Verklaring EU-buitenlandchef Catherine Ashton over de mensenrechtensituatie in Iran (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 15 September 2011

Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on the human rights situation in Iran

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice President of the European Commission, made today the following statement:

"I remain deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Iran. Just over a year ago, human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, who is now serving an 11-year prison sentence, was arrested. The EU maintains its concerns about her case, which have not met with any convincing response when raised with the authorities. On the contrary, I am now informed of the recent arrest of Mr Abdolfattah Soltani, a prominent human rights defender and Ms. Sotoudeh's own lawyer. This illustrates the erosion of political and civil freedoms in Iran and is indicative of the increasingly difficult conditions for human rights activists in Iran. I welcome the release of Dr. Arash Alaei, an Aids doctor imprisoned since 2008, in connection with the end of Ramadan pardon. But I remain worried that, despite the overall release of 1200 prisoners, many are still detained on grounds which appear above all political.

The ongoing persecution of human rights lawyers and activists in Iran is in breach of the international obligations that Iran has itself signed up to. I therefore call on Iran to release them immediately and to allow them to exercise their rights freely."

PRESS

FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - Michael. Mann@eeas.europa.eu Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON @ec.europa.eu www.eeas.europa.eu