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NCRI - The following is the text of a press release by the British
Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom calling on European Union foreign
policy chief, Ms. Federica Mogherini, to cancel her upcoming visit to Tehran in
light of the appalling human rights record of the mullahs' regime:
Press Release: British MPs urge EU Foreign policy chief to cancel
Iran visit amid execution spree
The British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom (BPCIF)
regrets the decision by EU Foreign policy chief, Ms Federica Mogherini, to
visit Iran on April 16, 2016.
The planned visit to Iran by Europe’s most senior official on
foreign affairs and similar travel by other European state officials is highly
inappropriate considering the regime's domestic repression and destructive
policies abroad.
During the “moderate” administration of Hassan Rouhani, nearly 1000
people were executed in Iran last year alone, including juveniles in violation
of international law. At least 47 journalists and social media activists were reportedly
detained in the country as of January 2016, according to reports by the UN
Special rapporteur for Iran and Amnesty international.
This is in addition to Tehran's destabilising actions and support
for terrorist groups in the region as well as pressing ahead with its missile
programme in clear defiance of the international community and regional
concerns.
The EU should not allow itself to be deceived by Rouhani's charm
offensive and his unfulfilled promises of “moderation” and instead pay close attention
to the bellicose rhetoric coming out of Tehran. The Iranian Supreme Leader, who
holds the ultimate power in the country, declared recently that “missiles, not
talks, are key to the regime's future” emphasising that “Those who say the
future is in negotiations, not in missiles, are either ignorant or traitors.”
