Writing on PoliticsHome, Alex (Lord) Carlile calls on the British government to condemn the situation in Iran, where there have been just short of 700 executions this year:
The International Community must strongly condemn the Iranian authorities’ use of capital punishment as a political tool, designed to create an atmosphere of fear. UK can play a vital role in this regard and HM Government should join the international community in condemning and demanding a halt to the planned executions of Salar Shadizadi and Mohammad Ali Taheri. Furthermore, the government should make any future economic relations between UK and Iran conditional on substantive and tangible improvements in the human rights situation in that country.
You can read the full article here.
Photo by Helen.2006
* Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist and member of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
8 Comments
Murder.
But this is nothing new. Right since the Islamic Revolution almost 40 years ago, the regime has been condemning people to death for being “corrupt on Earth” or for making war against God. It was, and is, almost impossible to defend oneself against such accusations, and the trials have consistently failed to meet international standards.
The protests of people like Lord Carlile are welcome, but they come a bit late. The whole of the West has, time and again, searched fruitlessly for “liberal” elements within the regimes. These simply don’t exist. All the members of the regime are from the religious establishment and all of them support the same sort of unacceptable Sharia-based legal system. There is no prospect of meaningful reform under any of these people. That will only come with the overthrow of the regime. The brutality of the regime against any sort of opposition, organized or not, makes it doubtful whether this will take place in the near future.
And let’s hypocritically, turn a blind eye to barbaric executions in Saudi Arabia, because of course,.. they do spend quite a sum in our UK defence industry.?
Couldn’t possibly let principle get in the way of profit. So Yes,.. lets bash Iran,… well,.. at least until the lucrative trade contracts are signed.?
@John Dunn – The Liberal Democrats have been consistent on the appalling record of Saudi Arabia for many years. For example see this from 2007 when Vince Cable was acting leader: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7066754.stm
A nice attempt at whatabouttery, but it won’t wash here.
Saudi Arabia’s actions in lowering the price of oil has widespread and disparate effects, for instance on OPEC.
Their motives might be about Iraq and Syria. They have had a major effect on the Russian economy. If they are trying to make US shale gas unprofitable they may succeed in the short term.
Paul in Wokingham. Has (Lord) Carlile or any other peer or MP called on the British government to condemn the state murders, floggings and mutilations in Saudi Arabia etc? If he has, then fair enough but if not, why? 2007?
Try Google. March 2015. Tim Farron as our foreign affairs spokesperson condemned Saudi Arabia:
http://timfarron.co.uk/en/article/2015/1030399/lib-dem-foreign-affairs-spokesperson-tim-farron-condemns-punishment-for-saudi-rape-victim
Saudi Arabia has female only petrol stations. Gender apartheid.