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Human Rights Commissioner Löning criticizes treatment of Iranian opposition
Commenting on the treatment of members of the opposition in Iran, Markus Löning, the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office, today (25 February) issued the following statement in Berlin:
“We are profoundly concerned at news of the continuing restrictions on the freedom of opinion and freedom to demonstrate of Iranian citizens, particularly representatives of the opposition. The leadership in Tehran must respect and protect these rights and immediately release all political prisoners.
I am especially concerned at news of the treatment meted out to Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. The Iranian leadership is called upon to guarantee the physical integrity of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and not to take any further action against them.
Restrictions on freedom of opinion, the use of violence against demonstrators and arbitrary arrests are intolerable. And they will do nothing to halt the dynamic move towards freedom in the region.”
Ever since Mousavi and Karroubi called for a demonstration of solidarity with the people of Egypt and Tunisia, the repression against the opposition has again escalated. Sources close to the opposition report that the security forces have raided and ransacked the Karroubi family’s homes. In addition, media sources critical of the government claim that the fate and whereabouts of Karroubi and his wife have been unknown for days.
