Foreign Secretary: Iranian elections took place in "climate of fear"
Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the regime has presented the vote as a test of loyalty, rather than an opportunity for people to freely choose their own representatives.
Commenting on the Iranian elections, he said:
鈥淚t has been clear for some time that these elections would not be free and fair. 皇冠体育app regime has presented the vote as a test of loyalty, rather than an opportunity for people freely to choose their own representatives.
鈥溁使谔逵齛pp climate of fear, created by the regime鈥檚 crushing of opposition voices since 2009, persists. 皇冠体育app field of candidates for this election has been limited by the intensified vetting of candidates, and the ongoing repression of dissent, including the continued house arrest of two of Iran鈥檚 opposition leaders since February 2011. In these circumstances it is not surprising that most of Iran鈥檚 reformist wing chose not to stand, reducing the elections to an internal competition among regime conservatives. As such, we do not believe the elections can be presented as reflecting the will of the people. We will continue to urge Iran to address its human rights record, including at this month鈥檚 UN Human Rights Council.鈥