Thousands of Iranians have been protesting against the ruling regime in Tehran for weeks. Due to serious human rights violations, the EU is now tightening its position against Iran. At a meeting in Brussels on Monday, EU foreign ministers unanimously decided on punitive measures against responsible individuals and organizations, as confirmed by several diplomats.
Foreign ministers, including the head of department Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP), had previously met to decide on the EU military training mission (EUMAM) for Ukraine. “It is to be feared that things will get very bloody in Iran,” Schallenberg said before the meeting.
World looks to Iran
The new EU sanctions against Iran target those responsible for the repression. “The Iranian regime must be fully aware that the world is watching them,” Schallenberg said. Austria is the place where the nuclear negotiations with Iran are taking place. Tehran’s treatment of its own people is “a sign of poverty” and “unacceptable”.
In the case of the nuclear negotiations with Iran, the window is currently “closed”, mainly due to Tehran, which has included “unrelated issues”. However, Schallenberg stressed: “Even a bad deal is better than none at all, because the alternative is a nuclear arms race in the Gulf region.”
Concerns about celebrity blogger
Concerns are growing in Iran about the health of prominent blogger Hossein Ronaghi, who is imprisoned. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of people gathered in front of a hospital in the capital Tehran on Monday night. The well-known activist, who has been on hunger strike for more than a month, is being treated there. The demonstrators chanted protest slogans and demanded Ronaghi’s release. Police and security forces responded with tear gas.
After treatment, the activist was said to have been taken to an undisclosed location, relatives said. The 37-year-old is one of the best-known human rights activists in Iran. Shortly after nationwide protests broke out in September, Ronaghi was taken by surprise by security forces during a TV interview. After his escape, he turned himself in to the authorities a few days later and was forcibly arrested. Ronaghi’s family accuses the security apparatus of torturing the man in the notorious Ewin Prison and breaking both his legs. Over the weekend, Ronaghi’s brother Hassan wrote on Twitter: “Hossein’s life is in danger.”
Regime reacts with excessive force
In recent weeks, the government repeatedly cracked down on well-known activists and celebrities who showed solidarity with the protests. According to the human rights activist, some 15,000 demonstrators have already been arrested. Justice demands harsh sentences.
The nationwide protests were prompted by the death of Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini in mid-September. She died in police custody after being arrested for violating Islamic dress codes.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
