The nuclear deal conducted between Iran and other “world powers” are being backed by Iranian lawyers, artists and activists in the hope of a “political opening” that was promised to the country, whereby showing the failure of President Hassan Rouhani to deliver the same to its people.
Many well known activists, include people who spent their some time in jail, were banished from work or banned to travel anywhere, joined in a short video clip shooting which were released on media sites, wherein they praised the “July 14 accord” in unison which will “lift” the international nuclear sanctions from Iran which has been agreed upon in return of a strict obeisance of nuclear programme curbs on the country’s part. MohammadrezaJalaeipour, the organiser of the campaign who is also an activist says:
"These video messages show that those who have paid the highest prices for the cause of democracy and human rights in Iran are supporting the deal".
Many of the contents of these videos were aimed at imploring to the U.S Congress for putting their seal of consent on the voting deal that is to take place in the coming month. The argument that they put up was that this is the way out to promote “democracy in Iran”. Moreover, it will prevent the surrender to “Iranian hardline factions” also opposed by them. The director of the film, JafarPanahi moted:
"War and sanctions create crisis, and crisis is the death of democracy, the death of peace and human rights".
The film gathered appreciation from all over the world, although it has been banned within the Iranian geographical boundaries. However, the opposition’s human rights lawyer, NasrinSotoudeh remarked that the hopes of “resolving civil rights issues in Iran” through the deal were “unrealistic”, whereby she told Reuters over the telephone that:
"We are hopeful that the same approach that was adopted by the Iranian government to resolve international animosity, can be used to resolve differences within the country".
The opposition lawmakers congress have rolled up their sleeves and set to “sink the deal” but they will have to “recruit dozens of Democrats” to gain the strength of “two-thirds majority”. Only then would they be capable of overriding the veto issued by President Obama. In fact, some Iranian hardliners too opposed the deal in the parliament. Nevertheless, they do not hold any power to cancel the deal.
From the year of 2009, Iranian reformists were kept at bay from the nation’s political scenario, therefore the “disputed presidential election” was followed by “pre-democracy demonstrations” which was put down by the authorities whereby arresting numerous leaders and barring candidates from taking part in the election”. In short, the activists who formed part of the video along with other associates had to pay “a high price” for it. As a result, as Reuters writes:
“Jalaeipour spent five months in solitary confinement, Panahi was banned from making films and forbidden from traveling in 2010, while Sotoudeh was sentenced to six years in jail in 2010 and banned from practice”.
During the election of 2013, the reformists returned “in force” and elected Rouhani, who “promised to lift social and political restrictions”. However, as per the United Nations, in the month of 2015, the “rights situation” in Iran continues to remain “dire”. Moreover, Jalaeipour informs Reuters:
"Rouhani has focused on external engagement, but now will be expected to use the political capital to fulfill his other promises".
"Hardliners in Iran have benefited, and civil society has suffered, from the standoff with the West."
Source(s): Reuters.com
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/26/us-iran-nuclear-activists-idUSKCN0QV0V620150826
Many well known activists, include people who spent their some time in jail, were banished from work or banned to travel anywhere, joined in a short video clip shooting which were released on media sites, wherein they praised the “July 14 accord” in unison which will “lift” the international nuclear sanctions from Iran which has been agreed upon in return of a strict obeisance of nuclear programme curbs on the country’s part. MohammadrezaJalaeipour, the organiser of the campaign who is also an activist says:
"These video messages show that those who have paid the highest prices for the cause of democracy and human rights in Iran are supporting the deal".
Many of the contents of these videos were aimed at imploring to the U.S Congress for putting their seal of consent on the voting deal that is to take place in the coming month. The argument that they put up was that this is the way out to promote “democracy in Iran”. Moreover, it will prevent the surrender to “Iranian hardline factions” also opposed by them. The director of the film, JafarPanahi moted:
"War and sanctions create crisis, and crisis is the death of democracy, the death of peace and human rights".
The film gathered appreciation from all over the world, although it has been banned within the Iranian geographical boundaries. However, the opposition’s human rights lawyer, NasrinSotoudeh remarked that the hopes of “resolving civil rights issues in Iran” through the deal were “unrealistic”, whereby she told Reuters over the telephone that:
"We are hopeful that the same approach that was adopted by the Iranian government to resolve international animosity, can be used to resolve differences within the country".
The opposition lawmakers congress have rolled up their sleeves and set to “sink the deal” but they will have to “recruit dozens of Democrats” to gain the strength of “two-thirds majority”. Only then would they be capable of overriding the veto issued by President Obama. In fact, some Iranian hardliners too opposed the deal in the parliament. Nevertheless, they do not hold any power to cancel the deal.
From the year of 2009, Iranian reformists were kept at bay from the nation’s political scenario, therefore the “disputed presidential election” was followed by “pre-democracy demonstrations” which was put down by the authorities whereby arresting numerous leaders and barring candidates from taking part in the election”. In short, the activists who formed part of the video along with other associates had to pay “a high price” for it. As a result, as Reuters writes:
“Jalaeipour spent five months in solitary confinement, Panahi was banned from making films and forbidden from traveling in 2010, while Sotoudeh was sentenced to six years in jail in 2010 and banned from practice”.
During the election of 2013, the reformists returned “in force” and elected Rouhani, who “promised to lift social and political restrictions”. However, as per the United Nations, in the month of 2015, the “rights situation” in Iran continues to remain “dire”. Moreover, Jalaeipour informs Reuters:
"Rouhani has focused on external engagement, but now will be expected to use the political capital to fulfill his other promises".
"Hardliners in Iran have benefited, and civil society has suffered, from the standoff with the West."
Source(s): Reuters.com
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/26/us-iran-nuclear-activists-idUSKCN0QV0V620150826
