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Demonstrators clash with police in Tehran on September 21
Photo: STR/EPA
The European Union has condemned the violent crackdown on demonstrations critical of the regime in Iran.
"The widespread and disproportionate use of force against non-violent demonstrators is unjustifiable and unacceptable for the European Union and its member states," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday on behalf of the 27 member states.
At the same time, the EU threatened vaguely with possible sanctions against Iran.
Before the next meeting of foreign ministers, the EU will "examine all options available to it to respond to the assassination of Mahsa Amini and the manner in which the Iranian security forces have reacted to the subsequent demonstrations," it said.
People have the right to protest peacefully.
It is expected that Iran will stop the violent crackdown on the protests immediately.
Access to the Internet must also be guaranteed.
EU: "Disproportionate" reaction to demonstrations
Thousands of people took to the streets in Iran at the weekend against the Islamic system of rule and the systematic discrimination against women.
The trigger is the death of 22-year-old Iranian Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the vice squad for violating the strict Islamic dress code.
The EU statement also said an increasing number of reports indicated that Iranian security and police forces were reacting disproportionately to the demonstrations.
The EU demanded that Iran clarify the number of people killed and arrested, release all non-violent protesters and give due process to those detained.
Amini's death must be properly investigated and those responsible held accountable.
At the same time, counter-demonstrations against the system-critical protests of the past few days took place in the Iranian capital Tehran and several other cities on Sunday, according to media reports.
Thousands of people attended to condemn the ongoing protests by dissidents, state media reported.
Critics speak of staging
The participants also reportedly protested against the alleged handling of the Koran by some protesters.
The Iranian leadership accuses them of having burned several copies of the Koran.
This is classified as blasphemy in Iran and therefore a serious crime punishable by death.
Critics repeatedly accuse the government of staging counter-demonstrations during protests to emphasize the solidarity of the majority of people with the system.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about unconfirmed reports that the Iranian government may also be using Hezbollah militias from Lebanon to quell the protests.
ktz/dpa
