France Passes Resolution Targeting Iran’s IRGC: Implications and Future Steps

On January 29, 2025, France condemned the Iranian regime’s human rights violations, urging the EU to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The resolution aims to curb the IRGC’s oppressive activities and enhance security for vulnerable communities. AJC praised the move, calling for broader action from the EU to address these threats already recognized by the U.S. since 2019.

On January 29, 2025, the French Parliament passed a resolution condemning the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses and calling for the European Union to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces as terrorist entities. The resolution highlights severe violations of human rights in Iran, particularly the oppressive application of the death penalty, and severe discrimination against women, which restricts their freedoms and livelihoods.

The IRGC serves as a fundamentalist military force in Iran, engaging in egregious human rights abuses and supporting the nation’s missile and nuclear programs. Additionally, it aids radical groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, playing a crucial role in the Iranian regime’s domestic suppression of dissent and being implicated in missile attacks against Israelis.

The significance of the French resolution lies in its potential to catalyze a broader EU movement towards designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization, which would lead to asset freezes and prohibitions on operations within the EU. This designation would represent a substantial setback for both the IRGC and the Iranian regime, given the group’s history of targeting dissidents and the Jewish community in Europe.

The measure was introduced by Member of Parliament Constance Le Grip, who received support from AJC Paris. Le Grip is an alumna of the AJC Project Interchange, which fosters understanding and cooperation between global policymakers and Israel’s leadership. She is also involved in AJC’s Transatlantic Friends of Israel initiative, indicating her dedication to the security relations forged by past leaders.

AJC CEO Ted Deutch praised the resolution, calling it a decisive action. He emphasized that the IRGC is not merely a regional threat, but part of a larger global terror network, supplying arms to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and contributing to instability throughout the Middle East. He urged the EU to officially classify the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

In conclusion, AJC is advocating for the European Union and other nations to formally designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Their continued efforts aim to enhance the protection of Jewish communities in Europe and counter Iran’s threatening behaviors in the Middle East, echoing the sentiments articulated by various leaders in the ongoing dialogue about global terrorism and security.

The French Parliament’s resolution condemning human rights abuses in Iran and urging the EU to classify the IRGC as a terrorist organization is a pivotal development. It aims to address Iran’s systematic violations of human rights while potentially impeding the operations of the IRGC. Advocacy from organizations like AJC underscores the urgency of collective international action against the threats posed by the IRGC and similar entities.

Original Source: www.ajc.org