Barry Rosen to VOA: The Islamic Republic's "hostage diplomacy" must stop

Barry Rosen, a former hostage at the US embassy in Iran, called the hunger strike campaign for the release of hostages in Iran a success and said his message had been conveyed to all parties negotiating with Iran. He called on all hostages on hunger strike to end it for the sake of their health.

Barry Rosen said in an exclusive interview with Voice of America on Tuesday, February 25, about receiving the human rights award in Vienna: "It was unexpected. The award was given by the Iranian-Austrian Medical Association. I went with them to the studio of an artist named Behrouz Hekmat, who is a very educated person. He received me in his home and welcomed me. Many Iranian-Austrians, most of whom were doctors, came there and, while I was not expecting it, they gave me this sculpture that is a symbol of a prison and these birds that come out of it are hostages who will one day be freed."

Mr. Rosen added: "This symbol is very important to me. I will keep it at home and look at it all the time, remembering all the hostages who were taken captive, remembering the love that was shown to me by all of Iranian society."

He continued: "When they gave me this award, they called me the Baskerville of the modern era. For you and many viewers, I must say that Mr. Baskerville was 35 years old and fought in the war with the revolutionaries of Tabriz in 1909 to liberate Iran from the Qajar monarchy and establish a constitutional government in Iran that would limit totalitarianism. Even comparing me to Baskerville is unbelievable because I am not like him, but I have great respect for him."

Barry Rosen, who had been on a hunger strike for five days, said about his recovery process: "I have to say I'm still very weak. I'm very tired, I feel sleepy all the time. My body hasn't recovered yet. It's not easy at 77, and recovery doesn't happen quickly. Even last night, the doctors who gave me that award took me in for another examination, and this was about the fourth time that the Iranian-Austrian doctors examined me and gave me their time for free just because they value me as a human being. This is the real Iran, this is the perfect example of humanity that they have always said and say about Iran and believe in."

The Worldwide Hostage Relief Organization, of which Barry Rosen and Nizar Zakka are board members, issued a statement announcing that it was ending the hunger strike campaign.

Barry Rosen said of the campaign: "I honestly believe my message has been heard and not only the families of the hostages but also the hostages themselves who have spoken to me have told me that my message has been heard loud and clear everywhere. My call to all the people and the hostages who are on hunger strike is to end it, but I want to emphasize that it is they who make that decision."

He added: "I know it's very difficult in the conditions they are in prison, so I want them to think about their health first, but it's their decision and I respect whatever decision they make. It's important that their lives are saved so they can live again, be with their families again, and kiss their wives and children."

Barry Rosen, who had negotiated with the American negotiating team on the first day of his visit to Vienna, also met with a delegation from Europe and said about the details: "I met with three representatives from the European negotiating team; Enrique Mora, the European coordinator, and representatives from France and Germany. All three treated me with great respect and honored me by saying that what I was doing was important for the hostages who were being held."

Mr. Rosen also said: "Although these negotiations are confidential, I can honestly say that the three European countries and the European Union are working to not only reach an agreement, but to try to free all the hostages; not just the American hostages but all the other hostages, which are about 20 people. I feel good about this and I think the statement I made will be memorable for the European Union and the three European countries."

Barry Rosen said: "The message must be given consistently and constantly to the Islamic Republic of Iran that they must think about the human rights violations they are committing, they must release all the hostages and never take hostages again in any way. As I said before, first of all because it is shameful for the Islamic Republic of Iran to act like an independent sovereign state like this and secondly how can Iranian businessmen and traders come back when they can be taken hostage at any moment, and that is so absurd. They should be part of the international community and not outside of it."

Mr. Rosen added: "They should know that they cannot advance their work with hostage diplomacy and treat people like animals. Those who are hostages are suffering. Their families are also suffering, and this is a serious violation of human rights. I believe that the international community, the United States, and Europe should establish a mechanism to punish Iran if it takes hostages again. The Islamic Republic cannot be treated like children and pampered all the time. Yes, the international community can. I think Iranian diplomats in any country or even in the United Nations should be thrown out if they are taken hostage. Even the President of the Islamic Republic should not be able to speak at the United Nations because his presence only reduces the credibility of that institution. He himself is a criminal who has killed more than five thousand people and he doesn't care."

Source: Voice of America