France Moves to Designate Iran’s IRGC as a Terrorist Organization

On January 29, 2025, the French Parliament condemned human rights abuses in Iran and called for the IRGC to be labeled as a terrorist organization by the EU. The resolution aims to restrict the IRGC’s operations following its history of human rights violations and support for terrorism. AJC has played a vital role in advocating for this designation.

On January 29, 2025, the French Parliament passed a resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran and called on the European Union to categorize Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces as terrorist organizations. The resolution highlights Iran’s use of the death penalty as a tool of repression, alongside state-sponsored violence against women and children, and discrimination that severely restricts women’s freedoms and rights to livelihood.

The IRGC, tasked with upholding the Iranian regime, is known for its human rights abuses and its involvement in supporting illicit missile and nuclear programs. Furthermore, the group provides backing to terrorist entities such as Hezbollah and Hamas, playing a critical role in the Iranian regime’s torture of its citizens, evidenced by its notable missile attacks against Israelis in 2024.

The significance of the French resolution lies in its potential to enhance support from the European Union for designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Such designation would result in asset freezes and prohibit the IRGC from operating within the EU, thereby hampering its recruitment and fundraising efforts. This would impact not only the IRGC but also the Iranian regime, which primarily targets dissidents and the Jewish community in Europe.

The resolution was brought forth by Constance Le Grip, a member of the French Parliament and supporter of various transatlantic cooperative initiatives. It was also amplified by the backing of American Jewish Committee (AJC) Paris. Le Grip’s commitment exemplifies bipartisan support for addressing these critical issues regarding Iran’s actions.

Ted Deutch, the CEO of AJC, welcomed the resolution as a crucial step. He remarked, “Glad to see the French Parliament vote in favor of placing the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the European terrorist list.” Deutch emphasized that AJC has long championed this initiative, highlighting the IRGC’s threats not only to Jewish communities but also as a pillar of a global terrorism network.

Looking ahead, AJC is urging the EU and other nations to follow France’s lead and officially designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Throughout the past year, AJC has actively supported efforts in Congress that promote measures aimed at protecting Jewish communities in Europe and countering the destabilizing actions of Iran in the Middle East.

In conclusion, the recent French Parliament resolution condemns Iran’s human rights abuses and advocates for the classification of the IRGC as a terrorist entity. The proposed designation would significantly impede the IRGC’s operations in Europe, reflecting a shift towards more stringent actions against Iranian terrorism. Additionally, this move encourages broader international support for similar actions in the EU and beyond, highlighting the ongoing advocacy of organizations such as AJC.

Original Source: www.ajc.org