Sir, – This week the red carpet has been rolled out in Europe for President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, specifically because he came to town with billions of newly freed up hard currency to spend as an outcome of the nuclear deal. Judging from Lara Marlowe's excellent coverage (January 27th and 29th) of the Paris stage of the trip, one subject barely broached during official discussions was the question of Iran's appalling domestic human rights record.
It is, of course, absurd to think that big business, in the course of negotiating mega-deals, would look out for the interests of Iran’s citizens who are suffering at the hands of their own government. But the governments of some western countries are centrally involved in making these business possibilities happen. Up to recently, it was also these same governments that were highly critical of Iran for its abuse of human rights law.
It was they who supported the most recent United Nations reports, in particular that of the secretary general last December and the report of the special rapporteur for human rights in Iran. Both describe an appalling experience for journalists, ethnic and religious minorities, homosexuals and many other groupings and individuals. Bahá’is, Iran’s largest religious minority, have seen their situation worsen in recent times and they are not alone. Christians have also fared badly.
No one bemoans the emergence of détente and agreement, the opening up of markets, the easing of the economic situation for the Iranian people and the consequent benefits for western commerce. But why stop talking about Iran’s human rights record now that there is more openness and perhaps even more possibility of finding a listening ear? – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN McNAMARA,
Douglas,
Cork.