Iran/elections
Paris, May 22, 2013
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Iran
Q. – What’s your reaction to two of the main candidates in Iran’s presidential election being invalidated?
THE SPOKESMAN – The Iranian people must be able to choose their leaders freely and deserve to have their most basic rights – such as freedom of expression and opinion – respected, in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.
In this instance, the decision by the Council of Guardians of the Constitution illustrates the extent to which the Iranian system is locked down. Eligibility criteria undeniably lack transparency.
More generally, the elections will take place in a climate of growing repression in Iran and at a time when the main figures of the pro-reform opposition – Messrs Mousavi and Karroubi – are still under house arrest. (...)./.