On July 8, G8 summit participants issued a statement expressing “serious concern” about the Iranian government’s postelection actions; U.S. president Barack Obama characterized the situation as “appalling.” Further, both Obama and French president Nicolas Sarkozy emphasized that Tehran will face serious consequences if Iran has not begun to cooperate on its nuclear program by September. The United States and Europe, meanwhile, should focus on the regime’s latest human rights abuses, signaling to Iranian dissidents that they are not alone and that current or future sanctions are not intended to punish them for a regime that they neither elected nor support. Sanctions are a statement to Iran’s leadership that failure to compromise on outstanding issues — particularly the nuclear program — could erode the regime’s shaky internal legitimacy.
Measures That Governments Can Take
Governments must demonstrate to Iran’s repressive leaders that although dialogue may continue, “business as usual” will not. It is critical that Iranian dissidents know they are not alone in their struggle.
Protection for Baha’is and other minorities
Governments, NGOs and others can and must continue to make their disapproval of Iran’s human rights abuses, according to this Policy Watch from the Washington Institute.
This will be essential for the safety of those in Iran who have publicly stood up for human rights and for minorities, such as the Baha’is, who have long been targeted by the authorities in Iran for persecution.
Read more via washingtoninstitute.org
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Technorati Tags: Bahai, Baha’i, Iran, human rights, governments
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