Clinton says Iran has double standards on human rights

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Feb 24 (PTI) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has accused Iran of pursuing double standards on human rights, in praising the pro-democracy movement in Egypt while crushing its own people''s rights.

She said thousands of Iranians have bravely come out on the streets over the past few days but the US remains deeply concerned by the persecution of Iranian citizens at the hands of their government.

"Over the past 10 days, we have witnessed the bravery of thousands of Iranians who once again took to the streets to exercise their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and expression," Clinton said in a statement.

Earlier, Clinton told reporters that the US is looking for ways to influence the behaviour of the Iranian regime.

"And we believe strongly that the sanctions are working, that they are having an impact within Iran, and we are going to continue to work with partners across the world to enforce those sanctions," she said in a joint press availability with the Brazilian Foreign Minister.

Clinton said the US is also looking for action in the Human Rights Council in the upcoming session to once again point out the human rights abuses within Iran.

"I mean, it''s been the height of irony and even hypocrisy to see Iran cheering on protestors who are peacefully demonstrating in Egypt or Tunisia while they brutally suppress peaceful protests in Iran," Clinton said.

"So I think that there''s a lot that we''re all trying to pursue in a common effort by the international community to influence the actions of the Iranian Government when it comes to their nuclear programme," she said.

Clinton said it has been made clear to the world that Iran denies its citizens the same fundamental rights it continues to applaud elsewhere in the Middle East.

Security forces have beaten, detained, and - in at least three cases - killed peaceful protesters, she said.

"Off the streets, the regime''s leaders have targeted human rights defenders and political activists, and authorities have recently rounded-up ex-government officials and their families; former members of parliament; clerics and their children; student leaders and their professors; as well as journalists and bloggers," Clinton said.

They also continue to deny their citizens access to information by jamming satellite transmissions and blocking internet sites, she charged.

She also expressed concern at the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities in the country, noting that of the dozens of prisoners executed in 2011, most of them were from ethnic minorities.

"Baha''is and other religious minorities continue to be subjected to arbitrary arrests and prosecutions, harsh sentences, and unsafe prison conditions," she said, calling on Iran to free political prisoners and persecuted minorities.
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(2011-2-24/news.in.msn.com)