The debate on the escalating tensions in the Middle East must remain grounded in the reality of the Iranian regime and its record of repression, terrorism and destabilisation, ECR Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki told the European Parliament during a plenary debate ahead of the European Council on 19–20 March.

For Jaki, discussions in the European Parliament should not overlook the scale of human rights abuses carried out by the Iranian regime, including the violent suppression of protests, mass arrests and executions.

Jaki said:

“Listening to some of the speeches here today, I have the impression that hatred of the United States has obscured the facts for some about what Iran actually is. Especially in the context of the values that we supposedly want to defend in this House, so let us recall them.”

“Iran has been responsible for the mass killing of protesters since 2019, since the so-called Bloody November, when live ammunition was used against 1,500 protesters. This was one of the largest mass killings of the 21st century.”

“There is also the sponsorship of terrorism, the financing of Russia, drones and missiles — everything that is killing people today in Ukraine. So I will not shed tears for Iran, and I recommend that you do not either.”

Jaki also addressed the economic consequences of current geopolitical tensions, warning that European energy policy must not further increase the burden on citizens and businesses.

“And finally, energy costs. There is no justification today — with the Easter holidays approaching — for continuing to maintain the ETS system. This system simply has to be suspended.”

Jaki’s full speech reads:

Listening to some of the speeches here today, I have the impression that hatred of the United States has obscured the facts for some about what Iran actually is. Especially in the context of the values that we supposedly want to defend in this House, so let us recall them.

Iran has been responsible for the mass killing of protesters since 2019, since the so-called Bloody November, when live ammunition was used against 1,500 protesters. This was one of the largest mass killings of the 21st century.

Then there were the protests after the death of Mahsa Amini, who died after being beaten by the morality police for improperly wearing a hijab. During those protests, 551 demonstrators were killed, including 68 children and 49 women, and 20,000 people were arrested. Even more were injured.

In 2024, Iran carried out 975 executions. A large number of protesters were accused of “enmity against God”. Some were tried without access to a lawyer and under torture, including the execution of minors who opposed this regime.

In 2026, the organisations you often refer to reported more than 53,000 detainees, with forced confessions, beatings and electric shocks. In addition, there is the regular persecution of women for not wearing the hijab, violence by the morality police, and so on.

There is also the sponsorship of terrorism, the financing of Russia, drones and missiles — everything that is killing people today in Ukraine. So I will not shed tears for Iran, and I recommend that you do not either.

And finally, energy costs. There is no justification today — with the Easter holidays approaching — for continuing to maintain the ETS system. This system simply has to be suspended.

This system has led to some of the most expensive energy in the world. You know that since the ETS was introduced energy prices in Europe have risen by 80%, and yet you still want to defend this system.

Stop ETS.