The SubCommitte for Human Rights (DROI), exchange of views with Mohammad Mostafaei, lawyer of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Brussels

exchange of views

Subcommittee on Human Rights

Human rights (T2)

HAUTALA, Heidi (Greens/EFA, FI)

death penalty (T)

Human rights in Iran: extracts of the exchange of views with Mohammad Mostafaei, lawyer of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani

SOUNDBITE (Persian/Farsi), Mohammad MOSATFAEI, lawyer of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, Unfortunatly what goes on in Iran, contrary to other countries is that in Iran a great power is gained through oil and through natural wealth and the government is capable to supress the civil society and the journalists through the power it gains from its natural wealth. The capabilities available to Iran are its national wealth; through that wealth it is able to recruit police, guards. They mobilize forces, so the wealth of the country is being used to promote police activities. They are capable of controlling the situation and suppressing people. With the wealth available to the government, they are also able to buy technology and to use it.

SOUNDBITE (Persian/Farsi), Mohammad MOSATFAEI, lawyer of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, What Mr Obama has done in order to sanction 8 individuals in Iran who are among the main violators of human rights has been a very positive step and it has very positive reflection in Iran. The similar steps could be taken against other violators of human rights and the EU can take the next steps this could be very positive in connection to Iran. there have been talks and negotiations with Iran for many years many conventions have been approved in Iran, the Convention on Child's right has been approved but while this convention has been approved, still we see that children under 18 are being executed. 

SOUNDBITE (Persian/Farsi), Mohammad MOSATFAEI, lawyer of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, In order for Iran to be able to face up the challenges, it is trying to use new methods , the repressive , suppressive methods. Last year execution was to be also incorporated in our law for those who wrote in blogs. I believe that the EU and the UN Security Council should try instead of imposing economic sanctions on Iranian people to impose political sanctions. We never had political sanctions against Iran. Why should the Iranian rulers who are the violators of human rights be able to go abroad , present speeches, to attend various meetings, abroad and to use facilities of other countries, to have their foreign currency accounts opened in other countries to trade and transact ?

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), I think we need to look a the question of travel sanctions, and restrictions from several countries where there are very severe human rights violators who now can freely travel . This should not be possible. So thanks for that reminder.