(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Head of Iran's Association of Islamic Revolution Followers, Mehdi Eghrarian, said in Tehran on Tuesday that the convoy will leave the Iranian southern port city of Bushehr on board a ship on May 16, a Press TV correspondent reported. He added that the move is aimed at condemning the brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters in Bahrain.
Eghrarian pointed out that the ship will be named after Bahraini poetess, Ayat al-Ghermezi who was raped and killed by Saudi-backed regime forces. He called on activists from other countries to join the convoy.
He furthered said that Iran's Association of Islamic Revolution Followers is a non-governmental organization that focuses on the cultural issues of the Muslim world.
The report comes as Bahrain's main opposition party, al-Wefaq, says over 30 holy sites have been destroyed since the anti-regime protests began in the Middle eastern in mid-February.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast warned on Tuesday against “adverse and negative” consequences of violent clampdown on Bahrain's anti-government protesters, urging a proper response to public demands.
The Iranian spokesperson refuted allegations about the Islamic Republic's interference in affairs of other countries, including Bahrain. Mehmanparast noted that Iran's foreign policy respects the territorial integrity of other countries, stressing that “an appropriate response should be given to public demands.”
Mehmanparast cast doubt on the West's dual attitude on human rights and its selective support for certain countries “while claiming to defend human rights.” “The West's selective attitude to democracy and human rights has removed any remaining ambiguities for public opinion,” he went on to say.
Rights groups say government forces have even raided hospitals and tortured doctors and patients as part of their efforts to suppress protest rallies and punish those that provide medical treatment to the injured in the brutal crackdown. Over 30 medical workers have so far gone missing since the uprising began.
Amnesty International says it is concerned about the fate of missing activists in Bahrain and the fact that detained protesters are being tortured there with impunity.
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