The Impact of the Nuclear Agreement on Human Rights and Civil Society

What impact has the nuclear agreement had on the state of human rights and civil society in Iran, and are the consequences of this agreement felt within the country? Nasrin Sotoudeh has shared her assessment on this matter in an interview with Radio Farda. Nasrin Sotoudeh is a lawyer and social activist in Iran. She was arrested following the protests over the results of the 2009 presidential election and spent three years in Evin Prison. During her imprisonment, she, along with Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, was named by the European Parliament as the recipient of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2012. A question that arises both inside and outside Iran is whether the effects of this agreement, which have been observed outside Iran, are also tangible within the country. When we raise this issue, we should consider two points. One is whether the government, as the initiator and manager of this agreement, has all the powers to address internal and international issues, including human rights and civil society. I believe we should recognize a diluted and relative authority for the government in this regard. However, this raises the question of whether the government is devoid of responsibility for all human rights violations, to which the answer is certainly negative. In any case, the government is an official power and must be accountable for issues occurring in society. On the other hand, when we look at the results of this agreement, as you mentioned, it has left effects on the international stage. At the very least, it halted the trend of international hostility. I want to say that it may have had a similar role in internal issues. That is, it maintained the increasing trend. Prisoners were not released, house arrest was not lifted, and executions continued as before, but the rate of these human rights violations did not increase. In a way, it has remained stable. One issue that was raised during the negotiations and even when the agreement was reached was that this agreement might have a counterproductive effect in the early years within Iran, particularly in the realm of civil society or political and social freedoms. Are you suggesting that at least the situation has not worsened? Perhaps we can say that the situation has not worsened. In this context, I insist on mentioning not only the issue of political prisoners and the house arrest of three leaders of the Green Movement but also the issue of executions, which plays a significant role in creating widespread social fear in all societies. I also want to mention the issue of executions of individuals under eighteen, which unfortunately has seen an increasing rate over the past decade. The rate of executions in the past year has not changed after the agreement was ratified, while you know that we have had the highest statistics in the last four decades in the past year. If any of us participated in the elections for various reasons, thinking about strengthening the government or voting, we should not cover up the realities to support the government. In my opinion, this is a false support. We must lay all the problems on the table and then think about solutions for these problems. No one can turn a blind eye to widespread executions and executions of individuals under eighteen simply because they support a particular government. Naturally, my recommendation, as someone who plays a role in civil society, is to see the realities of society candidly and, of course, to think about solutions to those problems. Certainly, we all know that solving these problems requires time and wisdom. Ms. Sotoudeh, you mentioned executions. After all, we know that this is an area where you have been active for years. Over the past year, given that Iran's voice has been louder in the international community, it seems there have been some movements within to discuss reducing the rate of executions, not issuing death sentences for certain crimes, and treating them differently. How do you evaluate such discussions? These discussions have not yet found any footing in the parliament. As a law-educated individual, I can only comment on these promises and threats when at least they have been raised in a public session of the parliament, a decision has been made regarding them, and I know that the law is in the process of being ratified. Otherwise, it can even be viewed pessimistically as promises made to alleviate international pressures. The new parliament has just come into power. Do you have hope that with the new composition, changes will occur in this process? Not only do I have hope, but I also believe that one of the civil society's tasks is to approach these centers and seriously request them to work towards passing relevant laws to reduce executions. You mentioned that you are an active member of civil society in Iran. Civil society is, after all, engaged with many complex issues, such as the issue of executions, along with other issues like environmental concerns. This is the case in all societies. Over the time we have passed during Mr. Rouhani's government after the nuclear agreement, do you see at least a life, a continuity in this civil society in other areas? Yes. You pointed out a very important point. Not all issues revert to problems related to power positions. Some of them pertain to the daily lives of individuals and the community. We cannot deny that, for example, in the past three years, the field of animal rights activism in Iran has gained momentum, and they have been able to raise some of their issues using technology and social media, prompting the government to consider solutions to those issues. Yes, it must be said that at certain levels, civil society has been able to raise some goals that are far removed from the power issue.