NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – September 12, 2002
Mission for
Establishment of Human Rights in Iran
(MEHR)
P.O. Box 2037, P.V.P., CA 90274,
USA
Tel: 310 - 377 - 4590, Fax: 310 -
377 -3103
URL: http://mehr.org
Contact: Dr. Nima Rasakhoo Tel:
310-739- 4215
|
MEHR’s Conference in Remembrance of the Massacre of Thousands of
Prisoners of Conscience by the Islamic Regime of Iran in Summer of 1988 was a
big Success Congresswomen
Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Dr. Michael Rubin, and Dr. Mohammad Parvin spoke out
in Los Angeles last week on the human rights violation in Iran and the
reaction of the world community and suggested that the Iranian Government
officials must be brought to justice for crimes against humanity. The text of
the speech of Congressman Howard Berman who could not attend the conference
due to a conflict in schedule was read along the supporting statements from
Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Mrs. Katrina Swett, candidate for the US
Congress from New Hampshire. All lawmakers strongly endorsed MEHR Foundation
for its role to expose the human rights violations by the Islamic Regime of
Iran. Live testimony of one of the survivors of the massacre and a torture
victim who has become paralyzed brought tears to the eyes of over 400 enthusiastic people who had showed up for
this gathering. Congresswomen Sanchez made a wonderful
review of human rights violation in Iran. The followings are excerpts from
her speech:
“Today has been designated as the memorial day to honor the
Thousands of the prisoners of conscious, who were executed by the Islamic
regime of Iran in summer of 1988.” “The mass murder of Thousands of political prisoners in 1988
must be recognized by the world as a crime against humanity. Even our own U.S. reports and the United
Nations human rights reports site Iran for wide spread abuses on human
rights, including assassinations, executions of regime opponents, in Iran and
abroad. “ “…we know that human rights are abused in Iran today, and this
must stop. …And religions prosecutions of all other religions, people who
have been executed, who have been put in prison, who have sentenced to 20 and
30 years, whether you are of Bahaii religion or whether you are Jewish, or Christian,
the attacks on your personal life, the insinuations, the way they go after
the neighborhoods, and people, this has got to stop and we must continue to
work to paint the picture of what happens within Iran” “While human rights of most Iranians have been curtailed under
the Islamic regime of Iran, it is women who suffer the most in Iran
today. Particularly disturbing, is
that discrimination is not only tolerated in that country, but expressly
supported by, and articulated in Iran’s penal code, civil code, and its
constitution.” “And as we know, there have now been 52 newspapers banned. Actually not banned, curtailed, put off
the market for a while, suspended.
But in the about 12 years that this has happened, none of them have
ever issued another newspaper, or article.
So effectively when you write something that the regime of Iran does
not like, you are put out of business.” “Those mass murders of 1988 must be viewed and recognized by the
world as crime against humanity and we must bring those responsible to
justice. Government officials and others, who have violated the human rights
of the Iranian people, must be brought to trial. “ And in the name of citizens of the entire world, who
love freedom and who strive for human rights for all of mankind, I urge you
to continue your work for human rights in Iran. Thank you for inviting me here today in your memorial day
observance. I look forward to the day where we commemorate not a dark day,
but where we celebrate a bright day. A day in which we siege true human
rights in Iran.” Dr.
Rubin,
visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, delivered a critical
analysis of the human rights violation in Iran and the reaction of the world
community. He started by endorsing MEHR and said: “I want to acknowledge the
work of the Mission for Establishment of Human Rights. MEHR is doing a
fantastic job, and I have the utmost respect for your work in exposing the
Islamic Republic’s massive violations of human rights. “ “Overwhelmingly, the
Iranian people want freedom. That we know. But it’s the guys with the guns
that count. And it is the Islamic Republic that controls the guys with the
guns.” “Indeed,
it is sadly ironic that some American and European policymakers still insist
that Iran has free elections and that Muhammad Khatami is a democrat. ….Do
they not know that in the Islamic Republic, elections are not about who
Iranians want, but instead who is least offensive of the limited choice?” “Robin
Wright is not the only correspondent to misrepresent human rights in Iran. We
must never forget that Iranians deserve the same human rights in Tehran that
Robin Wright enjoys in Los Angeles. The media must be held accountable. “Let’s
talk about U.S. policy. Is it going in the right direction? I think it is.
