Uprising against the mullah regime
Switzerland condemns execution of Iranian protesters
Two more demonstrators were executed in Iran, triggering protests around the world. According to an official statement by State Secretary Livia Leu, Switzerland rejects the death penalty “under all circumstances”.
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A solidarity rally with the protests in Iran took place in Zurich on Saturday.
Sophie ReinhardtEditor Politics
Two more protesters have been executed in Iran. As the Iranian judicial authority announced on Saturday, the two men Mohammad Mahdi Karami (22) and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini (39) were hanged in the early hours of the morning.
The two men were accused of being responsible for the death of a security guard during anti-system protests in November. The two convicts had no lawyers, so human rights organizations speak of a show trial.
EDA reports via Twitter
Switzerland reacted to the news and condemned the executions, as the foreign department (EDA) writes on Twitter. Switzerland rejects the death penalty “under all circumstances”. The tweet was written by FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu (62), who used to be an ambassador in Tehran herself.
Two other men, Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosein, had previously been executed for their involvement in the protest movement following the death of Mahsa Amini. Numerous other death sentences were imposed.
According to Iranian activists and human rights groups abroad, more than 500 people died during the protests – mainly demonstrators, but also security forces. More than 18,500 demonstrators are said to have been arrested. Iran has not confirmed this information, but has not denied it either. Tehran’s brutal crackdown on the demonstrators, and in particular the two executions, were condemned at home and abroad.
No further sanctions
A national rally in solidarity with the protests in Iran was held on Saturday. Around 2,500 people protested in Zurich against the Iranian regime. The organization “Free Iran Switzerland” had called for the rally. They reiterated their call for a change of course in Switzerland’s Iran policy. In particular, she demanded that the Federal Council adopt the EU sanctions against the government in Tehran.
But this does not seem to comply with the request for the time being. As the FDFA writes on its website, the Department of Economics, Education and Research is responsible for sanctions policy in Switzerland. “When it comes to the question of whether Switzerland will take on new sanctions against Iran, all domestic and foreign policy interests are always taken into account, including Switzerland’s good offices in Iran.”
Switzerland wanted to keep the existing communication channels open and continue the “critical dialogue with the Iranian government” and directly introduce its demands in relation to the human rights situation and other issues, the FDFA continues. (she/SDA)