Bijan Djir-Sarai, the head of the delegation, said that the aim of their trip to Iran was to boost and improve bilateral ties and learn about some issues in Iran, despite pressure from Europe to cancel the trip.
Djir-Sarai, of Iranian descent, stressed that western and European politician do not necessarily consider Iran as it is being shown by western media. “European media, even in Germany, cover many negative issues about Iran and its human rights condition that could affect people’s minds about the Islamic Republic. Iran and Germany should take proper measures to make the issues covered in media closer to reality,” he also said.
He added that the German delegation have travelled to Iran to hold talks and provide grounds for further cooperation in different fields and has no intention to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs such as in judicial system.
He referred to some issued discussed in the West, saying, “The question in Europe is that why Iran does not allow the pro-human rights people to get their awards or nor permit them to receive their awards in Iran, or why receiving an award from western countries is regarded as a negative issue for such people.”
The secretary of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights welcomed the German delegation, saying, “Iran has always supported bilateral talks based on mutual respect. We support a discussion, in which the sides listen to each other’s remarks and have their own judgment and not a one-sided criticism.”
The top advisor to the head of Judiciary stressed that while western media are trying to show a negative image from Iran, such meetings would give a clear vision about the conditions in Iran. “The issues raised by your delegation or other western officials were part of a media and political inroad against our country, that unfortunately lack truth about remarkable achievements of Iran in different aspects.”
Larijani declared that there were clear legal and judicial reasons for those issues. And the individuals and governments who want to know the truth behind them should ask the Human Rights Council.”
“It is very surprising that the western and European governments worry about some issues but at the same time they have very close ties with the Israeli regime, which is the main violator of human rights in the world, or several other countries in the region who don’t even respect the democratic principles. They not only support these anti-human rights administrations both financially and politically, but also provide them with arms.”
Larijani added that hundreds of cases of crime and human rights violations are occurred everyday by the European allies and even Germany, but such cases have not worried any one. “But when in Iran some people are treated legally and judicially for committing crime, the media and political attacks will begin and every one would be the supporter of human rights, and even award them with prizes. Therefore we are right to think than the issue of human rights is an excuse in the hand of the West, and that they seek other things.”
Regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, Larijani said, “The West has adopted a dual and anti-human rights position to our program. While Iran is an active member of NPT, and has always said that it is not seeking to create bomb and has shown its commitment to the laws, it has been subjected to sanctions. But on the other hand Israeli regime, which is not NPT member and has nuclear bombs, was not considered at all by western media and officials. Now the question is that does the West worry about nuclear issue or human rights?
Responding to Djir-Sarai’s question, Larijani said, “The idea of award was important per se, we will become very happy to see Iranians win prizes across the world. But the political purposes behind such awards are very disappointing. Iranians are aware of the aggressive behavior of the West with the country. On one hand the West supports the terrorist groups, like Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) or PJAK terrorists who have killed several Iranian youths, on the other hand talk about human rights and give human rights awards to those people who are regarded as being criminal in their own countries.”
“Therefore, people and officials in the Islamic Republic of Iran consider the move as yet another example of illogical hostility of the West against Iran. However, this time the hostility is covered by supporting human rights.
The head of the German delegation confirmed the view and tactic of media in covering the issues related to Iran, but said that Iran should take the responsibility to improve such views. “We very well know those terrorist groups you mentioned and have several times told them that we don’t consider you as the representatives of Iranians and don’t consider them as being legitimate.”
Larijani then highlighted the role of Human Rights Council in supporting the rights of Iranian citizens, and named the attempts carried out by the body for improving the human rights condition.
The meeting was ended with the two sides expressing interest in continuing mutual meetings and talks about human rights.
Source: Humanrights-iran
