NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release – August 29, 2002

A CONFERENCE BY MEHR ON:

The Massacre of Thousands of Prisoners of Conscience by the Islamic Regime of Iran in Summer of 1988: “Crime Against Humanity”

DATE:                                    Sunday, September 1, 2002

LOCATION:                         Hilton Costa Mesa, Pacific 4 Ballroom

3050 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Tel: (714) 540-7000

 

On September 1, 2002, MEHR Iran will sponsor a conference in remembrance of the massacre of thousands of prisoners of conscience by the Islamic Regime of Iran (IRI) in summer of 1988. The objectives of the conference are to unveil the crimes of IRI and to appeal to the freedom loving people of the world to stop the Western governments from supporting the Islamic Regime.

The speakers and endorsers include Congresswomen Sanchez of California, Dr. Rubin, Visiting Fellow at American Enterprise Institute, Congressman Lantos of California, Congressman Berman of California, Mrs. Katrina Swett, candidate for the US Congress and Dr. Parvin, Founding Director of MEHR.

Dr. Rubin said: “The 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran was neither the first nor last example of the sheer contempt that the Islamic Republic has shown for human rights. After 23 years of dictatorship under Ayatollah, it is high time that the United States and Europe stand with the Iranian people striving for freedom, pluralism, and democracy, rather than with the government that oppresses them."

"The best way to help the Iranian people is for the West to judge the Islamic Republic by its record rather than its rhetoric. Unfortunately, the Islamic Republic's human rights' track-record remains abysmal. The same officials who enabled the 1988 prison massacre now call themselves reformists and are the toast of European diplomats. With more than 600,000 in Iranian prisons, freedom-loving Iranians and their friends must maintain the pressure. To do otherwise is to ensure that history will repeat itself, with dissidents like Ahmad Batebi paying the price." Said Rubin.

 

Congressman Berman of California in a written message to MEHR stated:
“September 1 marks the 14^th anniversary of the massacres of Iranian political prisoners in the summer of 1988.  Shamefully, 14 years later Iran still has a dismal record on human rights…… The question is, what should we do about it?  What is the best way to change the regime’s behavior? The Europeans’ answer is to pursue a policy of  “constructive engagement,” sometimes referred to as “critical dialogue. In theory, constructive engagement sounds appealing.  But in practice, I haven’t seen any evidence to suggest that it’s had any impact on Iranian behavior…. Our goal to isolate the regime, cut it off from the sources of capital and technology that will allow it to devote even more resources to destructive ends.”  

“One thing is certain”, He wrote.  “For this vision to become a reality, the Iranian people will have to play a leading role. Once they are liberated from the oppressive regime that prevents them from realizing their full potential, I have no doubt they will be up to the task. The Mission for Establishment of Human Rights in Iran is helping set the stage to make this liberation possible by highlighting the truth the about the current regime and its crimes, remembering the victims of these crimes, and urging the western world to isolate and disengage from the Iranian government while at the same time connecting with the people of Iran and their struggle.”

Congressman Lantos, in his message to the conference stated that:” It is essential that we remember those who suffered this savagery, and that we use this occasion to reaffirm our commitment to the struggle against this and other gross violations of human rights by the current Iranian government.”

Katrina Swett, candidate for the US Congress in a message to the conference said:” I believe all Americans join us in opposing the vicious and systematic violation of human rights by the current anti- democratic regime in Iran. It is essential that all of us work together and that we use all means available to see that those officials of Islamic Republic of Iran who have violated the human rights of Iranian people are brought to justice.”

Mohammad Parvin Said: " The struggle of the Iranian people for freedom and democracy is facing two main obstacles: Inside Iran, they are confronting a brutal regime that has no respect for human rights and dignity, and outside Iran, they are facing the interest-driven governments and individuals that are helping and legitimizing their abusers” said Parvin. “Our message to the world community is loud and clear: If you cannot help the people (the people, not the Islamic Regime), please stay away. Don’t help this murderous regime. Don’t legitimize it."