WANA (Oct 02) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei condemned the violent handling of protesters by French security forces and called on France to respect fundamental human rights and basic freedoms in dealing with protests by students and workers.

 

Speaking to reporters, Baghaei said those who, as he put it, had made extensive human rights claims should respect fundamental rights and freedoms when dealing with protests by students and schoolchildren.

 

He said French authorities, who describe the actions of Iranian security forces against armed terrorists trained by the Israeli regime as human rights violations, themselves tolerated no violent action against police during peaceful gatherings and suppressed protesters in the harshest manner.

 

At the same time, Baghaei stressed the need for protesters to refrain from violent behavior, damaging public and private property, and attacking security and law enforcement personnel.

 

Referring to reports published by French news agencies about the detention of more than 2,000 protesters and their alleged beating by police, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman called for an investigation into allegations that security forces had used severe violence against protesters.

 

Background

The protests have been driven in part by student concerns over school conditions, including teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and limited resources. The demonstrations have coincided with broader public-sector protests over the government’s budget policies.

 

French security forces detained people on Thursday during protests across the country, according to the French Interior Ministry. The ministry said a significant number of those detained were accused of violent acts against police and gendarmerie forces, while 305 police and gendarmerie personnel were injured.

 

The demonstrations were accompanied by clashes, vandalism and fires in some areas. More than 400 schools and educational centers were also reportedly closed because of the protests, with classes continuing remotely in some cases.

 

The figure of 1,949 refers to detentions carried out in a single day and does not necessarily mean that all those detained were protesters or had been convicted of any offense.