In Defence of Decency and Justice
Isn't that the mantra of the United States? When great wrongs are done in the world, the U.S. to the rescue. It has indeed happened often enough, particularly in the event of natural catastrophes. On the other hand, American intervention occurs all too often when it is not wanted, unwarranted and interferes with other countries' rights to govern themselves as they will. There have been times when the U.S. has supported right-wing regimes whose human rights records have been abysmal, when it has served their purpose.Yet there have been overwhelming instances where the United States has intervened when the cause has been right and needful of support. In all, nothing like an unblemished record, but an outstanding one in many respects. So that when the U.S. is engaged in an enterprise that shines a shameful light of indifference on its administration and its military, it does no credit to them whatever. It simply points out, yet again, how vulnerable even the best of intentions are to the prevailing political realities.
Iran presents as the international community's most pressing problem in its rogue status as a brutal regime, a theocratic totalitarian state, one which is headed directly toward nuclear-power status with the intent to build its own nuclear warheads and the powerful missiles that have the capacity to take those warheads on a world-shattering trajectory. The people of Iran have finally reached the point where they no longer wish to live under this regime, and an opposition has resulted, powerful enough to shake the confidence of Iran's Supreme Leader.
Opposition abroad to the regime is fairly general, with some notable exceptions; other rogue states such as North Korea and Venezuela, supported by China and Russia, both of which have veto power over effective sanctions as permanent members of the UN Security Council. Expatriate Iranians have supported the leading opposition within Iran by staging protests in their countries of exile. And within Iraq, close to the Iranian border there is an Iranian refugee group adamant in their antagonism against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Their past acts of resistance and what was termed to be violence against the regime led to their being labelled a terrorist group. Aside from Canada, the United States and Iraq, the Iranian refugees at Camp Ashraf are no longer given that designation. There are 3,400 members of the Peoples' Mojahedin Organization of Iran, 50 of whom have Canadian citizenship, living in Camp Ashraf. The U.S. had signed an agreement with the camp in 2003 that they would be protected by the U.S. military, with the surrender of their weapons.
In 2009 the protection of Camp Ashraf was transferred to Iraq, under the fourth Geneva Convention, with the withdrawal of American forces, despite the alarm raised by human rights organizations, pointing out Iraq's collegial relations with Iran. In July Iraqi security forces attacked the unarmed refugees with guns, axes, clubs and Humvee armoured vehicles. Eleven Iranian refugees were killed, 500 injured and 36 were taken into custody without charge. American soldiers were present, filming, but not reacting.
While condemnations of human rights abuses are voiced wherever they occur by the United States, suddenly it is mute when these human rights violations occur at the hands of their allies, the very Iraqi troops that they have been training. There is little reaction by the U.S. to the situation, while Amnesty International expresses concern for the welfare of the 36 that were taken away, likely to be returned directly to Iran where they may face torture or summary execution.
Where is the United Nations Human Rights Committee right about now? Preparing to launch an investigation?
The International Commission of Jurists in Defence of Ashraf is raising its collective voice in defence of the Iranian refugees in Iraq, hoping to be able to speak forcefully for those who are unable to protect themselves, ultimately hoping to convince the United States to do its human-rights duty in defence of the defenceless.
Labels: Human Rights, Middle East, Terrorism, Traditions, United States
posted by Pieface @ Friday, September 18, 2009
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