Question for written answerP-004341-18to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)Rule 130Pavel Telička(ALDE)(27 August 2018)Subject: VP/HR — Aid package for Iran

On 23 August, the Commission adopted a EUR 18 million package for projects in the Islamic Republic of Iran — the first part of a wider package of EUR 50 million. Given the current international context, this decision confirms the EU’s commitment to the Iran nuclear deal, which I by no means question.

However, one cannot ignore the fact that there has been no improvement in the human rights situation in the country: human rights lawyers, including Sakharov Prize recipient Nasrin Sotoudeh, have been detained; executions continue at a high rate; freedom of speech is being suppressed through the targeting of journalists, activists and human rights defenders. In view of this, I would like to ask the VP/HR the following:

1.

The Commission has announced that the beneficiaries of the package will be Iranian SMEs, selected value chains and Iran’s Trade Promotion Organisation. Given that the Iranian authorities are responsible for these, will they have a role in the process, and if so what kind of role, or will the Commission distribute the aid to the beneficiaries directly?

2.

What are the conditions for the package’s disbursement?

3.

How will the Commission use the package with regard to the human rights situation in Iran?