Human Rights

Sakine Mohammadie Ashtiani

Gaining and preserving Human Rights is a important aspect of World citizenship. Ms Ashtiani has been in prison for 5 years and has been flogged with 99 lashes for having an illicit relationship. The original sentence of 'death by stoning' has been set aside, but Ms Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani is in grave danger of being executed by other means by the Islamic Republic of Iran. I have never challenged the right of Iran as a sovereign state to make a decision. I have never accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of being either barbaric or uncivilised.

My academic studies have taught me that in many ways all countries are still uncivilised for a variety of reasons, and that all societies are still in the developmental helix of the civilising process. Western societies that consider themselves civilised, may not be as special as they think they are. The fine line between advancement and decivilising was shown in Bosnia. That was a comparatively recent deflection in the process. Nevertheless, Bosnia is evidence of the existence of a fine line that can be unexpectedly crossed. Societies do advance in their own way, and at different rates, and will take different paths. At some stage in their evolution, a country that might now be regarded by some as uncivilised could still be recognised as the 'cradle of civilisation'. While Western powers are in the ascendancy it is easy to label others and to criticise their way of life.

It does not necessarily follow that by being criticised, that something is wrong. What is totally acceptable to one group of people may be utterly unacceptable to others. My non judgemental approach to the widely publicised case of Ms Sakine Mohammadie Ashtiani, is to plead with the authorities in three separate letters as to why they should release Ms Ashtiani. My arguments are not based on abhorrence or criticism. They are merely reasoned arguments about how societies develop and interact for the greater good of everyone. Two of these letters have been posted in the Blog and all three of the letters have been sent to the Iranian Embassy in London. The letters to the Embassy have either been sent as stand alone emails or with an embedded link to the Blog.

Please refer to Blog posts of the 08 July 2010 and the 18 July 2010 regarding Ms Sakine Mohammadie Ashtiani or check out the Blog Labels at the bottom of this page if you struggle to find the relevant posts.