Human Rights Watch: Iran--Reformist Newspapers Muzzled Before Election

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From Human Rights Watch
Dated Thursday February 19

Iran: Reformist Newspapers Muzzled Before Election

Iran's judiciary should immediately reverse its order closing the last two newspapers associated with the country's reformers, Human Rights Watch said today. Chief Prosecutor Said Mortazavi yesterday ordered the closure of Sharq and Yas-e Nau ahead of parliamentary elections on February 20.
"These closures mark the final blow in the campaign against the reformist press in Iran," said Joe Stork, acting executive director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch. "The judiciary, which should protect basic rights like free expression, has again taken the lead in violating those rights."

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1. BBC (Feb 23): EU criticises Iranian elections

From the BBC Online
Dated Monday February 23 13:47 GMT (5:47 am PST)

EU criticises Iranian elections

The European Union has criticised the recent parliamentary elections in Iran as a "setback for democracy".
An EU spokesman, Diego de Ojeda, told reporters it was clear that the elections had not been held according to international standards.
UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said the "flawed" polls would have an impact on EU trade talks with Iran.
The international criticism comes in the wake of an ongoing dispute in Iran over the number of people who voted.

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