Global Europe

Human rights always seem to take second or third place in our dialogue with Iran. Whenever sanctions are mentioned over the nuclear issue or human rights violations, businesspeople warn that we risk cutting our contacts with the country and losing millions of Euros and maybe worse, future potential incomes from oil and gas. They tell political leaders to be “cautious”, even if caution leads to a nuclear Iran or innocent victims being beaten killed in the country’s streets and prisons.

We are also told that the priority given to the dialogue on nuclear weapons means that we should not raise human rights issues for tactical reasons. We must stop Iran developing nuclear weapons even if that means countenancing a regime where day by day people disappear without reason. If we mention human rights, we are told, the Iranians will walk away from the negotiating table.

In either case, our fundamental values are to be left aside for ‘a greater good’.

This is not the right position for the European Union. The European Union, and its Parliament, must stand up for human rights in today’s world. If the EU fails to do it, no one else will.

In Communist times, the West spoke up for human rights. The United States, for one made its position on human rights clear. I know as I heard them in my homeland of Poland. Today, however, the United States seems to be weaker, pulled in too many directions, reliant on too many foreign interests, too fearful to act.

This is why the European Union must speak up strongly on human rights. Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Policy must underscore the fact that human rights are not merely an afterthought, but that they are central to our foreign policy strategy. This is one area where Europe must lead. Here we can be a light of hope for all repressed people around the world.

I, for one, believe that countries, like Iran, will be far better long-term business partners and friends for Europe if we speak up now. We can discuss sanctions or other actions and we can negotiate with the Iranian authorities but we should not pay for these discussions with our ideals.