We're not done with Iran. First of all, of course, because of Sakineh, who has been granted a new stay of execution but remains imprisoned, in solitary confinement, like her own son. And the sentence may be executed at any moment. The summum of ignominiousness, the local presiding justice of Tabriz had the gall to declare that Sakineh is in good health. But because of two other affairs (I don't dare say two new affairs, for they are known and have been going on, the one and the other, for several months now) that have been little discussed, far too little, when they are just as indicative of the blindness, the cowardice, and the absence of democratic reflexes of the West when confronted with Iran.
The first concerns World Philosophy Day, organized every November by UNESCO and which, it has been decided, will be held this year in -- Tehran! Before the incredulousness and disturbance the news caused in philosophical circles, the organizers attempted to duck the issue by scheduling a pre-opening, in Paris, on November 18th, followed by a series of meetings in the days thereafter in Mexico, Tunis, or Dakar. But they did not go so far as to cancel the days in Tehran. So, if things remain as they are, one will philosophize from November 21st to 23rd in one of the world's capitals of fanaticism and tyranny.
We'll discuss "theory and practice" -- the theme of these day sessions -- in a country where, in August 2009, after demonstrations against the fraudulent elections, humanities were banished from the universities' curriculum. We shall debate the means of progressing towards excellence -- another theme of these days -- under the presidency of a "thinker" (Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel) whose greatest accomplishment is to have married his daughter to the son of the Supreme Guide, and in the presence of two others (Mohammad-Javad Larijani and the Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi) who have to their credit little more in the way of philosophical titles than, for the former, a subtle theory on the relative "humanity" of death by stoning and, for his colleague, a delicate analysis of the Jewish "race", described as "the most corrupt in the world".
And I'm not even mentioning the fact that serious contemporary Iranian philosophers such as Ramin Jahanbegloo, Daryoush-Ashouri, and Mohammad-Reza Nikfar, are all forbidden to speak in their country and will therefore be replaced -- it's official -- by colleagues who come exclusively from the holy city of Qom. Pinch me, I'm dreaming. The Ubuesque aspect of the situation leaves one dumbstruck. Yet that is what will happen if 1) the 400 foreign philosophers who have been invited (the list of whom is kept secret to avoid the pressure of boycotters) do not have the elementary dignity to cancel, or if 2) the Director of UNESCO (whose election, and I know a little about it, inspired such hope just a year ago) does not very rapidly take the decision to delay until the after-Ahmadinejad a manifestation that, for the moment, can only sanction a regime that censures, exiles, imprisons and assassinates free thought. It is not as though it would be the first of UNESCO's moral disasters, but this one would be impressive. With ridicule added to dishonor, it is by no means certain the organization would recover from it.
The second affair concerns the creation of UN Women, this new United Nations agency charged with promoting the cause of women in the world and where the Asian region chose a representative of the Iranian government as one of the 41 members of the board of directors destined to pilot the thing. Truth compels one to say that the Asia group proposed another country whose choice would scarcely have been better: Pakistan. Worse still, it seems that, in the contingent of delegates reserved for so-called "donor" countries is a third whose presence in this conclave is scarcely less incongruous -- Saudi Arabia.
But Iran! The country of Neda and Sakineh charged with promoting the advancement of women's rights. One of the last places in the world where adulteresses are condemned to stoning, assigned to champion gender equality and the struggle against discrimination. It sounds like a joke. Or even a provocation. But no, this is reality. This is the state of the balance of power at the United Nations, one we have already seen operate in the composition of the Human Rights Commission as well as at Durban 1 and 2. And it is, in this case, a slap in the face to every woman on the planet, spitting in the faces of the most humiliated and tormented among them.
It is an insult to common sense and an affront to simple decency. It is the guarantee that, what's more, this new agency is, from now on, paralyzed, and therefore stillborn. Call the ex-President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet who, after a good deal of dithering, accepted the direction of this thing, for her to use her influence to refute this ridiculous nomination. Appeal to Ban Ki-Moon, from whom, strangely, we have not heard during the entire Sakineh affair. He should, without delay, put what remains of his authority in the balance to block a decision whose inconsistency would draw smiles were it not potentially tragic. An Iranian commissioner in an agency dealing with women's rights is like a Pol-Potian responsible for human rights or a neo-Nazi guiding the fight against antisemitism. The United Nations cannot eternally play with the worst. We are nearing the moment when, from little arrangements to great back-downs, from cultural concessions to totalitarian power grabs, the institution itself will be ready for the scrap heap.
Edward Said a “real philosopher” once said, “I have been unable to live an uncommitted or suspended life. I have not hesitated to declare my affiliation with an extremely unpopular cause.”
Col. Lawrence Wilkerson (Chief of Staff to the former Secretary of State Collin Powell) on Russia Today television:
“We do this through surrogates and we do this through non-governmental organizations and we do it through people who are less suspecting of the evil that may lurk behind their actions than perhaps they were before. Have we learned some lessons in that regards? You bet. Do we do it better? You bet. Is it still just as heinous as it always was? You bet.”
On a new American concept for regime change, "democracy promotion", one that certainly sounds better, fools more people, and is easier to stomach.
Iran is certainly not perfect, but there are more periodicals published there from various perspectives that the electorate in the US can dream of. Iran has an exemplary health care delivery system, education system, etc. And I repeat, the Iranian people democratically voted for this system and every election since has been freely held within the confines of the system. Thanks to the sanctions, Iran has become historically and impressively self sufficient. All to preserve its independence.
There will not be another color revolution in Iran. Iran already had an Imperialist- delivered color revolution, the “White Revolution”. And of course, if you are going to dismiss every revolution and quest for independence from hegemonic powers, the American Revolution, the French Revolution, as persecution complex, then I guess I don’t have a response to that.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/irans-mourning-mothers-must-be-released-20100111
Amnesty International has urged the Iranian authorities to release a group of women who were beaten and arrested during a peaceful vigil in Tehran at the weekend.
