The European Parliament has the power to approve regulations and directives as well as non-binding resolutions, which it uses to advocate its themes and pressure the European Commission, EU member states, or non-European regimes. However, even among MEPs, there is disagreement about the real impact of these resolutions. One recent resolution condemned the Iranian regime for its systematic use of arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings, and the death penalty as tools of repression, and called for the immediate abolition of the death penalty.

In addition to legislative work, MEPs are often engaged in creating what are known as 'own-initiative resolutions', where they express their views on current issues. These resolutions typically serve as appeals to other EU institutions or specific states, encouraging them to take action or change their policies. The focus is not only on foreign affairs but has recently included calls for the EU to formulate a new strategy against various pressing global issues.

This ongoing debate illustrates a broader concern regarding the effectiveness of the European Parliament in addressing significant issues versus simply producing statements that may lack practical influence. As MEPs continue to navigate their roles, the question remains whether these resolutions will lead to tangible changes or merely serve as expressions of opinion without real-world consequences.