EU-Iran: Nuclear Must Not Overshadow Human Rights

(Brussels) The EU must address Iran’s widespread human rights violations, says Amnesty International, as Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki meets with EU high officials Javier Solana, Benita Ferrero-Waldner and the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

Amnesty International has just released a report, "New government fails to address dire human rights situation" (available at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maaevWpabor4ebb0hPub/ describing the failure of the new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his government to address the serious ongoing human rights violations.

This report illustrates an apparent intensification of repression over the past six months since the President took office, which includes frequent use of the death penalty and torture, persecution of ethnic and religious minorities and limitations on freedom of speech.

Amnesty International regularly receives new reports of torture and ill treatment of detainees where the denial of medical treatment is increasingly common. The human rights organization is extremely concerned for the safety of journalist Elham Afroutan who has been held incommunicado since 29 January 2006 amid unconfirmed reports that she may be in a coma or may have died while in custody (see also "Concern for Journalist Elham Afroutan" http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maaevWpabor4fbb0hPub/

Between July 2005 and January 2006, Amnesty International recorded 69 executions including those of two alleged minors. Death sentences continue to be imposed for charges such as drinking alcohol or consensual adult sexual relations.

"The EU must not be distracted by the current stand-off surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme," said Dick Oosting, director of Amnesty International’s EU Office "Iran is one of the few countries in the world that continues to execute child offenders. The EU must take this opportunity to demand that Iran introduces a moratorium on the executions of minors."

ABC Online

Germany rejects Iran military option. 14/08/2005. ABC News Online

[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1437072.htm]

Last Update: Sunday, August 14, 2005. 6:20am (AEST)

Gerhard Schroeder says a US threat of force against Iran is unacceptable. (AFP)

Germany rejects Iran military option

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has rejected the threat of military force against Iran, hours after US President George Bush said he would consider it as a last resort to press Tehran to give up its nuclear program.
Iran angered the European Union and the United States by resuming uranium conversion at its Isfahan plant last Monday.
It resumed the work after rejecting a European Union (EU) offer of political and economic incentives in return for giving up its nuclear program.
Mr Schroeder, one of the most prominent European opponents of the US-led war in Iraq, told an election rally in his home city of Hanover that the threat of force was not acceptable.
"I am worried about developments there because no-one can want the Iranian leadership to gain possession of atomic weapons," Mr Schroeder said.
"The Europeans and the Americans are united in this goal. Up to now we were also united in the way to pursue this.
"This morning I read that military options are now on the table. My answer to that is: 'Dear friends in Europe and America, let us work out a strong negotiating position. But let's take the military option off the table. We have seen it doesn't work'," he said.
'All options on table'

The comments came after Mr Bush told Israeli television that "all options are on the table", including the use of force.
Mr Bush added that he was "sceptical" that Europe's diplomatic approach to Iran would work.
Tehran says it aims only to produce electricity and denies Western accusations it is seeking a nuclear bomb.
Mr Schroeder's opposition to the Iraq war was seen as a decisive factor in his unexpected victory in the 2002 general election, which he won narrowly after coming from behind.
His critical stance caused serious ruptures in Germany's traditionally strong relations with the United States.
He faces another election this September.
Mr Schroeder's Social Democrats are currently lagging the opposition conservatives but the latter's lead has shrunk in recent weeks.
-Reuters

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Iran Revolutionary Guards say Merkel thinks she is Hitler

Wed. 08 Feb 2006

Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Feb. 08 – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps have said that German Chancellor Angela Merkel sees herself as former German dictator Adolf Hitler.

The IRGC’s spokesman, Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, told the Persian-language website Hemaseh, “The way Europe is dealing with the case of Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy program shows the weaknesses and uselessness of countries such as Britain, France, and Germany. This weakness is in particular clearly noticeable in speeches by newcomers such as the German Chancellor”.

“Merkel in her childish dreams imagines herself as Hitler and therefore thinks that now that she is leaning against the Chancellorship’s chair she can give orders to the world and free countries”, Jazayeri said.

“From individuals who have a Zionist background nothing less is expected”, the IRGC spokesman added.

In Munich on Saturday, Merkel compared hard-line Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Hitler.

Commenting on Iran’s likely intent to acquire nuclear weapons, Merkel said that the world must not repeat the mistakes it made in appeasing the Nazis.

“Looking back to German history in the early 1930s when National Socialism was on the rise, there were many outside Germany who said, ‘It’s only rhetoric — don’t get excited”, she said

“Iran has blatantly crossed the red line”, she added.

“I say this as a German chancellor, a president who questions Israel’s right to exist, a president who denies the Holocaust cannot expect to receive any tolerance from Germany.”

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