The European Union followed Germany's lead Monday in voicing concern at the enforced closure of the Tehran office of Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, dpa reported.
The French EU presidency called on Iranian authorities to reopen the office of the human rights lawyer immediately.
In a declaration, the EU condemned the closure of Ebadi's office in the strongest terms, saying Iran had to comply with international obligations in regard to human rights as well as accord the office the legal status it has sought after for decades.
Earlier Monday a German Foreign Ministry spokesman in Berlin said that Germany regarded the office closure "as a further sign that the room for manoeuvre of those who defend human rights in Iran is getting smaller."
Iranian media reported Sunday the closure of the human rights centre.
Ebadi, 61, won the Nobel in 2003 for promoting human rights and democracy in Iran. She was the first Iranian and first Muslim woman to receive the honour.