Iranian officials continued through the weekend and on Tuesday to lash out against a recent European Parliament (EP) resolution that criticized Iran over its human rights record, with Tehran’s top diplomat threatening to ban EP delegations and Iranian lawmakers crafting a range of responses and resolutions.

The EP’s resolution, passed last week, had among other things called for parliamentary delegations to Iran to “be committed to meeting members of the political opposition and civil society activists, and to having access to political prisoners,” and criticized Iran for violating basic rights:

The European Parliament resolution passed April 3 triggered fury among Iranian authorities by touching on sensitive subjects such as human rights. The resolution urged the European Union to exploit the current window of opportunity afforded by the nuclear talks, but criticized the Islamic Republic for “human rights violations.” It condemned restrictions on almost every social activity in Iran, including “freedom of information, freedom of association, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, academic freedom, freedom of education and freedom of movement.”

The language came after months of statements by top United Nations officials, including by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, declaring that the Islamic Republic’s human rights abuses had not significantly abated under the government of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham blasted the EP resolution:

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on April 4 that the European Parliament’s measure was “baseless and unacceptable,” adding that not only does the resolution run counter to all political and international criteria, but it is also reminiscent of “discriminatory and racist” approaches.

Iranian media conveyed a statement by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif banning EP delegations who would seek to implement the resolution’s call for interactions with dissidents and political prisoners.

A prominent Iranian parliamentarian lashed out at the European Union for “meddling in Iran’s domestic affairs,” and a statement signed by 258 Iranian parliamentarians echoed the charge. Iranian media outlets for their part went so far as to host guests insisting that – actually – it is “the EU and the West” that contribute to undermining human rights.

[Photo: PressTV News Videos / YouTube ]