Bloody protests have characterized Iran for two weeks. It was the murder of a young woman in the custody of the Iranian morality police that ignited the popular fury against the clergy. The authorities see the protesters as instigators, people who want to create chaos and destabilize Iran. They believe they are supported by foreign powers. This often means countries such as Israel and the United States. So far, at least 76 protesters have been killed by the police forces in the country. This has caused Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Ap) to condemn the Iranian authorities’ use of violence. She will continue the political and diplomatic dialogue with them to address human rights violations and promote respect for human rights. But parliamentary politician Mahmoud Farahmand (H) wants sharper reactions to human rights violations. He was born in Iran and came to Norway as an 8-year-old. Now he wants to punish everyone who is connected to the clergy in Norway. – Their funds must be frozen and access to the kingdom restricted. This is how we send clear signals that we do not accept the regime’s behavior – and that we support everyone who works for a liberal society in Iran. Iran is ruled by Islamic scribes with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as supreme leader. The religious leaders are above the president in rank. The Ayatollah can overrule decisions made by the president and has the decisive say in the design of domestic and foreign policy. In the last two weeks, all of Iran’s 31 provinces have experienced demonstrations and slogans about regime change. Many Iranians now call it a revolution. Photo: AFP Following the UN and the EU And it is not only leaders of the Islamic Republic who will be affected. Farahmand wants the proposal to also apply to their families. – We know that many of their children live in Western countries such as Norway and live free lives, while women in Iran are forced to cover up, experience torture and are killed. This is not worthy of a liberal democracy. Instead, we should consider confiscating the assets and properties they have acquired with money stolen from the Iranian people and expel them from the country, he says. But the foreign minister rejects Farahmand’s proposal. Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt met Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, at the UN General Assembly in New York this week, where topics included women’s rights and the investigation into the murder of Mahsa Amini. Photo: Ragnhild Håland Simenstad / Ministry of Foreign Affairs She says that Norway adheres to the UN and EU’s old sanctions against Iran. Therefore, among other things, it is forbidden to sell equipment to the country that can be used for internal repression. But she goes on to say that Norway should not have its own measures. – It is not Norwegian policy to unilaterally adopt such sanctions. Sanctions and restrictive measures are most effective when adopted by several countries. And since neither the UN nor the EU have come up with new measures, no new measures against the clergy are expected with the government’s policy. Indifferent to the tyrant Farahmand believes it is to be indifferent to the Iranians’ struggle. He says that indifference in the face of tyrants has never been the solution. – It has never worked and will never work. To explain how the Norwegian authorities should rather proceed, he recalls the prosecution of the criminals after the Holocaust. – Even those who were on guard at the concentration camps are prosecuted to this day, he points out, and sharpens his voice: – It is the same that must happen to the Iranian regime. They must be pursued from redoubt to redoubt, until the last baton holder in the street is taken. Then – and only then – will the Iranian regime and its henchmen understand the consequences of their actions.
ttn-69
Will punish people connected to the Iranian clergy – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
