The Iranian foreign minister visited  Sweden on Monday where he gave a speech at the Swedish Institute of Foreign Affairs. He also met with Swedish deputy prime minister Maud Olofsson and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.

Bildt on Tuesday told Swedish radio that during the meeting he had discussed human rights concerns, including the extensive use of the death penalty in Iran.  In Sweden, Iranian and human rights groups criticized Mottaki’s visit and staged protests.  Responding to critics, Bildt said that it was necessary to engage in a dialogue in order to have any means of influencing Iran and that the talks were part of joint European Union efforts to send a ‘coordinated message’ to Tehran. 

The Norway visit also generated attention to Iran’s human rights violation records. The news on Norway’s TV2 had stoning and suppresion of  women as one of their main cases. There were also a demonstration outside while the Iranian foreign minister had a meeting with Jonas Gahr Støre, the Norwegian foreign minister.

Unexpeted by Iranian officials, human rights became one of the main subjects of the meeting. Støre protested 
execution of minors, women’s situation and Holocaust denial. 

On another news more Parliament members from Sweden signed the Stop Child Executions petition which brings the total of  Swedish MPs to 51 to date:

source: SVD Inrikis, SR Radio