U.S., EU Issue Rare Joint Statement Against Iranian Human Rights Abuses

[babylonsister]

http://washingtonindependent.com/76033/u-s-eu-issue-rare-joint-statement-against-iranian-human-rights-abuses

U.S., EU Issue Rare Joint Statement Against Iranian Human Rights Abuses
By Spencer Ackerman 2/8/10 10:25 AM

Fresh out:

The United States and the European Union condemn the continuing human rights violations in Iran since the June 12 election. The large scale detentions and mass trials, the threatened execution of protestors, the intimidation of family members of those detained and the continuing denial to its citizens of the right to peaceful expression are contrary to human rights norms.

Our concerns are based on our commitment to universal respect for human rights. We are particularly concerned by the potential for further violence and repression during the coming days, especially around the anniversary of the Islamic Republic’s founding on 11 February. We call on the Government of Iran to live up to its international human rights obligations, to end its abuses against its own people, to hold accountable those who have committed the abuses and to release those who are exercising their rights.

On a possibly related note, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, on foreign travel, is reiterating his call for sanctions against Iran for its renewed uranium enrichment.