Rouhani arrived in Paris on Wednesday from Rome, where billions of euros’ worth of trade deals were reached, and was formally greeted Thursday morning at the gold-domed Invalides monument that houses Napoleon’s tomb.
A demonstration organized by labor unions, left-wing groups and associations of Iranians who oppose the regime took place at the republic square in Paris. Many of the participants held aloft photos of Iranian activists imprisoned in Iran or activists executed there in the past two years, since Rouhani was elected president.
One of the demonstration’s leaders said about 2,000 people have been executed in Iran since Rouhani became president, and that Tehran maintains a policy of arresting those who criticize the government.
The demonstration joins a massive campaign in French media and social networks against Rouhani’s visit. The campaign focuses on the violation of human rights in Iran and on its support for terrorism.
France’s main newspapers – Le Monde, Le Figaro and Liberation — all published over the past two days editorials stating that Iran has not changed and has not yet become a progressive and liberal country with which France can renew relations, especially against the backdrop of Iranian ties with Hezbollah’s military wing and its involvement in the Syrian civil war.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the countries should forget past rancor. “France is available for Iran,” he said. “Iran can count on France.”
Rouhani’s visit was also met with protests, notably over executions in Iran. A nearly naked woman hung from a fake noose off a Paris bridge Thursday next to a huge banner reading “Welcome Rouhani, Executioner of Freedom.”
But the thrust of the trip was about improving economic and diplomatic relations after years of isolation for his country of 80 million people.
Agencies
