US-Iran Talks On Nuclear Program Criticized for Overlooking Human Rights Issues
As discussions between the US and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear agenda commence, there are growing criticisms over the lack of attention to human rights, particularly concerning religious freedoms.
Despite Iran’s commitments to international treaties safeguarding religious freedoms, and provisions within its own constitution for religious minorities, violations persist. Christians, Sunni Muslims, and other minority groups face ongoing threats, including harassment, asset confiscation, imprisonment, torture, and even extrajudicial executions.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) highlighted Pastor Joseph Shahbazian’s case, who was recently denied the right to attend his mother’s funeral. This denial occurred despite the completion of an official investigation into him. Reports suggest his wife may also have been detained, as she was notably absent from the funeral.
These diplomatic discussions are taking place in Oman, where Iranian representatives are meeting US officials to deliberate on the nuclear issue.
Khataza Gondwe, CSW’s director of advocacy, voiced concerns: “The seeming omission of urgent human rights concerns in these initial discussions with the Iranian government follows a concerning pattern of the international community neglecting to utilise suitable opportunities to press the regime to uphold international human rights obligations which it agreed to uphold voluntarily.
“We urge the US government to ensure that pressing human rights issues are no longer overlooked in subsequent dialogues, and to call on the government of Iran to respect, protect and fulfil the rights and freedoms articulated within the ICCPR for all citizens, including the right to freedom of religion or belief.”
Beyond religious freedom violations, Iran faces broad criticism for other human rights abuses. The UN has renewed the mandate of its Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, citing ongoing violations. Last year, a political dissident was executed after being abducted from a neighboring nation, and CSW reports indicate that nine Kurdish political prisoners were also executed.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
