Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Before Iranian television announced on Wednesday that authorities would respond "decisively" to demonstrations if they destabilized the country

The European Union has expressed its deep concern over the Iranian authorities' widespread use of arbitrary arrests to suppress critical voices within the country, in violation of Iran's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This was stated in a press release issued in Brussels by the office of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The statement added, "We call on the Iranian authorities to release all individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. This includes Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, whose health remains fragile, as well as other human rights defenders arrested on December 12 in Mashhad. Human rights defenders must be able to make their voices heard and carry out their legitimate work without jeopardizing their freedom, in Iran as anywhere else."