A better use for the Ignoble Appeasement Prize

Liz

Before I'd got even half way down your report Mel, I was wondering (again) why the media always treats Iran with kid gloves - then I remembered that of course they're too busy concentrating on Israel to notice.. It seems a hideous game of chess is being played out in Iran between its appallingly bellicose government, hell bent on developing nuclear weaponry and the general populace who want change. Can the West really afford to be playing the wait and see game with this hostile menace?
As to whether or not Obama 'donates' his Nobel Peace Prize to Shirin Ebadi? Yeah, sure.

Jeremy

I don't agree with your last sentence, Mel, but otherwise I thought this was a very good piece.

Given the circumstances, I do agree with both Mr Ottolenghi and yourself that the very best thing Mr Obama could do with his premature Peace Prize would be to present it to Ms Ebadi.

In terms of determining the nature of Iran's engagement with the West, I honestly think that the "Iranian opposition" is not only Iran's best hope for the future, but also our own.

Anne Wotana Kaye

I truly ache for the brave people of Iran who are standing up for the right of free speech and democracy. The awful irony is that many of their parents' generation cried out for freedom too, demanding the removal of the despotic Shah. Yet who did they get in his place? Ayatollah Khomeini! The ordinary citizen, literally the man (or woman) in the street is betrayed on all sides. I pray that one day soon Iran will become a truly free country.

Anne Wotana Kaye

I truly ache for the brave people of Iran who are standing up for the right of free speech and democracy. The awful irony is that many of their parents' generation cried out for freedom too, demanding the removal of the despotic Shah. Yet who did they get in his place? Ayatollah Khomeini! The ordinary citizen, literally the man (or woman) in the street is betrayed on all sides. I pray that one day soon Iran will become a truly free country.

Brian Moshe

Thank you for this, Melanie.

To those who accuse you of being like that hideous fictional character in 'Little Britain', I say they clearly have no idea of where you stand on human worth, human rights, freedom, liberty and democracy.

I have read Shirin Ebadi's moving book about her life (and by extension Iranian life in general) under the theocratic regimes following the revolution.

Shirin Ebadi, Iran's leading human rights lawyer, has risked her life to defend victims of the regime and quite justly won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the award to the latest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and it is a brilliant and stunning suggestion by Emanuele Ottolenghi that Obama should give his Prize to Ms Ebadi.

Much as I would love to be wrong I fear there is as much chance of this happening as there was of the Soviet hack-writer Sholokhov giving his Nobel Prize for Literature to some more deserving writer - one who had not only suffered in the Soviet gulag but whose works were actually worth reading.

Dr Michael Salt

I notice that the increasingly risible and corrupt BBC has entirely ignored the story. Who cares about Iran when you can bash Israel eh?

Baron

not knowing enough, it’s hard to make a judgment. Obama’s soft peddling policy towards Iran may have been worth trying, if only because it was a pure opposite of Bush’s strong-arm stance. By now, however, Obama should have got the message. The mullahs won’t bite. He seems to be either incapable, or too slow grasping it. I cannot comprehend that he could be so blasé about nuclear Iran governed by the current lot. It won’t be just Israel who would be threatened, but the Saudis, Iraq…

the prize should go to Ebadi, but won’t.

steve

Michael Salt: The BBC did have coverage of the demonstrations in Iran. I'm sure its coverage would have been stronger if not for the fact that it has been barred from the country because the Iranian government was unhappy with its post-election coverage.

Greg D

In general, quite a solid article Mel. I agree that it's a mighty shame the West does not do its best to give the Iranian people, most of whom are clearly sick and tired of brutal theocracy, a helping hand.

A few quick questions, though:

'Britain’s human rights (anti-America) activists are champing at the bit to convict British and American politicians and officials – at the very least at the bar of public opinion – for their alleged complicity with the torture of suspected Islamic terrorists. Britain’s human rights (anti-Israel) activists are also intent on arresting Israelis for ‘war crimes’'

Remember writing that back in late October (Wednesday 28th to be exact)? Have you reverted to your Guardian days and now come to extol 'human rights' in general? Or did you just forget to sardonically place '(pro-US)' next to Ms Ebadi's name? That's how the logic works, doesn't it - human rights activists are always pro- or anti-(insert pet country/organisation) aren't they?

