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Opinions

What Would You Ask Rouhani and Zarif If You Could?

September 14, 2016
Questions for Messrs Rouhani and Zarif
1 min read
What Would You Ask Rouhani and Zarif If You Could?

Next week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will participate in the 71st  session of the UN General Assembly. Speeches by world leaders are scheduled to start on September 20. And, like every other year, they will host news conferences and answer questions from the press.  

Here are the questions I would ask Foreign Minister Zarif if I could — and these are the answers I think he would give. 

by Reza HaghighatNejad

Mr. Zarif, many journalists are still in prison in Iran. Why, contrary to your promises to improve human rights in Iran, does this continue to be the case?

I can say unequivocally that the Iranian judiciary is independent and the government does not interfere with it. But I must also say that we are working with the judiciary towards safeguarding freedom of information. This is a process.

In 2014 and 2015, Iran ranked 173 among 180 countries across the world when it came to press freedom. In 2016 it was 169 among 179 countries. Why has working with the judiciary over the last three years not led to any meaningful change in this situation?

When it comes to human rights, we have witnessed that the West uses the issue as a tool. And there are exaggerations as well. For example, there are people who commit crimes and break the law and then try hide behind the guise of being journalists and political activists.

Mr. Zarif, have you ever come across a case similar to the one you are describing? If so, why have you and the Islamic Republic done nothing to make this case known? Right now, can you think of any example that you would want tell us about?

No comment. 

comments

ALL
September 15, 2016

I would ask so many things! Such a thought-provoking blog!

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