On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the Lithuanian Parliament, Seimas, passed a unanimous resolution designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. With all 60 members voting in favor and no abstentions or opposition, the Seimas declared that “the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organization and its activities pose a threat to international security and stability.”
The resolution strongly condemns the IRGC’s actions, including its involvement in human rights abuses since the 1979 revolution. It highlights the regime’s systematic repression of women and the Iranian population, pointing to the crackdown on protests in 2022. The document also calls out Iran for its policy of hostage-taking, noting that “Iran and Russia systemically take third-country nationals as hostages and raise political demands for their governments”.
This move by Lithuania follows increasing calls from Iranians for the European Union (EU) to officially label the IRGC as a terrorist organization. In recent years, particularly following widespread protests and human rights violations by the Iranian regime, there has been growing pressure on the EU to take a firm stance.
In April, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging the EU to include the IRGC on its list of terrorist entities, citing the organization’s involvement in human rights abuses and external destabilization efforts. Despite this, the EU has yet to take definitive action, with many continuing to call for stronger measures against the IRGC.
The Lithuanian Parliament’s call reflects growing international pressure on bodies like the European Union to follow the example of the United States and Canada, both of which have already designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization. This parliamentary resolution adds momentum to the global movement pushing for the IRGC to face international consequences for its actions. Many advocates argue that the IRGC’s role in human rights abuses, repression of protests, and support for terrorist groups necessitates stronger international action to hold the organization accountable.