The launch of this report is timely: we have all been watching with concern the aftermath to the election in Iran. We have said repeatedly that we do not want to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs: it is for Iranians to decide who should govern them. But with our EU partners we have condemned the arrest and detention of peaceful demonstrators and journalists. People everywhere in the world have the right to express their views freely and peacefully. We must continue to speak out when we see such tragic events, particularly given that Iran’s human rights record is a cause for concern to us all.
