Motahari: Some European Criticisms of Human Rights in Iran are Valid

The Vice President of the Islamic Consultative Assembly reacted to opposition and concerns regarding the reopening of the European Union office in Iran, stating that "a government with a strong popular base should not be worried about the establishment of such offices." He also acknowledged that some European criticisms regarding human rights violations in Iran are valid. Ali Motahari made these remarks on Saturday, November 13, in an interview with the Iranian Labor News Agency, ILNA, adding that the Islamic Republic should not be "afraid" of establishing such an office. He described the EU's performance in nuclear negotiations with Iran as "good" and noted that the establishment of the EU office is not exclusive to Iran. According to him, the EU has offices in many countries, and concerns about establishing this office in Iran stem from human rights issues. Motahari divided the topic of human rights into two parts: "Islamic rulings" and "common human affairs," stating that Islamic rulings are "not debatable and are not understandable for them [the West]." In the opinion of this parliament member, "we have fundamental differences in the discussion of human rights with the Western world. Where we have fundamental disagreements, they cannot be resolved; such as the ruling of Qisas (retribution) and generally Islamic rulings." The Vice President of the Parliament also confirmed that "Europeans may have criticisms regarding the observance of human rights in Iran, some of which I believe are correct." Motahari added, "We must accept valid human rights criticisms, and if there is a valid criticism, we must acknowledge it and not be stubborn." Regarding some concerns about the performance of the EU office in Iran, he said, "We cannot prejudge before the opening of this office." He also added that if this office wants to "comment on human rights issues, we should also do the same regarding European countries." Following the announcement of the potential reopening of the EU office in Tehran, a wave of opposition to its establishment has emerged from a group of conservatives and Friday prayer leaders over the past week. Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, announced on November 7 that internal procedures for reopening the EU office in Tehran were underway, after which a group of Friday prayer leaders explicitly opposed the establishment of such offices. These clerics protested the potential opening of the EU office in Tehran during Friday prayers on November 12 in several cities, calling it a "spy den." On November 26, Mohammad Javad Larijani, Secretary of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Judiciary, stated that the judiciary would not allow the EU to establish an office in Iran. The issue of opening the EU office in Iran, which has been raised for several years, has not been implemented due to these internal oppositions. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, commander of the Basij Organization, referred to the EU as "worse than livestock" in April 2014, telling them: "You are wrong to set up an office in Iran." The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee approved a draft resolution in April 2014 regarding the "EU's strategy towards Iran" and called for the EU to open a representative office in Tehran. The EU currently has embassies and representative offices in 140 countries worldwide and, in a statement released recently, reiterated its willingness to establish its office in Iran. In its statement, the EU expressed hope that through this office, it could deepen cultural, educational, commercial, and environmental relations with Iran and that both sides could have better cooperation on human rights issues.