Schaake's questions on the case of Ayatollah Boroujerdi in Iran

On October 9, Member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake (D66/ALDE) submitted questions to High Representative Ashton on the case of Ayatollah Boroujerdi in Iran. Please find a plain text version and the official document below.

 The case of Ayatollah Boroujerdi in Iran
According to recent reports in Iranian media, Ayatollah Boroujerdi faces eminent threats in Iran, although these reports are difficult to verify given the lack of (media) freedom in Iran. [1]

The Shia cleric has called for a separation of religion and state.

Boroujerdi was arrested in 2006 and convicted one year later for ‘enmity with God’ and ‘spreading propaganda against the regime’.

Ayatollah Boroujerdi has accused the Supreme Leader of Iran of ‘extensive violation of human rights in Iran. 30 years ago the Iranian people were deceived into believing that the Islamic regime was going to be based on independence, freedom, republicanism, and piety. But now people no longer want to maintain this political system’.

Recently another individual, Amir Aslani, was executed for having a different interpretation of Islam than the Islamic Republic’s interpretation.

UN Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed concluded in his report that there is no improvement in the human rights situation in Iran, and counted 825 executions last year.

1) Can the HR/VP inquire about the whereabouts, sentence and health situation of Ayatollah Boroujerdi?

2) What concrete actions is the HR/VP undertaking to free political prisoners, and to improve the human rights situation in Iran?