Brussels, 20/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - In a press release relating to the first session of political dialogue with Iran and the European Union, held in Teheran on 16 and 17 December, the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) welcomes the "frankness of the discussions" on the subject of torture and discrimination, notably against women. It notes the announcement by the Iranian authorities of their intention to send a standing invitation to the special UN Rapporteur on torture, and expects this commitment to be put into practice. The FIDH nonetheless deplores the limits imposed to the debate, notably on ethnic and religious minorities and on corporal punishments. It hopes the next dialogue session, which should be held next spring, will make it possible to tackle other major issues: freedom of expression and association, and the "very worrying" situation of lawyers. The FIDH considers that participation of truly independent organisations from European and Iranian civil society is essential for the credibility and transparency of the dialogue. It regrets that representatives from other NGOs, in particular Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, did not get their visa from the Iranian authorities. It also deplores the fact that truly independent Iranian organisations were not associated. The FIDH calls upon the EU and Iran to do everything they can in order to be included in the next session of the dialogue.