The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, together with 32 countries, issued a joint statement on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, sharply condemning the execution of protesters and the Islamic Republic’s continued use of the death penalty.
The statement declares that the use of capital punishment to silence protest, instill fear within society, and punish individuals for exercising their fundamental rights can never be justified under any circumstances. The signatories have emphasized that the people of Iran must be able to enjoy the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of punishment.
The European Union and the signatory countries have called on the Islamic Republic to immediately halt the implementation of the death penalty and to release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained. They have likewise called on Iranian authorities to listen to the voice of the people demanding change and to take practical and effective measures to ensure respect for human rights.
The statement was initially issued with the backing of 26 countries, but as additional countries joined, the number of signatories rose to 32. Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and New Zealand are among the signatories to this statement. The full text of the statement has been published on the official website of Global Affairs Canada.