US, EU condemn Iran rights violations

(WASHINGTON) - The United States and the European Union condemned Monday continuing human rights violations by Iran and expressed concern over the potential for further violence in the coming days.

Large scale detentions and mass trials, the threatened executions of protesters, the intimidation of family members of those detained and the denial of rights of expression are "contrary to human rights norms," they said in a joint statement.

"We are particularly concerned by the potential for further violence and repression during the coming days, especially around the anniversary of the Islamic Republic's founding on 11 February," the statement said.

"We call on the government of Iran to live up to its international human rights obligations, to end its abuses against its own people, to hold accountable those who have committed the abuses and to release those who are exercising their rights."

More than 4,000 protesters and opposition figures were arrested in Iran during and after mass protests that erupted in June following the disputed re-election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to official figures.

Opposition sources put the number of killed so far at 72, double the official toll of 36 dead.

Hundreds more people have detained since the summer in anti-government demonstrations that have been harshly repressed.