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Ettehade Jomhourikhahan-e Iran (EJI) P R O P O S E S A P L A T F O R M for A DEMOCRATIC AND SECULAR REPUBLIC IN IRAN |
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President of the European Parliament
Mr. Pat Cox European Parliament 12
May, 2004
Honourable President of the European Parliament, Dear Mr. Cox, We
would like to start by expressing our sincere appreciation for your efforts in
promoting democracy and human rights in Iran and we are grateful for your
continuous support in the future. Conflicting reports from Iran and lack of commitment in
implementation of international treaties on the part of Iranian authorities have
considerably raised the level of concern amongst all Iranians, particularly
those who have been victim of these violations. Even
though we reaffirm European Union's position regarding nuclear issue in Iran,
but consideration and emphasizing on human values and dignity in the judicial
system and observing human right standards in treatment and interacting with the
democratic opposition are also of much importance to us. Unfortunately lack of
consistency in EU policies on maintaining the commitment by
the Iranian government in respecting human rights and international
treaties as a non negotiable condition , has allowed Islamic Republic of Iran to
take advantage of this lack of resolve on EU’s part and disregard basic human
rights of its citizens.
Policy of silence and leaving the clear human right violations by Iranian
government aside by UNHRC which in itself is a vote of confidence by this
international body as to the behaviour of Islamic Republic of Iran towards its
citizens is a clear example of the kind of policies that condones inhumane
treatment of political opposition and social activist in Iran. Here are a few
instances which have evolved and developed as Iranian government has become
bolder in its suppressive tactics as a result of indifference by the
international community and Western democracies in particular: 1)
Re instating death penalty for Dr. Hashem Aqajari, the University professor
charged with blasphemy. 2) Long
term jail sentences of four to seven years for journalists and editors of "Irane
Farda" and "Omide Zanjaan" publications. All 3 have been
detained for over a year and recently were informed of their charges and
sentences without due process and right of presenting their case in a humane
dignified manner. The type of behaviour displayed by the Iranian government is
obvious violation of international laws and regulations in face of the
international community. 3) The sentence of 18 months jail
against Ensafali, Hedayat, an independent reporter who was arrested last January
on his return to Iran from Berlin, where he attended our the founding
conference, (the Unity for a Democratic and Secular Republic in Iran), and was
jailed in Tabriz. We respect
the policy of dialog and open lines of communications with Iran. What worries us
is the overwhelming attention of European Union focus merely on the issue
of nuclear proliferation and Iranian government's compliance with those
treaties, resulting human rights issues to become a secondary issue and
ignored in the political process. We can not emphasize enough on the importance
of human rights and promotion of democracy and their vital role in helping
this region to have peace and stability and prevent growth
of violence as the only available form of opposition which will endanger
western interests as well as the interest of the people of these countries such
as ours.
We are hopeful that you understand our predicament and do not deny us
your support and assistance in enabling our people in their peaceful and
democratic effort to regain their basic human rights. We are pleading our case
to you and exasperatedly ask you to hold the Iranian government accountable for
it's domestic policies regarding human rights and make it obligatory for the
Islamic Republic of Iran to meet the demand of the world community in abolition
of death penalty. Yours Sincerely, Dr. Mehran Barati-Novbari Drs. Pantea Modiri |
Contact us at:Jomhouri- DC (EJI)P. O. Box 813 Herndon, VA 20172 USAFax: (1) 703- 991- 3059Or in Europe:P.O. Box. 94638, 1090 GP Amsterdam, HollandFax: (31)-20-774 66 03
Send mail to international@jomhouri.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
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