”Nuclear rights and human rights in Iran Office”, Asia Times

By Kaveth L Afrasiabi (10/12/2009) There is now a direct linkage between the Iranian government's defense of the country's "inalienable nuclear rights" in the international arena and the country's contentious domestic politics that, in turn, has raised the international community's alarm over rights violations in Iran, reflected in a United Nations General Assembly resolution last month. In a vote of 74 in favor, 48 against and 59 abstentions, the assembly committee responsible for social, humanitarian and cultural affairs - known as the Third Committee - adopted a resolution condemning human-rights violations in Iran, particularly those that have occurred since June's presidential election, when many opposition supporters were arrested and detained. Without doubt, the vote, backed by many of Iran's non-aligned friends who support Iran's nuclear rights, is a political setback for Tehran that cannot be ignored; rather, it requires concerted efforts by the government to push the arch of reconciliation, tolerance and respect for the constitutional rights of the political opposition. This is especially so, given fresh unrest in the capital, Tehran. Security forces on Tuesday clashed with thousands of university students protesting for a second day, as the top prosecutor warned of "no mercy toward anyone who acts against national security". About 200 people were detained on Monday. The students have revitalized the June protests. … One thing is clear, however; namely, there are definite costs to Iran's national security interests due to the political rifts at home and the exploitation of those rifts by Iran's opponents who seek to deprive the country of its nuclear rights. This is starkly illustrated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to members of the Knesset (parliament's) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday. "The use of the Internet and Twitter against the Iranian regime is a great thing," he said. "In past years, Iran was portrayed as an unpleasant regime, but today there is deep hatred on the part of part of the Iranian nation against the regime. It is trickling out and constitutes a very important resource for the state of Israel." View Full Article