MEK Iran: French Foreign Minister Summons Regime’s Envoy over ‘Serious and Constant Violations’ of Human Rights

In a rare public rebuke of the Iranian regime, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced that more must be done about the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses. He specifically pointed to the escalation in human rights violations since the November 2019 Uprisings.

According to three sources with knowledge of the action, the French foreign ministry has also summoned the Iranian regime’s envoy to Paris to discuss “serious and constant violations.”

France rarely comments publicly on human rights in Iran, but on Sept. 22 Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said more needed to be done over what he said was worsening human rights violations in Iran following anti-government protests in 2019.#MEK #Iran https://t.co/UvDl8r0Qsd

— MEK Iran (Mujahedin-e Khalq) (@MEK_Iran) September 25, 2020

The Iranian regime is notorious for inhumane treatment of political prisoners and arbitrary detentions of dual nationals. When asked if French, German, and U.K. officials planned to warn Iran about potential consequences of this behavior, foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll was evasive.

“The French authorities regularly express their concerns about the serious and constant violations of human rights in Iran,” she said.

“These concerns are shared by many partners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.”

An unnamed source said that France, Germany, and the U.K. acted collectively in warning the Iranian regime that its behavior was harmful to diplomatic relations. The three countries have been among the most willing to preserve diplomatic ties with Tehran, so the scolding is noteworthy.

PARIS (Reuters) – France's foreign ministry this week summoned Iran's envoy over the country's human rights record, three sources aware of the matter said, signaling concern about what Paris calls "serious and constant violations".#MEK #Iran pic.twitter.com/lz1qGcknWP

— MEK Iran (Mujahedin-e Khalq) (@MEK_Iran) September 25, 2020

German Statement to U.N.

On Friday, Germany released its own statement on Iran to the U.N. Human Rights Council. The statement, which was written on behalf of 47 countries, expressed deep concern about ongoing human rights abuses in Iran.

It read: “We remain deeply concerned about the persistent human rights violations in Iran especially related to the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

“Credible reports of arbitrary detentions, unfair trials, forced confessions and practices of torture and ill-treatment of detainees in the context of the recent protests are particularly concerning.”

Separately, Germany on Friday issued a critical statement on Iran to the United Nations Human Rights Council on behalf of 47 countries, while U.N. rights experts demanded Tehran release imprisoned prominent rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh for medical treatment.#MEK #Iran pic.twitter.com/6IdV6Bap4t

— MEK Iran (Mujahedin-e Khalq) (@MEK_Iran) September 25, 2020

A Worsening Situation

More than 1,500 protesters were killed by regime security forces and another 12,000 were arrested during the November 2019 Uprisings, according to widely-acknowledged the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran) sources. Many of those who were arrested still languish in Iranian prisons and are subject to torture, lack of access to medical care, and possible execution.

The November anti-regime Uprisings were unprecedented in Iran in their size and strength. The government has cracked down on protesters and political dissidents, particularly MEK members, since the uprisings, in a vain attempt to prevent future rebellions.

On September 12, the Iranian regime executed champion wrestler Navid Afkari. The 27-year-old political prisoner was arrested for participating in mass protests in Shiraz in 2018 and convicted of killing a municipal employee in a sham trial. Despite an international outcry from athletes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), numerous human rights organizations, and world leaders, Afkari was hanged as an example to the youth of Iran who is at the center of the country’s Resistance Movement.

#NavidAfkari said in one of his last messages that he is fighting against the most ruthless adversary in human history.And there is no doubt that it will be toppled as a result of the struggle &uprisings of the courageous youths and the great Army of Freedom #StopExecutionsinIran pic.twitter.com/ilmMuXxnue

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) September 19, 2020

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), challenged the regime’s assumption in a tweet the same day, writing:

“The mullahs’ criminal regime hanged Navid Afkari this morning. The people of Iran and its brave youth will not remain silent against the cowardly execution of this courageous son of Shiraz. They will rise in solidarity with the heroic people of Fars.”

The execution backfired again on the following day when Germany cancelled a planned visit from regime Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in response to the execution.

The Iranian Regime’s Response

Regime Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh responded to the summons with a statement condemning Western meddling in Iran’s domestic affairs.

“Iran believes the politically motivated behavior and selective moves of the U.S. and certain European governments have always dealt the heaviest blow to the principle of human rights,” his statement read.

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