European Parliament Member: EU states should follow Germany's example on asylum

GVF -- Following the decision by the German government to accept a certain number of political refugees from Iran, German Green Member of the European Parliament Barbara Lochbihler, Chair of the EU Parliament delegation to Iran, has issued the following statement:

"I warmly welcome the decision of the German government to grant asylum to a number of Iranian dissidents. Berlin is sending a clear message of support to the opposition in Iran, which is threatened with persecution, torture and even the death penalty. European governments must urgently follow the example of France and Germany. People who are risking their lives to defend human rights and freedom of opinion deserve our support. It is now up to the German government to follow up on its decision. The serious situation in Iran requires taking in more than just a selected number of the people at risk."