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While
few will deny the principle that compromise is the essence of politics and that
pragmatic solutions can be helpful within any democratic, pluralist society,
this week's visit to Iran by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will, under
the prevailing circumstances, send a totally inappropriate message to the ayatollahs,
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass argues.
"Compromise at
the cost of integrity should be not only shunned but guarded against,
particularly when that compromise comes at the expense of dignity and
freedom," Lord Maginnis wrote on Monday on the UK website Politics Home.
"In an attempt
to underpin the Vienna Agreement of October 18th past rush we appear to have
devised another 'de facto' compromise that is being made on the issue of human
rights and democratic freedom for ordinary Iranians. That is a compromise that
I, for one, am not willing to make. Many of my colleagues from both of Houses
of the UK Parliament and other European parliaments share a similar
opinion," wrote the Independent member of the United Kingdom's House of
Lords."Recent coverage
of Iran appears skewed in favour of a narrative surrounding reform and
moderation, yet few seem to remember that this is not the first time the regime
has played this card. During the Presidency of Mohammad Khatami, Iran played
the moderate card to perfection and fooled many in the West. This not only
alleviated pressure on the regime, but also gave it time to pursue its nuclear
programme secretly, while notionally engaging in cordial relations with the
West. Today is no different!"
"Under President
Rouhani, Iran has recently reached a 25 year high for executions, despite his
supposedly 'moderate' image abroad. The victims included political dissidents
who are activists of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (the PMOI),
the principal Iranian opposition movement, along with ethnic and religious
minorities. In real terms, according to UN Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed,
Iran has actually escalated its crackdown on human rights over the last few
years, leaving little doubt as to the true nature of this government."
"If
that were not evidence enough of the nature of this regime, one need look no
further than its support of mass murder in Syria and its continual involvement
in terror and instability throughout the region. This is not behaviour that
warrants compromise or cordial relations. It is belligerence being rewarded by
seemingly wishful thinking."
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