Tehran: The Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemned the recent move by France and several Western countries to issue a joint statement against the Islamic Republic of Iran under the pretext of human rights, labeling it as a clear example of hypocritical deflection.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the Acting Director-General of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly criticized France and other Western nations for their joint statement, describing it as a repetitive tactic to evade accountability for their own roles in significant human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law across various regions, including Africa and West Asia, particularly concerning Iranian citizens.

Recalling France's colonial history in Africa and its interventionist actions that have resulted in human rights violations, Hamid Ahmadi advised French officials to address their own racist conduct toward foreign nationals and immigrants, rather than lecturing others. He also urged them to stop their unconditional support for what he termed the "genocidal and occupying Zionist regime."

Ahmadi pointed out that the statement from Western nations comes at a time when Iranians still remember the silence of these nations in the face of illegal military aggression by the US and Zionist regimes against Iran, including atrocities like the unjust killing of 168 people at a school in Minab and the deaths of thousands more in other incidents during the imposed 12-day and 40-day wars.

Highlighting the shameful stance taken by France, the European Union, and others regarding the Zionist regime's actions against nations like Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, Ahmadi asserted that those who believe in human rights principles would not accept the claims made by these countries. He accused France and its Western partners of being complicit in the crimes of the Zionist regime and called for accountability.

Emphasizing Iran's commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all its citizens, Ahmadi criticized the French regime and its European partners for their colonial history and hypocritical stances on human rights. He stated that the Iranian people have not forgotten the conduct of these nations during the US-Zionist military aggression against Iran, nor their silence on war crimes committed by the US and Zionist regime.

Ahmadi stressed that Iran's legal proceedings are conducted fairly and that neither France nor the European Union has the right to interfere in Iran's internal affairs or its justice system. He condemned France and its partners for their support of terrorist elements and called for accountability for their interventionist policies against Iran and violations of Iranian rights.