Iran slams France's 'double standards' on human rights amid protest crackdown

Tehran - BORNA - In a message posted on the social media platform X, Baghaei highlighted the contradictory approaches taken by French authorities when dealing with domestic unrest compared to their stance on Iranian affairs.

He recalled that in January 2026, France lectured Iran on the necessity of respecting "peaceful assembly without fear of punishment" and urged government "restraint" toward demonstrators.

"French officials even spoke of a 'peaceful uprising' [in Iran], despite being aware of incitement to riot and violence from outside Iran's borders and the existence of reports regarding armed attacks on police stations in Iran," Baghaei wrote.

The spokesperson pointed out that now, however, student protests inside France are being officially labeled as "urban violence."

He noted that the French interior minister does not seem to agree with showing restraint, instead calling for rapid, decisive intervention by security forces and the use of force to restore order.

Meanwhile, Baghaei added, the French government is attributing the domestic unrest to "political manipulation" and the involvement of far-left factions.

The Iranian diplomat clarified that violence against police, arson, and the destruction of public property are unjustifiable, and any government is obligated to establish security and public order.

However, he questioned the deep contradiction in Paris's approach. "Why are the exact same behaviors and criteria interpreted one way when the protester is in Iran, and in a completely different way when the protester is in France?!" he asked.

"The problem is not the protest; the problem is the double standards," Baghaei concluded. "If human rights and the right to protest are fundamental principles, they should not change based on the geography of the protester."

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