Mr Matsuura voiced concern over press freedom in Iran in recent weeks. Restrictions have been imposed on domestic and foreign journalists preventing them from exercising their profession freely; a number of journalists are reported to have been arrested, access to the Internet limited and some sites closed.

Mr Matsuura further emphasized that: “Everywhere in the world, and in all circumstances, freedom of expression and press freedom are basic rights. There can be no justification to slighting them.”