Iran’s Foreign Ministry has summoned France’s ambassador to Tehran over the handling of student protests by French security forces, calling on Paris to respect protesters’ fundamental rights and their right to peaceful assembly.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Hamid Ahmadi, Acting Director General of the Human Rights Department at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, reminded France of its obligations under international human rights treaties and instruments, The Caspian Post reports, citing IRNA.

He called on the country to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly the right of people in France to hold peaceful gatherings.

Ahmadi voiced serious concern over what he described as a violent crackdown by French security forces on peaceful demonstrations, saying the actions left a number of protesters injured or disabled, including some who lost their sight, while more than 5,000 people were arrested. He said the use of such force against participants in peaceful protests was completely unjustifiable.

Citing reports and images showing security forces and armed police entering classrooms and assaulting students and teachers, Ahmadi called for an independent mechanism to investigate serious human rights violations. He also stressed the need to address numerous reports of excessive force and violations of the sanctity of schools by French police.

Ahmadi pointed to the protesters’ legitimate demands for the fundamental right to education and access to a fair, non-discriminatory education system in France. He urged the French government to respect the legitimate and lawful rights of its citizens, particularly young people, and ensure accountability for those responsible for serious human rights violations.