On Tuesday, July 7, the Sala Europa of the European Parliament in Rome hosted a conference titled “Iran, Afghanistan, Human Rights, and the Role of the European Union.” Organized by the ICPE, the meeting served as a moment of profound reflection on two of the most critical global theaters of conflict, where fundamental freedoms are under daily assault. The event aimed to shine a spotlight on the grave human rights situation in Iran and Afghanistan. In both contexts, the erosion of democratic space—characterized by the systematic repression of dissent and a particular targeting of women—poses urgent questions for the international community. In Iran, the situation is defined by unprecedented internal repression. Despite international pressure, 2026 began with one of the highest execution rates in decades. As noted by Parisa Nazari, the government utilizes these actions as tools of social and political control against any who dare to dissent, with special cruelty directed toward women and gender equality movements. The current climate of tension, exacerbated by a government rhetoric increasingly hostile toward the West—accusing Europe of hypocrisy and indifference—makes a clear stance from European institutions indispensable. In Afghanistan, the crisis has escalated into a systemic humanitarian emergency. Since August 2024, the tightening of “Virtue Laws” has drastically curtailed the lives of women and girls, rendering access to education and employment almost non-existent. With over 22 million people in urgent need of assistance and an international community at risk of normalizing this forced exclusion, the debate in Rome sought to break the “dangerous silence” surrounding the Afghan issue.
The meeting took place at a diplomatic turning point. As European institutions relaunch these issues in multilateral forums—as confirmed in the recent priorities of the EU Council—the conference addressed the need to translate these intentions into tangible political pressure. This was more than an analytical session; it was a rallying cry. Faced with a system that uses Western indifference as an alibi, the European Union is called upon to demonstrate, through concrete strategies, that it has not abandoned the human rights defenders on the front lines. At a time when global crises threaten to overshadow regional emergencies, the conference reaffirmed that respect for these values is not an option, but a prerequisite for any geopolitical stability. As a democratic bastion, the EU has a duty to act as a diplomatic actor capable of actively promoting female empowerment and the protection of inviolable rights. The heart of the debate underscored the urgent need to restore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the center of the agenda. Moderated by ICPE Secretary General Gianni Lattanzio, the proceedings highlighted the necessity of moving beyond mere observation. The appeal launched by the conference was unequivocal: the European Union must adopt a significantly more incisive foreign policy. The time for mere statements of intent has passed; the moment calls for courageous diplomatic action translated into concrete strategies to support civil society.
The complexity of the situation was articulated by a panel of institutional figures, experts, and direct witnesses, whose contributions transformed the debate into a vivid analysis of daily challenges. Key participants, including Parisa Nazari, Zahra Toufigh, Giorgia Pietropaoli, Paola Perisi, Hafiza Madiyar, Safiyeh Saljughi, and Morteza Khaleghi, brought the harsh realities experienced on the ground to the table. As Zahra Toufigh emphasized during her address: “We can no longer afford a silence that sounds like complicity: Afghan and Iranian women are not just asking for solidarity; they are demanding binding diplomatic actions.” The conference underscored that responsibilities toward Iran and Afghanistan cannot be delegated. The event promoted by the ICPE has charted a clear course: protecting those who fight for their rights in repressive contexts must return to being the absolute priority of the European agenda, transforming indignation into a coordinated strategy for defending universal values.
Held at Piazza Venezia 11, the event confirmed Rome’s role as a hub for discussions on civil rights, reaffirming the importance of constant dialogue between European institutions and civil society organizations.
