Rouhani: Iranians should be ‘completely free’

Leader says his people should be allowed to think, speak and seek information, as long as ‘national identity’ is protected

By AP 19 September 2013, 3:23 pm

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Screenshot from an interview Iranian President Hasan Rouhani gave to NBC News Wednesday September 18, 2013, his first to a US outlet since his election.

WASHINGTON — Iranian President Hasan Rouhani said his people should be free to think, speak and seek information on the Internet, subject to “the protection of our national identity,” in remarks released Thursday morning.

In an interview with NBC News in Tehran, Rouhani says a “commission for citizens’ rights” will be established “in the near future.” He says the viewpoint of the government on censorship issues should be based “on our morals.”

According to an NBC translation, Rouhani says, quote, “We want the people in their private life to be completely free. In today’s world, having access to information and the right of free dialogue and the right to think freely is the right of all people, including the people of Iran.”

Rouhani also says Iran is “not in pursuit of nuclear weapons and will not be.”