Allow Mahsa Amini's family to travel to France to collect award, EU lawmakers urge Iran

European Parliament members on Monday urged Iran to permit the family of Mahsa Amini, whose death in custody sparked worldwide outcry, to visit France in order to accept the EU’s top rights prize.

The mother, father, and brother of Amini were reportedly prevented from boarding a flight to Paris by Tehrani authorities seizing their passports, according to lawmakers.

“This restriction is aimed at silencing Jina Mahsa Amini’s family, preventing them from speaking out about the Islamic Republic’s outrageous repression of women’s rights, human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran,” AFP quoted 116 MEPs writing in a letter.

“We cannot tolerate this, the truth must not be silenced and the face of this incredible liberation movement should be shown to Europe and the world.”

MEPs have urged Iran to reverse its decision and permit Jina Mahsa Amini’s mother, father, and brother to travel to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday to accept the 2023 Sakharov Prize.

Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, passed away on 16 September, 2022, while in the custody of Iran’s religious police, accused of violating the strict dress code for women in the Islamic republic.

Her death prompted widespread protests in Iran and gave rise to the global movement “Woman, Life, Freedom,” advocating for an end to the clerical government in Tehran and its enforcement of headscarves for women.

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In October, the European Union honored Amini with the prestigious Sakharov Prize in recognition of the international demonstrations spurred by her tragic death.

Internally, Iranian security forces have suppressed the protests, resulting in hundreds of casualties, while dozens have been executed on charges of involvement in what authorities describe as “riots.”

With inputs from agencies