The human rights situation in Iran and Afghanistan was highlighted today during a discussion in Parliament. In both countries, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly are severely restricted. Women and ethnic minorities are particularly affected by discrimination. Shoura Hashemi, Managing Director of Amnesty International Austria, and Fahima Safa from “Vienna Process for a democratic Afghanistan” gave presentations about the current situation in their countries of birth. Afterwards, representatives of the parties represented in the Austrian Parliament discussed the role of the media, civil courage and Austria’s potential for impact.
“Austria stands for compliance with fundamental and human rights. This is a fundamental constant of Austria’s foreign and security policy; Parliament strives to promote and support it,” said Parliamentary Director Harald Dossi at the opening. He handed over the floor to Siroos Mirzaei, spokesman for the Doctors Group for Human Rights in Iran and the Iranian Forum Vienna.
Mirzaei thanked him for the opportunity to present “the catastrophic human rights situation in these two countries under religious dictatorship.” He was convinced that the religious dictatorship in the Middle East was based on hatred of the West and Israel in particular, as well as on fear of electoral democracy, freedom for women, free journalism and freedom of expression. He emphasized that the peoples of these states must find their way out of “the black hole” themselves, but those responsible for the serious human rights violations abroad should not be courted. For example, it would have to be ensured that they could not acquire property, run or set up businesses or religious centers in democratic countries. He demanded that the “Iranian Revolutionary Guard” be classified as a terrorist organization by the EU.
The right to protest
The introductory words were followed by two lectures. The first was held by Shoura Hashemi, Managing Director of Amnesty International Austria. She addressed the right to protest, “which is fundamental to our understanding of democracy and human rights.” The right to protest is a complex web of different human rights: the right to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of association and participation in public life. These are anchored in numerous international agreements – in particular in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Hashemi discussed the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran. “We saw images of courageous women removing their headscarves and cutting their hair – powerful symbols of resistance to repressive laws.” Despite massive intimidation and violence, thousands took to the streets and the Iranian government responded to the protests with unprecedented severity, she recalled. Not only were deaths and injuries the result, the internet was throttled by the authorities, social media was blocked and journalists were prevented from working. “All of these are serious violations of the right to protest,” stressed Hashemi. To protect the right to protest and ensure that protesters’ voices are heard and translated into political action, she proposes several measures. Among other things, that a clear legal framework is created that protects and clearly defines the right to peaceful protest. The use of force should always be “the last resort and must remain proportionate,” she made clear. Social media and online platforms also need to be recognized as they play a crucial role in organizing and spreading protest. Governments should not abuse the Internet as a tool of censorship. The dialogue between protesters and decision-makers must be promoted. The last point the native Iranian mentioned was the importance of international solidarity, which needs to be strengthened.
To support the Women, Life, Freedom movement, international communities must maintain pressure on the Iranian government to document and condemn human rights violations, including through targeted sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations.
The right to protest is “the heartbeat of a vibrant democracy. It is the means through which marginalized groups can raise their voices,” said Hashemi. The right to protest is “the heartbeat of a vibrant democracy. It is the means through which marginalized groups can raise their voices,” emphasized Hashemi.
Systematic human rights violations in Afghanistan
Fahima Safa from “Vienna Process for a democratic Afghanistan” was born in Afghanistan, studied electrical engineering in Kabul and had to leave her homeland at the age of 19 due to her political activities, as she explained in her lecture. She has been involved in humanitarian organizations for decades. In 1981 she came to Austria to study. Since the Taliban took over leadership in Afghanistan, the situation has worsened dramatically, women are no longer allowed to study and girls are only allowed to go to school up to the sixth grade, said Safa.
With the collapse of the Republic of Afghanistan in 2021, “despite all the difficulties over the years,” hopes have been evaporated. “All problem solutions were expected from abroad and from the money flowing there. This paralyzed initiatives to finally achieve the necessary stability in the country on our own,” said Fahima Safa. Since the Taliban, Afghanistan has once again been considered “medieval”. Drastic religious rules have never been part of Afghan tradition; they are a “new phenomenon.” “Absurdly exaggerated ideas of patriarchy make girls and women primary victims,” she emphasized. There is censorship and torture, political parties are not tolerated, and people have been deprived of their basic rights. She told of physical and psychological abuse by the Taliban. “On a global political scale, it would be crucial that the international community of states influence dominant Islamic-oriented states to make Islam more compatible with the world again by liberalizing its everyday rules,” demanded Safa. In order to initiate investigations and proceedings into human rights violations in Afghanistan, the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice would need to activate legal and judicial accountability mechanisms.
Austrian perspective
In the subsequent panel discussion, the representatives of the ÖVP, SPÖ, FPÖ, Greens and NEOS agreed that there had been good cooperation in the Austrian Parliament when it came to clearly condemning human rights violations in Iran and Afghanistan. Gudrun Kugler (ÖVP) was convinced that economy, diplomacy, development cooperation and countries working together could achieve something. International players must stick together, even beyond the EU, and act as unitedly as possible.
Eva Ernst-Dziedzic (GREEN) emphasized that the international community should not pander to states that violate basic and human rights – for example in negotiations on nuclear programs or deportations to Afghanistan – otherwise we could not achieve anything. You have to build up political pressure and make it clear that you are not negotiating. The Green Party representative mentioned the following levers: Call gender apartness in Afghanistan by its name and directly support the revolution in Iran.
For Ernst Troch (SPÖ), targeted sanctions are needed, “targeted pinpricks against criminals in politics,” because general ones would often affect the poor. Troch cited a stop in the delivery of medication as a negative example. “Maintaining communication channels and talking to each other” is important for him, as it is for Michael Schilchegger (FPÖ). Schilchegger warned against building up even more pressure and imposing more economic sanctions, “the West no longer has the economic power it did 20 years ago.”
Stephanie Krisper (NEOS) emphasized that values must be at the center of foreign policy and that this must also be put into practice. We need to speak out more at the EU level and not just be a free rider.
A NOTICE: Photos from this event as well as one Review of past events can be found in Parliament web portal.