I always thought human rights were a scam for political agendas.

Pull the other drumstick.

Frank P

Greg Dyke

"I agree that it's a mighty shame the West does not do its best to give the Iranian people, most of whom are clearly sick and tired of brutal theocracy, a helping hand."

What did you do when you were DG at the BBC to assist in that cause?

j.doe

Who's to say we're not providing tacit support already?

Overt support runs the risk of playing into the "external imperialists" game which the mullahs have played quite deftly for over 30 years.

Iran is not Iraq, or Saudi or even Egypt. It is a highly educated and ancient culture with a diaspora not unlike that of the Jewish nation in terms of achievement (cultural and scientific).

Iran is an advanced, potentially liberal civilisation which is trying to fight its way out of a brutal theocratical suit of armor.

Given the deft management of western institutions it will succeed.

Jon_Boy

I think that you misread the situation somewhat, just like the events in Iraq were miss read.

If the Iranian people are successful in overthrowing their current brutal government we will not be left with a benign democracy.

The Islamic ideals of cultural superirority of other religions and cultures and the assumption that domination of other cultures is an Islamic right will continue in societies like Iran.

The people of Iran would simply produce a new government that is still hostile to America, Israel ad the West and would continue their nuclear activities.

The Iraninans want more freedom for themselves not freedom for the free world from Irans nationalistic/religious activities. They would likely continue to sponsor international terror.

Until the societies of countries like Iran undergo a massive introspective review of their own attitudes towards other cultures and religions, a possible religious reformation process, a move away from religion or mass conversion to Buddhism the out comes that Melanie would like for countries like Iran and hoped for in Iraq are not possible and simply a pipe dream.

In the West we also require that the political secular left also break their political alliance with Islamism and and pan Arab nationalist movements as this will also impeded the move of these societies towards moderation and tolerance.

Keith D

Like j.doe i would like to think that tacit support is already being given to the courageous protesters in Iran.However cries of "Mr Obama,where are you?"would seem to indicate its absence.I am full of admiration for the Iranian opposition who,in the face of repressive brutality,have maintained their cries for democracy.

Contrast this with weary acceptance of Nu Labs war on British society and democracy where hardly a voice has been heard.Not even from the Tories.

I am hardly convinced that President Obama gets it.His policy of appeasement towards the regime in Iran seems to be driven by his wish to put clear daylight between himself and GW Bush.A worthy aim perhaps,but only when appropriate.History teaches us that Islamic regimes view appeasement as a sign of weakness and will take full advantage.

A future where Islamic states are still in theocratic thrall is unlikely to be peaceful.Encouraging and nurturing Iranian democracy would go a long way to making the world a better and safer place.

non-prophet

well the attempts at breaking political, alliances/and islamism,(uk gov) is not going to break the grip of islamism, here, with initiatives like the laughable
"prevent"(to combat extremism/radicalisation).
Just listen in to iplayer (derbyshire 5live 8th Dec, skip through to 20 mins before the end
Prevent scheme Wakefield)
I could hardly believe it,(becoming a more and more regular occurance :-),
where even our liberal host is non-plussed, confused.
You will be too :-D
Still...so pleased, such a "concerted", effort is being made,and money "not wasted" on this vitally important issue, concerning our national security.

Troisbeck

JonBoy makes a good point. Let's not jump to the conclusion that regime change in Iran equals a good thing for the west. Many of the regime changes in the last 20 years (though not all) have not necessarily been for the good - except for the good of the politicians!

cyllan

Where are the campaign for human rights at the university of Glasgow doing?

i havent heard a peep from george and the rest of the crows who pop up everytime they can find a excuse to bash israel.

so what is with this? 2 savage bombs in pakistan this week alone,

continuous protests from Iranian people and no protests in england .

not a word from the media or saint obama.

silence....... murderous silence

PhilipH

I think there is a danger that if the West is seen to be involved then the mullahs will write off the rebellion as foreign interference. If it's seen to be homegrown then their position is much less tenable. The West can help in the background by tightening sanctions and cutting off the regime's finances.

