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British MPs urge UNESCO to cancel Rouhani’s visit

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NCRI – The British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom has written to the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, to express disappointment over the invitation extended to the Iranian regime’s president, Hassan Rouhani, to speak before their organization next week.

In a letter dated November 12, Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, a co-Chair of the British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom (BPCIF), wrote: “For a respected UN organisation to invite the representative of an oppressive theocracy, that is considered the world’s number one executioner per capita and the leading state sponsor of terrorism, stands not only in contrast to the core objectives of UNESCO to promote peace and security but also legitimises a regime playing a destructive role in the Middle East.”

The letter pointed out that “the UN Secretary-General, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran and respected International NGOs, like Amnesty International, have all expressed concerns over the recent spike of executions in Iran while regretting that the human rights situation in the country has deteriorated in several areas during Rouhani’s tenure compared to that of his predecessor Ahmadinejad.”

The letter also highlighted that “barbaric punishments such as amputations, flogging and public hangings, are enshrined in Iran’s penal code and that its current constitution calls for active promotion and spreading of religious fundamentalism not only in the region but also in the world.”

Taking into account these harsh realities and Tehran’s unacceptable behavior internationally, the cross-party Parliamentary committee urged UNESCO to revoke its invitation to Hassan Rouhani at this moment “because nothing in Tehran’s behaviour suggest the theocratic regime is ready to contribute constructively in promoting international peace and universal respect for human rights, which are the core objectives of UNESCO.”