NCRI – Finland has summoned the Iranian regime's charge d'affaires in Helsinki, Hossein Ali Zadeh, on Thursday to express its concerns over human rights violations in Iran, the Nordic country's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The government of Finland is deeply concerned over the harassment of Iranian human rights activists and journalists. Iran is expected to observe in full the international human rights agreements to which the country has committed itself," the ministry said in a statement.
Below is the text of statement by Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland:
Finland expressed concern over the human rights situation in Iran
Press release 17/2010
21 January, 2010
The Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Iran, Hossein Ali Zadeh, was summoned on 21 January to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, owing to the human rights situation in Iran. The representative of Iran in Helsinki has received a similar summons before. According to Secretary of State Pertti Torstila, particular concern has arisen in recent weeks over the violent suppression of demonstrations, the increased harassment of human rights activitists and the treatment of the Bahá’í minority.
Finland condemns the use of violence against demonstrators exercising their freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Every person detained in connection with demonstrations should be guaranteed a fair trial.
Secretary of State Torstila stressed the great importance of religious freedom and freedom of opinion, and voiced his concern over the detention of members of the Bahá’í minority. The Government of Finland is deeply concerned over the harassment of Iranian human rights activists and journalists. Iran is expected to observe in full the international human rights agreements to which the country has committed itself.
