Norway condemns mass arrests in Iran

“Norway is following the serious developments in Iran with concern. We condemn the mass arrests and the brutal treatment of peaceful protesters, which has led to the loss of many lives in the past week. We also condemn the restrictions the authorities have imposed on foreign journalists, which have effectively banned them from carrying out their work ,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. 

“Freedom of assembly and expression are key human rights that Iran has undertaken to respect. I urge the Iranian authorities to free dissidents, human rights defenders and the many people who have been arrested,” said Mr Støre.  

Foreign Minister Støre has regularly commented on the situation in Iran since the day following the election. On 16 June, Iran’s Ambassador to Norway was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was informed of Norway’s views.  

“The allegations of irregularities in connection with the presidential election, which have been put forward from many quarters, call into question the legitimacy of the election, and by extension the legitimacy of the Iranian leadership,” said the Foreign Minister.

“At the same time we must avoid commenting on the situation in Iran in a way that fits in with the regime’s propaganda that foreign interests are behind the unrest. These claims are groundless. The fact is that large segments of the Iranian population are now expressing their views,” the Foreign Minister concluded.