"We call on the Iranian government to improve its own human rights situation before more Iranians suffer for attempting to exercise their universal rights and freedoms.", the statement added.
Text of Press Statement bySean McCormack, Spokesman for the US Department of State
July 16, 2007
Iran: Crackdown on Students
The United States is deeply concerned by reports that Iranian authorities have increased their repression of student activists. Six students were beaten and detained on July 9 for participating in a sit-in commemorating the arrest of eight students earlier this spring; nine other students and a mother of a student were beaten and detained when authorities broke into the office of their student group, Office for Consolidation Unity. These repressive actions by the regime highlight an ongoing and alarming trend of intolerance toward any expression of independent views by the Iranian people.
The United States stands with all students and civil society leaders in Iran, who courageously struggle for their universal rights and justice in their country. We continue to work with the international community through the United Nations, foreign governments, and international NGOs to focus attention on the Iranian regime’s abuse of its own citizens. We call on the Iranian government to improve its own human rights situation before more Iranians suffer for attempting to exercise their universal rights and freedoms.