A controversial visit of a delegation of European Parliament members to Iran has been canceled amid concerns about the situation of human rights in this country.
"The visit of the Bureau of the Delegation for Relations with Iran of the European Parliament to Iran on 2-6 May has been postponed as it has proved impossible for the Majlis (the Iranian parliament) to receive the delegation from the European Parliament on the dates proposed. Alternative dates are being sought," says a statement from Finnish Green MEP Tarja Cronberg, who heads the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Iran.
The three-member delegation led by Cronberg was scheduled to visit Tehran from 26 April to 7 May.
Last year, the delegation cancelled a similar visit at the last minute after the Iranian regime refused a condition that MEPs be permitted to meet with ttwo Iranian human rights advocates - lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and filmmaker Jafar Panahi - who were awarded the European Parliament's annual Sakharov prize for freedom of thought, and give them their prize.
That trip was cancelled only hours before the delegation was departing from the airport, when the Iranian authorities announced they could not guarantee the conditions would be met.
This time, the European Parliament had dropped the requirement to meet with the two winners, allowing the visit to take place without the meeting, before the eventual cancelation.
Another attempt to send an MEP delegation to Iran in 2011 was stopped when Iran refused to revoke the death sentencing by stoning of the 42-year-old Sakineh Ashtiani.
The European Parliament has been criticized after it reversed its earlier refusal to send a delegation of MEPs to Iran.
At a meeting last Thursday of the European parliament's conference of presidents, Parliament President Martin Schulz and the political groups leaders, approved this week's trip despite opposition from centre-right groups.
At the meeting, Guy Verhofstadt, President of the ALDE Liberal group agreed with the Social Democrat group's opinion that the delegation should go ahead, while Joseph Daul, leader of the centre-right Christian-Democrat EPP, and ECR (made of British Conservatives) leader Martin Callanan opposed the idea.
"The purpose of these delegations is to take up contacts with both government MPs and opposition," said Verhofstadt, adding : "I trust that this time the Iranian authorities will ensure that our members have access to the Sakharov winners and to opposition representatives."
Callanan said the decision "sent mixed signals about our resolve towards the regime", adding, "Parliament is making a profound mistake."
"We cannot send mixed signals to Tehran about our resolve to tackle Iran's nuclear programme and our disgust at its human rights record. We need to stand united and allow relations to be handled through those with experience.
"This visit will be abused by the Iranian authorities for their own propaganda. We should not hand them opportunities.
"The mostly left-wing MEPs on this visit seem to think they will be able to talk the government around into stopping its nuclear programme and improving human rights. Whilst I do not doubt their commitment, they are being utterly naïve."
Christian-Democrat MEP Potito Salatto, who is Vice Chairman of the European Parliament’s delegation for Relations with Iran had stated earlier that he would not participate in the visit.
He said the visit was '' inappropriate'' and "could give the regime a chance" to claim that it is breaking the international isolation especially on the eve of elections in the country.
The American Jewish Congress Transatlantic Institute welcomed the cancellation of this week’s trip. “While we welcome the cancellation of this trip, the simple fact is it should never have been considered in the first place,” said Daniel Schwammenthal, Director of the Brussels-based organization.
“The mere suggestion of a desire to visit Iran only emboldens its repressive leadership and weakens those struggling for freedom. That is counter to the mission and values of the European Parliament, » he added.
“The grave human rights situation in Iran requires a strong, united response from the European Union, not photo-ops with the repressors themselves,” he argued.