U.S. Needs Stronger Response to Human Rights Violations in Iran

Frederick Roth / September 21, 2010

Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979 produced the current Islamic republic, university students in the country have been on the frontlines of speaking out against the repressive measures of the Ayatollahs’ government. This week an exhibit at Georgetown University’s Law Center is showcasing portraits of Iranian students who have taken action and suffered for the cause of justice and human rights. The last 30 years of Iranian history are marked with injustices, especially against the liberties of speech and education, including, for example, the Cultural Revolution of 1980–82 that shut down Iranian universities, the mass political executions of 1988, the student protests and 18th of Tir disaster in 1999, and the post-election protests and violence of 2009.

Simply because they speak critically of the Iranian government, students continue to suffer countless abuses. For baseless charges such as organizing illegal gatherings, propaganda against the Islamic Republic, acting against national security, and enmity toward God, dormitories have been raided and burned, and students have been arrested or barred from university studies. Students are tried and convicted without being given the right to an attorney; moreover, thousands have been interrogated, beaten, or killed. As Americans, we must sympathize with those who speak and work for freedom, and further we should ask what our own Administration is doing to advance the cause of liberty in Iran. Shamefully, the answer is “not enough.” (more…)