by
Martin Banks
In an interview following her address to a Brussels conference organised by the European Foundation for Democracy (EFD), she said there had been a "dramatic and significant" shift in EU policy towards Tehran. Brussels, she argued, now chose to "stay silent" on a range of human rights violations, including persecution of political prisoners, the death penalty, public executions and stoning of women.
"This is a reckless policy of indifference" she told the assembled diplomats and officials at the briefing 'Iran: Challenges & Opportunities following the Nuclear Deal and Parliamentary elections'. A senior representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS) had made a robust defence of the EU's Iranian policy at the conference, saying the bloc had pursued a policy of "quiet diplomacy" which had already reaped benefits.
The EEAS official had added, "We need to have a balanced approach on this otherwise it could fuel sectarian tensions and the polarisation that already exists in the Middle East. However, he emphasised, "that does not mean we remain silent." The Foundation's debate comes in the wake of recent elections to the 290-member Majlis (Parliament) which resulted in impressive gains by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The scale of gains by Rouhani's supporters, at least in the major cities including Tehran, is seen as a setback for the conservatives opposed to any opening up to the West. Prominent critics of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers were effectively defeated.
Under the deal struck last year with international powers, a number of crippling economic sanctions on Iran were lifted after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) certified that Iran had restricted its sensitive nuclear activities. Lifting sanctions will, it is hoped, open up new trade opportunities in Iran for European businesses. Sadr, Director of Justice for Iran, a UK-based human rights NGO, said the EU has changed its policy towards human rights abuses in Iran in order to safeguard the landmark agreement. "The human rights situation in Iran has stagnated or deteriorated but the EU now chooses to stay silent on this. She said.
"The EU likes to promote itself as pro-human rights but there has been a quiet - but dramatic - shift in its policy towards Iran, something that is now the subject of increasing criticism by the human rights community in Iran. "Meanwhile, the authorities in Iran continue to commit heinous crimes." She reflected on the two recent reports of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran which harshly criticised Iran for its continued human rights violations, including unfair trials, imprisoning journalists, widespread torture and ill-treatment of detainees and the high rate of capital punishment. Discrimination against women and minorities are also part of Iran's human rights violations, she said, adding, "The EU has to ask itself it this issue of any relevance."
The EEAS's response to her criticism at the conference she said, was that Issuing statements about human rights in Iran can be counter-productive and that's why they have gone for quiet diplomacy which has had some positive results, albeit modest. "If this approach saved lives then I would defend it." Sadr said in the post conference interview. She added that following her arrest, her release was directly a result of an international campaign launched to free her with the German authorities publicising her case.
On Iran's allegedly excessive use of the death penalty the official made comparisons with Saudi Arabia and China, where "thousands" were executed. Sadr had pointed out in her presentation however that Iran executes more citizens per capita than any other country The EEAS official had sought to reassure critics of EU policy she said by explaining that human rights issues were an integral part of the 28-member bloc's "re-engagement" with Iran.
Another keynote speaker, Iran expert and Digital entrepreneur Nima Rashedan, interviewed after the conference, said the nuclear deal offered both challenges and opportunities for the international community. The Swiss-based Rashedan had told the packed conference the nuclear deal had generated a new business climate in the Iran, with the establishment of new companies and emergence of young entrepreneurs. However, he cautioned that business opportunities could be hampered by the country's energy management which he branded "one of the worst in the world and one with a lack of investment in oil infrastructure."
The EU had an advisory role to play in the promotion of best practice and he also called on Brussels to develop a "strategy" which, among other things, could provide information to those thinking of investing in a "post-nuclear deal" Iran. Among issues raised in the Q&A session Rashedan said, was that despite renewed optimism following the nuclear agreement, concerns persist about doing business in Iran, a country with very serious corruption and human rights violations issues. "Opening trade with Iran is all well and good but if you are going to go into a country like this, with problems on the scale that it has, do not be surprised if that comes back to haunt you" he said.
Another issue discussed was the possible impact of the recent parliamentary elections, where, realistically, the best-case scenario is not that Iran becomes a Western-style liberal democracy, but rather that it follows the China model of gradual economic and diplomatic opening, along with loosening some social freedoms. Sadr however struck a pessimistic note in the interview saying that even if the new Parliament adopts new legislation in favour of protecting human rights, the Guardian Council would simply not ratify it. Her comments were echoed by Rashedan who added, "After every election, reformists get elected but nothing changes. The same cycle just continues."
By: N. Peter Kramer
