Germany criticizes Iranian regime on human rights

The German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Wednesday sharply criticized Iranian regime and said he was opposed to its bid for a seat on the United Nations' Human Rights Council.

Westerwelle made the remarks in Geneva, where he addressed the 47- state council. Voting for the rotating seats on the council is scheduled for May.

"This Council cannot and must not ignore the violent crackdown on demonstrations, the suppression of opinion, and the intolerable disregard for other fundamental human rights. The persecuted human rights defenders, journalists, women and trade unionists, members of religious minorities and many other ordinary citizens are merely asserting the rights they are guaranteed by the Iranian constitution. They demand that Iran meets the obligations it has accepted as legally binding under international agreements. They all should know that we stand firmly by their side," he said.

"A few days ago, the Iranian government made it clear here in Geneva that it does not intend to comply with international human rights standards. I deeply regret this development," he added.
The German Foreign Minister said that: "If Iran rejects international human rights standards and then seeks to become a member of the Human Rights Council, this is an affront to all the values on which the Council is based."