OUTSIDE WORLD MUST CONTINUE TALKING TO IRAN: COPITHORNE
By Safa Haeri
GENEVA 5 Apr. (IPS) "Changes that are taking place in Iran are inevitable and nothing can stop them. But when and how these changes would signify the end of the present regime, this is every one’s guess", said the special Representative of the United Nations for Human Rights in the Islamic Republic.
Speaking during an interview in Geneva with Iran Press Service, Mr. Maurice Copithorne also confirmed that the situation of human rights in Iran had got worse during the presidency of President Mohammad Khatami, whom he described as having been "discredited with the people".
Here are excerpts from the interview.
Iran Press Service – What are the highlights of your report to the Human Rights Commission this year?
Maurice Copithorne - The report, which is compiled in four sections, observes that in general, the situation of human rights and violations of individual’s freedoms have not changes, that journalists continue to be arrested and imprisoned, newspape4rs shut and dissidents harassed, that the situation of women certainly has not changed, the laws concerning the marriage of little girls are still there, though a bill is in the parliament to change it, minorities still suffer, except of very, very little sign of improvement, it is impossible for a multicultural society as Iran without much inclusive policies…
IPS - You said earlier in an a press conference that you recommend to outside world not to intervene in Iran, not to author any change, what do you mean exactly and what is your recommendation to the outside world?
M C - I actually in terms of recommendations, I said the outside world can criticise, encourage, maybe provide assistance, but I don’t think it can credit for the fundamental changes that are taking place in Iran.
Because of political struggle in Iran, there is a lack of political will for the regime to accept changes and the government lacks possibilities to bring changes. The outside world could continue to talk about Iran, which is a country of concern, even in human rights terms, and it is a country of strategic position. There is no one easy recommendation to make to this end.
IPS – We have in the one hand the European approach based on dialogue, which they called it critical or constructive and the US one that call for bold actions and economic sanctions. Which one of these two methods you, as a person and not the Representative of the United Nations, who, for six years, has watched Iran constantly, think is better to bring changes in Iran?
M C – As they are political judgments, it is very difficult to say in advance witch one of the two is correct, may be history can tell…
The argument is played in the case of many countries, China, for instance. With regard to Iran, I believe that we ought not close the door. I think Iran is an important country, in term of geography; it sits right in the middle of everything, of connections between so many countries and cultures, it has oil, which is important, for the appetite for oil is real, I don’t think it can be ignored, and it should not, nor being isolated. I think we have to continue to talk and engage Iran
IPS – You receive and compile so many reports on Iran. We, as journalists, we hear from Iran that Mr. Khatami and the reformists around him are "depasses", do no more represent the real reformists, that their date of use is finished. The same reports also suggest that Europe should no more address Mr. Khatami as the leader of the reformists, for true reformists are either in prison or silenced by the regime. Do you share these views; do you receive the same kind of opinions?
M C – I certainly regularly get this kind of views coming from people outside and inside Iran saying the President is no more credible with the people. All I can say this that I do understand the frustration of the young people, the students who had been crushed in 1999, and I think the current event that is a successor to the student demonstrations of July 99 is the present movements of teachers throughout the country. These actions represent people’s general dissatisfaction of the regime.
IPS – Some Iranian and international NGOs say as far as the human rights situation is concerned, the last year was one of the worst in Iran that was presided by a so-called moderate and reformist President. What is your comment on that?
M C – It is quite clear from my statement that the situation has not improved. As far as tortures, stoning, violation of the rights of human beings is concerned, I can say that nothing has changed for the better, at least..
IPS – What are your expectations then?
M C – My expectations are very clear: That changes are inevitable. They cannot be stopped. When and how they would come about, my guesses are not better than any bone else’s. Now, obviously, it ranges from a peaceful to a non-peaceful transition to a more democratic and human rights oriented society. But I have no a crystal bowl to see how the changes would come, peacefully or not.
IPS – Recently Present Bush characterised Iran as an evil State. Do you think it can affect changes in Iran?
M C – No doubt that any time you have such a threats against any country, the immediate result is for the people to rally around the flag in reaction and the opponents and dissidents get also in line with the regime, becoming loyal. This is exactly what happened in Iran. ENDS IRAN COPITHORNE 5402