February 19th, 2009 by Mehdi

There is continuing hope and speculation that if Mohammad Khatami can win the coming presidential elections in Iran, it will open the door for both a drastic change in US-Iran relations as well as reform within Iran. The Boston Globe argues that a tactful policy from President Obama could subtly help Khatami’s chances, “Obama could cast a discreet vote for Khatami by expressing not only respect for Iranian civilization but also a desire to see modern Iran flourish. To counter Iranian hard-liners’ propaganda, Obama should repeat over and over that the United States does not wish to deprive Iran of the peaceful uses of nuclear power - only to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. And Obama should paint a picture of the prosperity that awaits Iran if it reaches an accommodation with America and its allies.”

In the mean time however, human rights issues continue in Iran especially in regards to the Baha’i minority. Andrew Vasile has an interesting piece, commenting on the seven Baha’i Iranians on trial dubious charges. Vasile writes, “Religious freedom could perhaps be considered democracy’s linchpin.  While not sufficient on its own for a society to be democratic, what could be more fundamentally necessary to a well-ordered democratic society than to have the right to believe according to the dictates of one’s conscience? Iranian Baha’is are denied this fundamental right.”

Michael Rubin via the Corner believes that this trial in Iran is very much a test from the Iranian government and that, “nothing will telegraph to Tehran Washington’s impotence than if the White House remains silent while Iranian authorities target and perhaps execute religious minorities.”

Posted in Freedom, Iran |