Hook: The people of Iran live in fear and suffering every day because of their religious beliefs
Brian Hook, the US Special Representative for Iran, said during a meeting titled "International Roundtable on Religious Freedom" that "every day in Iran, men and women suffer untold horrors because of their religious beliefs."
Parts of Mr. Hook's speech on December 27 were published on the "US Department of State in Persian" website on social media.
The US special representative for Iran has said that Baha'is, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Sunni Muslims and Dervishes are specifically "targeted by this regime."
"Sunni Muslims are also subject to government repression, including arbitrary killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture in custody. They are routinely denied permits to build places of worship, particularly in Tehran," Mr. Hook said.
According to the US Special Representative for Iran, this situation reflects the "disgusting deception" of government leaders who consider themselves the vanguard of Islam.
The state of religious freedom in Iran has repeatedly been criticized by non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran has also criticized the Iranian government's restrictions and discrimination against religious minorities and women.
In the annual report of the US State Department, Iran is usually described as a violator of religious freedom, along with countries such as Saudi Arabia.
Iran's Foreign Ministry describes the reports as "undocumented, unrealistic, exaggerated, and unconstructive" and prepared "for political purposes." The Islamic Republic says the US government "should pay attention to the gross violations of the rights of its own Muslims instead of admonishing other countries."
Brian Hook of the International Roundtable on Religious Freedom said that the Iranian government “could learn something from the founder of the Iranian empire, Cyrus the Great, who is known above all for his religious tolerance. The Iranian regime regularly prevents Iranians from visiting his tomb. One must ask what this shaky regime is afraid of.”
Mr. Hook seems to be referring to the opposition and prevention of ceremonies held at the tomb of Cyrus in Iran. In Iran, the 7th of Aban is called "Cyrus Day" by citizens, not officially, and a group of citizens usually hold ceremonies on this day.
In another part of his speech, Brian Hook once again criticized the Iranian government's spending of money outside the country's borders, saying, "While billions [of Tomans] are spent on foreign adventures, public services are in sharp decline."
Mr. Hook also says that the US government's "maximum pressure" campaign will continue until the Islamic Republic "changes its destructive policies."
"Maximum pressure" is a term Washington officials have used repeatedly since the US government withdrew from the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. The Trump administration says the Obama-era nuclear deal did not end Iran's other "destructive" actions and is time-limited.
Tehran, on the other hand, has accused the US of violating its multilateral commitments and denies the accusations of “destructive activities” or “support for terrorism.” Officials in the Islamic Republic have described the recent actions of the US government as “psychological warfare.”
Source: Radio Farda
