French ambassador summoned to Iran’s Foreign Ministry – What is the reason?

France’s ambassador to Tehran, Pierre Cochard, has been summoned to Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

TodayPress TV reports that the ambassador was received by Hamid Ahmadi, acting head of the Human Rights Department of Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

Ahmadi conveyed Iran’s strong protest over the violent intervention by French security forces against student protests and widespread human rights violations.

Referring to France’s obligations under international human rights treaties and instruments, he called on the French government to respect fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly the right to peaceful assembly.

The official also expressed serious concern over the use of force by French security forces against peaceful gatherings. He said that the intervention had resulted in injuries and permanent disabilities among protesters, including people who had lost their sight. It was also reported that more than 5,000 people had been detained.

Ahmadi emphasized that there could be no justification for violence on such a scale against participants in peaceful demonstrations. The Iranian official also referred to reports and footage showing armed security and police forces entering classrooms and attacking students and teachers. He demanded the establishment of an independent mechanism to investigate serious human rights violations, reports of excessive use of force, and allegations that French police had violated the sanctity of schools.

He also highlighted the protesters’ fundamental right to education and their demand for a fair and non-discriminatory education system. Ahmadi called on the French government to respect the lawful and legitimate rights of its citizens, particularly the younger generation, and to ensure that those responsible for serious human rights violations are brought to justice.

Aysel Matlab