Australia, Canada and EU condemn Iran’s response to protests
Foreign ministers from Australia, Canada and the European Union issued a joint statement on Saturday praising Iranian protesters and condemning the authorities’ actions.
“We commend the bravery of the Iranian people as they stand up for their dignity and their fundamental right to peaceful protest,” the ministers said. They also condemned the killing of protesters, violence, arbitrary arrests and intimidation by the authorities against civilians.
The statement urged Iran to immediately end the use of lethal force by its security bodies, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Basij. Iranian authorities, it added, bear responsibility for protecting freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal.
