By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) – The EU and the UK on Friday criticized Iran over the human rights situation on the first death anniversary of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in custody in Tehran after being arrested by morality police for allegedly not wearing the hijab.
In a statement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recalled the nationwide protests following the death of Amini, saying Iranian authorities' response to the protests was "repression."
"The EU and its member states stand united in urging the Iranian authorities to strictly abide by the principles enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party," said the statement.
It added that the human rights situation in Iran continues to be "critical," calling on Iran to implement the relevant international treaties and agreements to which it is a party.
"The EU also calls on Iran to immediately cease the unacceptable and unlawful practice of arbitrary detention, including of EU and dual EU-Iranian citizens and to immediately set them free."
The EU also reaffirmed its "strong support for the fundamental rights of Iranian women and men and their aspirations."
- UK announces fresh sanctions
In a statement by the Foreign Office, the UK commemorated Amini and imposed new sanctions on Iran jointly together with Canada and Australia.
"A year on from Mahsa Amini’s tragic death at the hands of Iran’s Morality Police, I commend the bravery of Iranian women as they continue to fight for fundamental freedoms," Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in the statement.
He said that the new sanctions send "a clear message" that the UK and its partners will continue to stand with Iranian women.
The fresh sanctions include Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili, minister for culture and Islamic guidance, Mohammad Hashemi, deputy minister for culture and Islamic guidance, Alireza Zakani, mayor of Tehran, and Saeed Montazer Al-Mahdi, Iranian police spokesman.
Iran found itself in the midst of mass protests following the death of Amini in police custody last year.
Amini died on Sept. 16, 2022, under mysterious circumstances after being detained by the morality police in Tehran for allegedly violating Iran's Islamic dress code.
Iranian officials have attempted to cast Amini's death as the result of a heart attack she suffered while in custody, but that explanation has fallen flat with protesters and her family saying she was brutally beaten to death.