Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle today (28 December) issued the following statement:

”I categorically condemn the brutal tactics used by the security forces against protesters in Iran. Once again lives have been lost and many people injured.

I call upon Tehran’s leaders to do everything possible to prevent any further escalation of the situation and put a stop to the violence. Iran must live up to its obligations to protect its citizens’ civil and political rights. The international community is not going to look away, it is keeping a close watch on developments.“

Iran has signed and ratified the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.