But we need your help. Human rights is not a partisan issue. It is an issue
on which both Democrats and Republican agree. But Congressman, Senators, and
policymakers must be educated. MEHR is doing a great job, but it is the job
of all Iranian Americans and, indeed, all Americans. You may not be happy
with all statements out of Washington. That’s fine. But tell policymakers
what they are doing wrong. “ “Of
course, groups like the American Iranian Council have tried to muddy the
waters and, unfortunately, have led some Senators and Congressman to de facto
support an Islamic Republic which, ironically, the Iranian people don’t even
support. But truth prevails, even over the big money donations of oil
companies, and the naïve sponsorship of some university programs. “ “There is, however, a clash between those in favor
of human rights, and those in favor of the Islamic Republic. MEHR and the
Iranian community in the United States and Europe must be at the vanguard of
the fight for human rights. Credibility is your ally. Don’t lose it. Your
mission is hard, but important. I look forward to celebrating the success of
your efforts in Tehran. Sooner rather than later.” Dr. Parvin gave a
detail description about the massacre of political prisoners based on a
report by the Amnesty International and Mr. Montazer’s memoirs and noted that
“….the world
community has been so indifferent to this terrible event and other human
rights abuses in Iran. Although there have mountain of documents and
evidences available including the AI Report in 1990, the accounts of this
massacre has been rarely covered by western media.” “….
Western governments and media driven by “interest” factor turned a blind eye
to horrible situation of Iranian people subjected to the worst type of human
rights abuses and terrorism. The “interest” factor made the European
countries so eager to establish relation with IRI and a fierce competition
started among them as to which one will take a bigger portion of the
lucrative one-sided deals with a desperate regime to survive. The US, lobbied
strongly by the financial institutions and especially oil companies, has left
the door open by pursuing a dual policy towards the Islamic Regime.” “The
struggle of the Iranian people for freedom and democracy is facing two main
obstacles: Inside Iran, they are confronting a brutal regime that has no
respect for human rights and dignity, and outside Iran, they are facing the
interest-driven governments and individuals that are helping and legitimizing
their abusers.” “The
question before all of us, Iranian, American, and Iranian/American is how to
help those brave Iranian men and women who are fighting for their lives. Fortunately,
we have found some brave allies here in the US who are coming out in defense of
the Iranians and exposing those who follow appeasing policies. We are no
longer alone in our battle. Yes. There is a battle outside Iran. A battle
between those who are with the Islamic regime and are trying to cover its
ugly face under the disguise of reform and those who stand for freedom and
democracy and Iranian people and are trying to expose the ugly face of their
abusers. In this war although we have been underdog so far, we are finding
good and determined allies and getting momentum. The area once dominated by
the lobbyist of Islamic Regime has now new contenders. If
they have groups lobbying for unconditional relation with a terrorist regime,
we have organizations like MEHR that lobby for Iranian People and link all
relations to complete observation of human rights in Iran. If they have some
member of congress and scholars to appease the Islamic Regime, we have now
Congresswomen Loretta Sanchez, Dr. Michael Rubin, Congressman Lantos,
Congressman Berman, to be congresswomen Katrina Swett and many others on our
side. If they have Exxon, Shell, and the rest of the crew on their side to
influence the foreign policy of the US, we have the power of our votes and we
have other strong allies who have already proposed a blue print for the US
foreign policy with respect to Iran in Resolution 306.” The
full text of these speeches will be distributed shortly after the Persian
translations are ready. |