British Foreign Secretary David Miliband voiced concern Monday over clashes between police and protesters in Iran, urging the Islamic republic not to “stifle” its people.
“I share the concern of many people about the use of force to stifle demonstrations on Students’ Day,” he said after Iranian protesters defied police firing tear gas to stage fresh anti-government demonstrations.
“This follows the large scale abuses of human rights that have taken place since the presidential elections on June 12.
“Freedom of speech and freedom of political expression are fundamental values which all governments should respect. We look to the Iranian authorities to uphold the freedoms of their own citizens, not stifle them.”