The 33 women, members of a group known as the 'Mourning Mothers', were seized during their weekly meeting in Laleh Park, Tehran on Saturday, according to media reports. Several of the women were beaten and 10 were taken to hospital.
The 'Mourning Mothers' are women whose children have been killed, disappeared or detained in post-election violence in Iran since last June, and their supporters. All 33 women are now being held in Vozara Detention Centre, Tehran.
No need to echo the grim news from Iran as we are saturated by, at times real, always exaggerated, and often fabricated “news” of human rights abuses in Iran by the anti-Iran propaganda machine. As I have said before, Iran’s human rights record is certainly not perfect and there are certain elements within and outside of the Iranian government that have and continue to mistreat dissidents. What I am trying to help you see, however, is to ensure that your perceived naiveté is not exploited by those with nefarious intentions (war with Iran) through a total demonization of Iran not based on facts. You should also know that Amnesty International is a pro-Israel organization that is transparently selective in whose human rights it focuses on (Not unlike BHL) and is another tool in fulfilling the Israel/US agenda on Iran.
I do not know about the veracity of this latest report you refer to (many of these reports are filed by seriously questionable sources that but for the fact that they are about Iran, they would not pass lowest journalistic and other legitimate reporting muster), but if true, I certainly condemn it.
Since you like to talk about human rights in Iran, … Kahrizak defendants in Iran were sentenced to death while not a single official in the US has been held accountable for the atrocities (including rape) in Abu Gharib. Why aren’t you crying foul for that?
Iran signed the NPTreaty. Israel has not.
There is no verifiable proof that Iran is enriching uranium beyond the level that they are legally able.
Israel and the U.S. are not interested in women's rights in Iran
The babbling baboons of bubbleheadland are always screeching and squawking about whatever Ahmadinejad does or says which means they are clueless as to who really runs Iran.
It is important to remember Iran has never attacked another country which is a trait that the U.S. Government should acquire.
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I wonder if Hillary is aware that the Israelis are making a fool of her???!!! Of course, that is the price one must pay when one is a lackey for AIPAC!!!
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The Obama/Bush White House has given in on extending the Bush tax cuts for 2% of the wealthiest Americans at a cost of a trillion dollars. The Robber Barons have won again and the country keeps moving faster toward that gaping financial black hole!!!
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From 1998 to 2008 America lost 21% of its manufacturing jobs to outsourcing.
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Bernanke of the Fed Reserve is planning to give billions more to the corporate financial markets and guess what they will be doing with it???!!! Playing swindle games like Russian Roulette with the peoples money, investing overseas and giving themselves billions in bonuses
I know that the poster of the article, Levy, was one of the people behind France's burqa ban, so not exactly the best person to talk about muslims and women's rights IMO
Instead of resorting to insults and ad hominem attacks (see comment below camparing me to an old dog who cannot be taught new tricks) why don’t you try to provide a rational response?
You can obviously think what you wish, but while I personally hope for some form of a secular democracy for Iran that takes into account the unique Iranian cultural perspectives, I first and foremost support the democratic will of the Iranian people, even if it is not what I wish for.
No doubt an ideal level of personal and political freedom is not present in Iran as in many many other countries. People like you, however, not understanding that the reason Iran is demonized by the West and Israel is its independence and its apposition to Israel , are contributing to this demonization and perhaps even an eventual war and destruction of Iran so that it can look like Iraq and Afghanistan. This is truly unfortunate.
There is a media campaign to make it sound necessary to start a wa r with Iran. A lot of people are disgutsed with the lies for trying to make it sound necessary and urgent to start the next wa r (of course indirectly), and I would think that it is very clear that the majority of comments are about this issue. And the big question is, is this next wa r (with Iran) necessary or is would it be a huge blunder and for many reasons?
Per their comments, I do agree there are some commenters who support the government of Isl. Rep., and it seems they are a minority her at Huff. Post. And, some other commenters have expressed Iran to be left alone no matter who is in power, as long as they haven't attacked anyone and started a wa r.
9:45am
Arlington, VA
Why do several commenters here insist that Mr. Levy has an ulterior motive for criticizing the appointees to UN Women? Is is unthinkable that a man can be concerned about the rights of women?
Well, I am a 60-year-old woman and I agree with him. Great article Mr. Levy.
As for whether the decision had anything to do with Iran ’s “rich history of repression” as you put it, the answer is of course not. Iran ’s history of repression is certainly no richer than many many other countries, including Saudi Arabia , Egypt , and Israel (with regards to Palestinians). Do you honestly think that an Egyptian bid for holding this event in Cairo would have faced this kind of opposition? And when you, a pseudo philosopher with a pro-Israel agenda like Bernard Levy, and the like, refer to Iran ’s “rich history of repression” it is obvious to me that this is nothing but an attempt to fulfill a dark political agenda.
The Islamic Republic from its inception, regardless of all of its shortcomings, has encouraged equal level of education for men and women. Of course, there have always been fringe elements among the clergy and other consequential classes, who believe differently and have tried to push their agenda. The official policy, however, and the one that has prevailed, is the policy that has provided women with at least an equal opportunity to become educated. It is that simple and no amount of anti-Iran propaganda can negate this truth.
Even a great majority of conservative members of parliament are for seeing their daughters educated. (In their case, it may not be so much so because they want women to work and become equals, but because of the intrinsic value that the Iranian society places on education and also because education is often considered an asset in finding a mate. In fact, it is not at all unusual for Iranian women with four-year college degrees to marry men who have only a high school diploma as long as the men are of some material means.)