Josep Borrell Fontelles the EU expressed condemnation of the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protesters during the November uprising- December 8, 2019

On Sunday, December 8th, High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles issued a declaration on behalf of the European Union expressing condemnation of the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protesters during the November uprising and demanding the immediate release of those who were arrested during the protests.

The newly appointed foreign policy chief for the E.U. stated that the regime’s “widespread and disproportionate use of force against nonviolent protesters” was “unacceptable” and led to high numbers of casualties.

The E.U.’s Declaration

The following is the declaration by High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles 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 express 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 protesters 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 protesters 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 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.

The November Uprising

The November uprising was triggered by the announcement of a gasoline price hike on November 15th. Protests began with anger over the mullahs’ greed and mismanagement of the country’s resources, and within hours calls were echoing throughout Iran for regime change. According to Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK) sources in Iran, the uprising spread to 190 cities throughout the country, and protesters in some areas gained control of entire districts and towns. The people are asking for the complete overthrow of the regime and its apparatus.

More than 1,000 protesters were killed by regime security forces during the uprising. The MEK has confirmed the names of 400 people so far. Another 4,000 people have been injured in the protests, and the MEK reports that 12,000 protesters have been arrested as of this writing.

National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) President-elect Maryam Rajavi called on the international community to take immediate action to end the Iranian regime’s crimes against humanity and to hold them accountable for their actions. She has also asked the United Nations to send a fact-finding mission to Iran to determine the extent of the regime’s crimes during the November uprising.