France summons Iranian envoy over human rights

E3 states reportedly concerned over Tehran’s treatment of political prisoners and of detained dual-nationals

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian leaves the Elysee Presidential Palace after a weekly cabinet meeting. AFP  

France's foreign ministry this week summoned Iran's envoy over the country's human rights record, signalling concern about what Paris calls "serious and constant violations".

France rarely comments publicly on human rights in Iran, but on September 22 Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said more needed to be done over what he said was worsening human rights violations in Iran following anti-government protests in November 2019.

One source said France, UK and Germany had acted jointly and warned Iran its actions were harming relations. Two sources said the envoy had been summoned on Thursday.

Iranian-French academic Fariba Adelkhah is serving a six-year sentence on security charges. Mr Le Drian said she was being held for political reasons and the charges were baseless.

When asked whether France, in conjunction with Britain and Germany had acted collectively, to warn Iran over its treatment of political prisoners and dual nationals held in the country, a foreign ministry official sidestepped the question.

"The French authorities regularly express their concerns about the serious and constant violations of human rights in Iran," spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said.

"These concerns are shared by many partners, including Germany and the United Kingdom."

Britain's Guardian newspaper reported on Wednesday that the respective ambassadors from all three countries were being summoned specifically over Tehran's treatment of political prisoners and the detention of dual nationals.

Without naming the three European states, known as the E3, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh responded to the Guardian article in a statement saying some European powers were interfering in the country's internal affairs.

"Iran believes the politically-motivated behaviour and selective moves of the US and certain European governments have always dealt the heaviest blow to the principle of human rights," he said.

The move by the E3, comes as they strive to keep alive a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, while confronting US efforts to raise pressure on Tehran and kill the accord.

Washington on Thursday blacklisted several Iranian officials and entities over alleged gross violations of human rights. The European Union has not imposed sanctions over rights violations in Iran since 2013.