Greg D

Hi Frank, old buddy. I think you might have me mixed up with somebody else.

On reflection, my first remark was rather off the cuff and well off the mark. J.doe, Keith D and PhillipH; well-put.

Saeed

Well down Melanie I have been away and did not have access to internet I read you excellent piece and like to congratulate you.
As Maryam Rajavi, the head of Iranian resistance movement in Paris praised the nationwide uprising of the Iranian people, and especially the brave youths and students, on Students Day (December7), The flames of the vast upheaval that rage today in university campuses across the country, including the cities of Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad, Rasht, Sari, Karaj, Kerman, Ahvaz, Oroumieh, Yasouj, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Ghazvin, Arak, Najafabad, Hormozgan, Maragheh, Marivan, Seqez, Boroujerd, Behbahan, and others, once more brightened for people everywhere the prospect of the inevitable downfall of the absolute rule of the clergy.

Measures such as the mobilization and war-like formations of the regime’s forces on the central streets of Tehran, the besieging of university campuses, the forcible closing of some of the schools and businesses, and transferring the criminal agents of the paramilitary Bassij and plainclothes forces from various cities to the Iranian capital, could not contain the eruption of social protests. The determination of the brave youth, young girls and women who were at the forefront of the protests in many areas, has managed to defeat the monster of suppression.

The Iranian people’s uprising was strengthened as it enters its seventh month. Just a few hundred meters from the residence of the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, the people of Tehran shouted “Death to dictator,” “Death to the principle of velayat-e faqih [absolute clerical rule],” “Death to Khamenei,” and “Khamenei is a murder, his rule is illegitimate.” They demonstrated that they seek the overthrow of the entire religious totalitarianism.

In the midst of the Iranian people’s uprising and as the clerical regime’s suppressive measures take broader dimensions on a daily basis, so dealing and negotiating with this regime is devoid of all legitimacy and must be stopped. The international community must spurn the ruling mullahs in Iran. Any type of concessions offered to them would aid in the suppression of the Iranian people as well as danger to stability of the region.
So Mr President Obama has also a choice as people were chanting in Iran are you with us or with the Mullah?

Meno

Good article. I hope they'll listen!

Mohsen

The quest for freedom in Iran will continue until it is achieved.
Yes the west is more interested in their lucrative contracts with the mullahs, yes there is a defening silence by the world powers on human rights violations by this regime, but you can not stop the will of the majority of Iranians to get ride of this corrupt and brutal regime.
I also like to refer Jon_Boy to the program of the National Council Of Resistance led by Mrs Maryam Rajavi( Yes A Woman).You will find that future leaders of Iran are far more committed to democracy and world peace than some of the western states.(who was it that invaded Iraq mr Jon_Boy?)
Finally Melanie you are so right,"The best way to promote peace is to champion freedom" I hope Mr Obama takes this advice.

pierre garroudi

i can't agree more that the ignoble prize should be given to all western leaders for supporting iranian dictator khamenei and his puppet ahmadinejad by way of appeasement. this appeasing romance should be ended right away

Liz Carter

Thank you very much for this powerful article highlighting the contrast between the courageous people in Iran who are daily risking their lives and liberty to denounce the current regime and the Western "democratic" governments who for whatever reason seem to prefer to deal with the "devil they know" rather than assist these horrendously oppressed people to achieve freedom and peace for themselves. Thank you again for this article.

Diana

I am grateful to The Spectator for this sensible article about current protests in Iran. Of course Obama's failure to denounce the fascist regime of the mullahs is shameful. Of course the British Government's appeasement of that regime is shameful. But equally shameful has been the failure of the free press in the West to report more explicitly on the abominable human rights record of the tyrannical regime in Tehran, recent events in Ashraf, and the collusion between the Iranian regime and the nascent 'democracy' in Iraq. So let's have more articles like this one, so that readers can gain the necessary sense of perspective on Iranian affairs that our leaders clearly want to keep from us.