AFP: Iran is to halt its human rights dialogue with the
European Union after the bloc condemned what it described
as continued abuses by the Islamic regime, foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in comments published Thursday. TEHRAN, Dec 22 (AFP) – Iran is to halt its human rights dialogue with the European Union after the bloc condemned what it described as continued abuses by the Islamic regime, foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in comments published Thursday.
“During the current year, the EU has put forward human rights resolutions with political intentions, and naturally this trend will leave no place for Iran to continue human rights talks,” Iranian media quoted Asefi as saying.
He said Iran backed the idea of a dialogue in principle but had warned the EU it was not prepared to continue the talks under such conditions.
“In principle, Iran welcomes talks and cooperation based on mutual respect,” he said.
“Their unconstructive approach has surfaced their true intentions and it is clear that they will bear the consequences.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not allow other countries to meddle in its internal affairs.”
On Tuesday, in a statement issued by the British presidency, the 25-member bloc condemned Iran for continued human rights abuses and said greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms was essential to improve relations between the EU and the Islamic republic.
“The EU is deeply concerned that the human rights situation in Iran has not improved in any significant respect in recent years, and in many respects has worsened,” the statement said.
The EU began a human rights dialogue talks with Iran in 2002 but has voiced disappointment at the lack of progress and the fact that Tehran has agreed to no new talks since 2004.
