South Africa urges Iran to uphold citizens' right to peaceful protest
The Presidency has called on Iranian authorities to “ensure that citizens exercise their right to protest in peace“.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Presidency said the government is following the developments in Iran with concern.
“South Africa firmly believes that the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and freedom of association are universal human rights that must be upheld without exception.”
It added that peace and stability can only be achieved through solutions that centre the agency of the Iranian people.
In the meantime, Iranian authorities have denied claims that Erfan Soltani was arrested and sentenced to death.
“The Judiciary’s Media Center stated that opposition media outlets based abroad have openly fabricated news, falsely claiming that a young man named Erfan Soltani was arrested and swiftly sentenced to death,” said the Judiciary’s Media Center, which carried this statement in Iranian media.
It further stated: “According to follow-up investigations, Erfan Soltani was arrested on 9 January during the unrest, and the charges of assembly and collusion against national security and propaganda activities against the system were formally brought against him. He is currently being held at the Central Prison of Karaj.”
It added that if charges are confirmed by the prosecutor’s office and a legal verdict is issued by the competent court, the punishment by law would be imprisonment. It reiterated that the death penalty is not stipulated in Iranian law for such charges.
IOL