We must not ignore human rights in Iran

Hundreds of thousands of government supporters massed Thursday in central Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of Iran's Islamic revolution, while a heavy deployment of security forces largely prevented protesters from using the occasion to stage opposition rallies. In recent weeks, at least 12 journalists and dozens of activists have been taken into custody.  "We must not ignore human rights in Iran, writes Trita Parsi, president of the Ploughshares-funded National Iranian American Council in the Financial Times. Nine activists have been convicted of moharebeh, or “taking up arms against God," and are awaiting execution. Hundreds more await trial, though they are denied access to legal representation. Rather than focusing purely on new sanctions – which more often than not hurt the people rather than the government – a special session at the UN Human Rights Council should be called immediately to bring attention to the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, writes Parsi.