Iran: EU’s Ashton Calls For Release Of Mousavi, Karroubi

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the routine repression of the political opposition and civil society in Iran and called for the release of imprisoned Green Movement leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi and urged the Iranian regime to “respect the right to freedom of movement, and communication, of all those held in arbitrary detention or under house arrest.”

In her statement the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission also expressed her concern about the treatment of Karroubi and Mousavi while in detention.

Statement by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on the treatment of opposition groups in Iran, and the situations of Mir Hossein Mossavi and Mehdi Karroubi:

“I remain very concerned about the treatment of Mr Mehdi Karroubi and Mr Mir Hossein Moussavi. It remains unclear – despite efforts to secure verifiable information – whether they are under house arrest or otherwise imprisoned. I urge the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran simply to grant them the freedom of movement to which they have a right.

I further condemn the unacceptable repression to which representatives of many political and civil society groups in Iran are now routinely subjected, and calls on the Iranian authorities to respect the right to freedom of movement, and communication, of all those held in arbitrary detention or under house arrest.

In conformity with its international obligations, notably those under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Iran has freely ratified, Iran has the same duty as every other state-party to respect the fundamental rights of all its citizens.”