Last Updated: Monday, 28 May 2012, 13:06 GMT  
Title Iran protest crackdown condemned
Publisher Amnesty International
Country Islamic Republic of Iran
Publication Date 14 February 2011
Cite as Amnesty International, Iran protest crackdown condemned, 14 February 2011, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4d620ee71d.html [accessed 29 May 2012]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Iran protest crackdown condemned

Amnesty International has condemned the Iranian authorities for breaking up an apparently peaceful march held in Tehran in support of Egyptian and Tunisian protests.  Protests were also reportedly held in other cities across Iran, such as Esfahan, Shiraz and Kermanshah.

Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi were placed under house arrest by the authorities ahead of the protests on Monday. 

"Iranians have a right to gather to peacefully express their support for the people of Egypt and Tunisia.  While the authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order, this should be no excuse to ban and disperse protests by those who choose to exercise that right," said Hassiba Hadj-Sahraoui, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

"This crackdown is the latest in a series of moves by the authorities aimed at blocking the work of activists and stifling dissent."

The march comes amid a wave of pre-emptive arrests of political and other activists over the past several days.

Topics: Arbitrary arrest and detention, Freedom of speech, Freedom of expression, Freedom of association, Freedom of assembly,

Copyright notice: © Copyright Amnesty International

Region maps Americas Africa Europe Asia Oceania
Page generated in 0.021 seconds