Behind the Headlines/Nov 5

Jamshid Chalangi:

In tonight’s program of Behind the Headlines we will look at the continuation of human rights violations in Iran as the country is now holding the largest number of lawyers and activists in prison anywhere in the world.

And only a mile away from Khamenei’s residence and around the Vanak Square, the business of parents selling their children because of poverty is flourishing.

Also, with the arrival of the new US sanctions we will ask why these sanctions have returned on the same day as the anniversary of the hostage-taking crisis at the US embassy in Tehran.

Our guest to discuss these issues is the lawyer Mr Mohammad Moghimi who is representing Nasrin Sotoudeh and her husband Mr Reza Khandan.

We begin by asking him why does the Islamic republic regime treat our lawyers with contempt?

Mr Mohammad Moghimi:

Lawyers are always critical of situations and legal cases and ask questions. These are the principles of modern justice system.

However, the rulers of Iran regard lawyers as their rivals as Iran’s justice system is not independent and is in the hands of the regime.

As far as I am concerned, as a lawyer I would say Nasrin Sotoudeh and her husband have not committed any offence or crime and governments everywhere in the world must posses a high degree tolerance and be accountable to the public and their legal representatives and avoid reacting to them with violence and injustice.

Mrs. Sotoudeh has been charged with propaganda and plot against the regime for accepting to represent the women known in Iran as “daughters of revolution”, who have taken off their headscarves in public.

None of these charges have any meaning in the justice system and are unfounded as she is just a lawyer doing her job professionally. Being a lawyer or representing an accused is not a crime, it is the very basic foundation of any justice system.

Besides, what those “daughters of revolution” have done by removing their headscarves is the most civil and peaceful protest action and has not infringed any other person’s rights or has not caused any damage to the public.

We are very sorry that the issue of human rights in Iran is so bad that even trying to uphold it has landed a veteran and innocent lawyer in prison.