Petition addressed to: Deutscher Bundestag Petitionsausschuss

Germany has committed itself internationally to the protection of human rights and the prosecution of the most serious crimes. Through the principle of universal jurisdiction in German law, it is possible to investigate the most serious international crimes regardless of where they were committed.

This instrument has already been used to secure evidence of crimes related to the Syrian civil war and to document possible war crimes in connection with the attack on Ukraine.

Against this background, many people find it difficult to understand why a request by around 70 German-Iranian public figures to the Federal Public Prosecutor General to document possible crimes of the Iranian regime was rejected.

The documentation of possible international crimes does not constitute a presumption of guilt. It is a tool to secure evidence, support victims, and prepare for possible future legal proceedings under the rule of law.

If Germany claims to strengthen international justice, this principle should be applied universally.

We therefore call for:

• A reconsideration of the rejection of this request by the Federal Public Prosecutor General.

• Transparency regarding the legal reasons for this decision.

• An examination of whether structural investigations can be initiated to document possible international crimes in Iran.

Human rights are universal. The investigation of serious crimes must not be selective.