The Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist) has summoned the Iranian ambassador to inform him of Belgium's concerns about the situation in his country. According to Mr Prévot, Belgium would also be open to new European sanctions.
Foreign Minister summons Iranian Ambassador to express Belgium’s concerns about the situation in Iran
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In a press statement released on Monday Mr Prévot said that “Today, I summoned the Iranian ambassador to Belgium to express our concerns and demand that the Iranian authorities fulfil their international obligations, strictly refrain from any disproportionate use of force and respond to the peaceful demands of the Iranian people”.
During the past two weeks there have been demonstrations against the theocratic regime in Iran. The Iranian security forces are stamping down heavily on the protesters. According to the NGO Iran Human Rights, almost 650 people have been killed. The regime has blocked the internet and this makes it difficult for those outside the country to gain an accurate picture of what is going on inside Iran.
Mr Prévot says that “It seems most likely that the Iranian authorities are using excessive force in dealing with the protests”. The Foreign Minister asks Belgians in Iran to be extra vigilant. “Our embassy in Tehran in particular is alert and in constant contact with our partners to monitor developments.”
Mr Prévot also indicated that Belgium was prepared to discuss additional European sanctions against the Iranian regime. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, said on Sunday that she may propose new sanctions.