Iran and Brazil :: Not just business
Foreign Ministry pressured to include human rights issues in meeting with Iranian authorities
Given the absence of human rights issues on the agenda of the Foreign Ministry’s official visit to Iran between June 10-13, pressure is mounting on Brazil to include these matters in the discussions on investments with Iranian authorities. In a public statement, the Ministry of Foreign Relations announced that the purpose of the visit will be to “strengthen contacts with the Iranian private and governmental sectors in order to drive economic and trade relations between the two countries”.
As a result of the serious violations against Iranians by the country’s government, which include mass executions, torture of prisoners, abuses against women and children, and discrimination of ethnic and religious minorities, organizations have expressed concern over the fact that only trade-related issues are on the agenda for the visit.
In a letter to Foreign Ministry representatives, Conectas, International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and Impact Iran recommend that Brazil stress in the dialogue on human rights the recommendations made to Iran during the most recent cycle of the UN Universal Periodic Review, which include guidance on protecting freedom of expression and religion, combating gender violence and cooperating with the UN Special Procedures.
The organizations emphasized, in particular, “the need to include the human rights dimension in all the discussions on trade and investment with Iranian authorities, with a special emphasis on respect for labor rights and gender equality in the activities resulting from these business and trade relations”.
- Click here to read the letter in full.
