Not only have the Biden Administration, the EU, and the UN have been silent in the face of the Iranian regime's increasing human rights violations, but just a few days after the regime executed two young men, Yousef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare, for "blasphemy," Iran was rewarded by being appointed chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council 2023 Social Forum, as well as being handsomely compensated by the European Union.
The grotesque move prompted The Telegraph to headline, "Iran human rights role 'like granting Bin Laden a Nobel Peace Prize.'"
As if to underscore this triumph, right after the UN appointment, Iran's regime on May 19 proceeded to execute three more men -- Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi and Saeed Yaghoubi – for having participated in anti-regime protests.
"The world should be enraged over #Iran's executions of #MajidKazemi, #SaeedYaghoubi & #SalehMirhashemi," the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee tweeted.
"The regime may believe the world isn't watching as it terrorizes citizens into silence. We all must support those who stand by the Iranian people in the face of this brutality."
The suppression and execution of political prisoners and those who protest against the ruling mullahs of Iran has once again been on the rise. "Authorities Execute Over 60 People in Past 2 Weeks," Human Rights Watch wrote.
"The Iranian authorities' dramatic escalation of executions in recent weeks is a serious violation of the right to life and should bring international condemnation... Since late April, the Iranian authorities have executed at least 60 people, including an Iranian-Swedish national on alleged terror-related charges. Many were executed after unfair trials or for charges, such as drug offenses as well and two executions for 'blasphemy,' that under international law should never result in the death penalty."
Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition to Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres to remove the Iranian regime from chairing the U.N. Human Rights Council Forum. The petition states:
"No Joke: The Islamic Republic of Iran has just been appointed Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council 2023 Social Forum. This year's theme is technology and promotion of human rights; Iran's regime just hanged Yousef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare for using social media to criticize religion. Expel the Ayatollah's murderous regime!"
"I am at a loss to understand what has happened to the UN," one person commented under the petition. "They seem to have completely lost touch with reality."
The European Union's charter stresses:
"Human rights are at the heart of EU relations with other countries and regions. The European Union is based on a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law worldwide."
Some of Iran's major trading partners are, in fact, members of the European Union. According to Mehr News Agency:
"Iran and the European Union's 27 member states traded €4.36 billion worth of goods during the first 10 months of 2022, registering a 14.28% rise compared with last year's corresponding period... Germany was the top trading partner of Iran in the EU region during the period, as the two countries exchanged over €1.6 billion worth of goods, 15.44% more than in a similar period of the year before. Italy came next with €555.39 million worth of trade with Iran to register an 11.14% year-on-year rise.... the Netherlands with €351.94 million (down 10.76%) and Spain with €296.06 million (up 13.12%) were Iran's other major European trade partners."
So, Germany, which preaches about human rights and its "feminist foreign policy," has actually increased its business with Iran, even as the mullahs are brutally crushing women who are fighting tyranny and risking their lives to have freedom.
Fox News reported on May 23:
Former Vice President Mike Pence and 107 other former world leaders on Tuesday signed a letter to President Joe Biden and his counterparts in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe calling on the West to adopt a tougher approach to Iran and support Iranian anti-government protesters demanding regime change.
"We believe it is time to hold the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran to account for its crimes," the letter states. "We urge your nations to stand with the Iranian people in their quest for change and to take decisive steps against the current regime. This includes blacklisting the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and holding regime officials accountable for their crimes against humanity."
It is abhorrent and unacceptable that the EU and the UN keep propping up a regime that is a world leader in executions and violations of human rights -- and that will not hesitate to use its nuclear weapons capability as well as the threat of it.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a business strategist and advisor, Harvard-educated scholar, political scientist, board member of Harvard International Review, and president of the International American Council on the Middle East. He has authored several books on Islam and US Foreign Policy. He can be reached at Dr.Rafizadeh@Post.Harvard.Edu
Ruth Broch