Monday, June 16th 2014

Nuclear Talks, Human Rights and Courting the Iranian Regime

STOP THE BOMB demands cancellation of Austrian President Fischer’s Iran trip and addresses misogyny of regime

The coalition STOP THE BOMB demands the cancellation of Austrian President Fischer’s planned trip to Iran. Fischer would be the first Western head of state since 2005 to visit the inhuman regime. Said Stefan Schaden, spokesperson for STOP THE BOMB in Austria: "It is a shame to pay tribute to a regime whose 'supreme leader' questions the Holocaust. Nothing has changed when it comes to the disastrous human rights situation in Iran except for President Rouhani’s and Foreign Minister Zarif’s charm offensive. The meeting last week of the Iranian oil minister with the Austrian oil and gas company OMV in Vienna clearly shows what Fischer’s visit really is about: Austrian companies want to do undisturbed business again with the antisemitic, homophobic and misogynous regime."

Meanwhile the nuclear talks have resumed in Vienna and there is a legitimate concern that they will lead to the acceptance of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. The Iranian regime continues with its tactics of dividing the P5+1 and buying time. Said Stephan Grigat, Scientific Director of STOP THE BOMB: "The only result of these negotiations has so far been that the Iranian regime had months to advance its nuclear weapons and missiles programs."

While the Iranian regime presents itself as a decent negotiating partner, STOP THE BOMB will educate the public on the regime’s brutal oppression of women. The coalition will be hosting a short film and lecture under the title "Saint & State Enemy at Once - The Image of Women & Masculinity in the Islamic Republic of Iran" with the exiled-Iranian activist Fathiyeh Naghibzadeh (Graz: 16 June, 7pm at University/Resowi, Room 15.04; Vienna: 17 June, 6:30pm at Top Kino).