Europe 1 with AFP 9:12 p.m., September 25, 2022

Many demonstrations have been breaking out for more than a week in Iran, sometimes violent and deadly.

Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, condemned the disproportionate use of force by Tehran against the demonstrators.

He points to an "unjustifiable and unacceptable" act.

The European Union ruled on Sunday "unjustifiable and unacceptable" the "widespread and disproportionate use of force" against demonstrators in Iran, after nine days of protests against the death of a young woman detained by the morality police, who killed 41.

In a statement on behalf of the EU, the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell also condemns "the decision of the Iranian authorities to drastically restrict internet access and to block instant messaging platforms", which "constitutes a flagrant violation freedom of expression".

A strong condemnation of the Iranian response

"The European Union will continue to examine all the options at its disposal, before the next Council (of) Foreign Ministers, in the face of the death of Mahsa Amini and the way in which the Iranian security forces have responded to the demonstrations which have followed", warned Josep Borrell, without further details.

The protests began on September 16, the day of the death of Mahsa Amini, arrested on September 13 in Tehran for "wearing inappropriate clothes" in the Islamic Republic where the dress code for women is strict.

"We expect Iran to immediately stop the violent repression of demonstrations and allow access to the internet, as well as the free flow of information," added the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

He also called on Tehran to "clarify the number of dead and arrested people, to release all non-violent demonstrators".

"The death of Mahsa Amini must be properly investigated, and anyone found responsible for his death must be held to account", he continues, taking "note in this regard of the statement of the Iranian President “Ebrahim Raisi.

According to the non-detailed official Iranian report, including demonstrators and security forces, 41 people were killed in nine days of protests.

But the toll could be higher, with the Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights reporting at least 54 protesters killed.