engaging with human rights issues beyond its borders, focusing on the strategic defence of civil society through sustained multilateral cooperation while promoting universal human rights principles across diverse diplomatic environments.

The specific dynamics of these situations depend heavily on the political, legal and social context of each nation, meaning that the nature of the violations and the actors involved vary across regions. In Iran, the parliamentary text prioritizes issues related to the continued use of the death penalty, highlighting severe crackdowns on public protests alongside widespread restrictions on civil liberties. The European Parliament called for expanded sanctions against Iranian officials responsible for repression, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and entities linked to the Supreme Leader. Human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have long documented arbitrary detentions, concerns regarding judicial procedures, restrictions on freedom of expression and serious challenges regarding fair trial guarantees within the domestic legal system. These documented situations have contributed to continued international attention regarding legal procedures and the protection of civic space. In Afghanistan, the focus centres on policies introduced by the Taliban authorities that severely restrict women’s and girls’ access to public life. The resolution condemns the Taliban authorities’ adoption of the Criminal Procedure Code for Courts, which, according to the European Parliament, contributes to the systematic persecution of women and girls, including severe restrictions on fundamental rights and the use of corporal punishment. These systematic exclusions remain under close observation by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which monitors and reports on human rights conditions in the country. The resolution concerning Indonesia addresses the cases of human rights and environmental defenders Andrie Yunus and Muhammad Rosidi, highlighting reported attacks against activists and the protection of civic space. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that civil society actors can operate without intimidation or physical threats, an issue monitored by organizations documenting the situation of human rights defenders in Indonesia.

Diverse international bodies and local actors continue to advocate for structural responses to these human rights concerns while maintaining formal diplomatic channels. The European Parliament called for stronger European Union action against specific individuals and entities linked to serious human rights situations in Iran, urging local authorities to respect international legal obligations and fundamental rights. Regarding Afghanistan, lawmakers emphasized the need for continued international monitoring, accountability mechanisms, and sustained diplomatic oversight, calling for the protection of women’s and girls’ rights alongside the reversal of policies restricting their participation in society. For Indonesia, European representatives highlighted the importance of transparent investigations into attacks against activists and stronger safeguards for human rights defenders and civil society organizations to foster a secure operational environment. These measures demonstrate the role of regional organizations in addressing human rights challenges and supporting international efforts to protect vulnerable communities in accordance with principles established by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By maintaining focused global attention, European lawmakers seek to ensure that international legal duties are respected, supporting efforts to protect fundamental freedoms and human dignity.

written by Ilenia Perreca