Iran Criticizes European Parliament For Awarding Iranian Dissidents

Tehran, Dec 17, IRNA – Iran on Sunday criticized the European Parliament for awarding Iranian dissidents with Sakharov prize, terming the move as political gesture. Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast made the criticism for awarding Nasrin Sotoudeh and Iranian film director Jafar Panahi with Sakharov prize - freedom of thought 2012. He expressed regret over the European Parliament's decision and the relevant body to take a selective decision, making human rights instrumental for political ends. Mehmanparast lambasted the EP for negligence and ignoring the Israeli crimes in the occupied lands and its focus on specific subjects and the European Parliament's selective approach. He said EP had better to focus on different cases of violation of human rights in European countries and especially on the miserable situation of asylum seekers and refugees, discrimination against Muslims, and ignoring the European citizens' demands and legitimate social and economic rights instead of awarding the prize with political intentions. Sotoudeh and Panahi have been this year's joint winners of the European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. They were chosen by EP President Martin Schulz and political group leaders on Friday, 26 October and the prize and a €50,000 were awarded to the representatives of the two Iranian in plenary European Parliament on 12 December in Strasbourg./end