Go to content

   We use cookies in order to ensure that you can get the best browsing
   experience possible on the Council website. Certain cookies are used to
   obtain aggregated statistics about website visits to help us constantly
   improve the site and better serve your needs. Other cookies are used to
   boost performance and guarantee security of the website.

   With your permission, we will use AT internet cookies to produce
   aggregated, anonymous data about our visitors' browsing and behaviour
   on our website. We will use this data to improve your experience on our
   website.

   To get more information about these cookies, how and why we use them
   and how you can change your settings, check our cookies policy page.

   European Council

   Council of the European Union




   < Menu Back
            More
            More
            More
            More
            More
            More
            More




Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the recent
protests in Iran

   Over the past weeks, many people all across Iran have exercised their
   fundamental right to assemble and expressed their economic grievances.
   A growing body of evidence indicates that despite repeated calls for
   restraint, the Iranian security forces’ disproportionate response to
   recent demonstrations has led to high numbers of deaths and injuries.
   For the European Union and its Member States, the widespread and
   disproportionate use of force against nonviolent protestors is
   unacceptable.

   We urge the Iranian authorities to ensure transparent and credible
   investigations to clarify the number of deaths and arrested, and to
   provide due process to all detainees. We expect all perpetrators of
   violence to be held accountable, and in line with statements by senior
   Iranian officials, all non-violent protestors currently held under
   arrest should be immediately freed.

   Iran’s decision to shut down internet access to global networks for
   over a week prevented communication and the free flow of information
   for Iranian citizens. This is a clear violation of the freedom of
   speech. Fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and assembly
   must always be respected. The Iranian authorities must live up to their
   international obligations, especially the International Covenant on
   Civil and Political Rights.

   The European Union addresses all issues of concern in its bilateral
   exchanges with Iran, including human rights, and will continue doing
   so.

   European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova,
   align themselves with this declaration.

   part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Press contacts

   Peter Stano
          Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

   Virginie Battu
          Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

   If you are not a journalist, please send your request to the public
   information service.

   Topics:

   Share Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this
   page on LinkedIn Copy the URL in your clipboard Copy the URL in your
   Subscribe to press releases
   Sending Request

   Subscription options

   Last reviewed on 20/12/2019

   Is there something wrong with this page?

   Is there something wrong with this page?

   European Council
   Council of the European Union
   Close

Tell us how we are doing!

   We want to hear your feedback about our website.

   This will help us improve your experience.

   Please take a few minutes to complete a survey at the end of your
   visit.
   No thanks Take survey (opens in a new window)

   About the secretariat

   Corporate policies

   Contact

   Email subscription

   Sign up to receive our email and SMS alerts
   Sign up

   About this site

   This website is the official website of the Council of the EU and the
   European Council. It is managed by the General Secretariat of the
   Council, the body of staff responsible for assisting the Council of the
   EU and the European Council.

   Follow us