DPA, Berlin, Mar 3, 2010- A group of German nuclear scientists protested growing human rights abuses in Iran on Wednesday.
A total of 177 scientists – mostly nuclear physicists – signed a petition to be presented to the German government later this week.
They demanded Germany condemn torture, show trials and rape in Iran, and called for pressure to be increased on the country to end such practices.
The petition also called for the immediate release of prisoners of conscience, and insisted on press freedom and free elections.
Iran has witnessed a crackdown on Opposition voices since protests erupted over the controversial re-election of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad in June last year. Reformists claim the vote was rigged.
The scientists said the political row over Iran’s nuclear programme should not be allowed to overshadow human rights violations.