Proposed Conference On

"Human Rights Violations in Iran And the Reaction of the World Community"
 

Proposed ConferenceOn
Human Rights Violations in Iran
Reaction of the World Community
&
International Avenues to seek Justice

May 2000, 2000
Los Angeles

 By:

 MEHR IRAN

Mission for the Establishment of Human Rights in Iran

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Index:

• Initial Organizers
• Background and "MEHR"’s position
• Conference Topics:
• Invited Partners
• Invited Speakers:
• Planning and Logistics
• Expected Outcome:
• Budgetary issues:

The conference is initiated and organized by MEHR IRAN (Mission for the Establishment of Human Rights in Iran). This group was formed in 1996 and has been active since then on addressing the human rights issues and concerned international organizations including International Criminal Court. MEHR has no affiliation with any political or partisan group and does not receive any funding from any sources. It operates as an entirely volunteer based organization.
 

Background and "MEHR"’s position
 

The international human rights organizations including the United Nations commission on Human Rights continue to cite blatant and systematic violations of Human Rights by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Political leaders and journalists are murdered in cold blood and young students are beaten violently for voicing their concerns at public gatherings.

It is in such environment that some former Government officials of the Islamic Republic boast publicly about the accounts of murder and torture committed by their person or under their direction while in power but continue to enjoy their protected status in Iran.

United States Government has announced its belief that the Islamic Republic continues its financial support for Hezbollah and other terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Contrary to this behavior, the President of the Islamic Republic calls for a "people to people dialogue" with the United States and a growing number of U.S. firms are advocating normalization of relations with Iran.

While economic interests are propelling the idea of trade normalization, the world should not remain silent about gross violations of human rights in Iran. If economic stability relies on political stability, then it is consistent with the long term interests of commercial entities to address the human rights conditions in the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic no doubt wishes to normalize its relations with U.S to help solve its massive challenges in trade and foreign investment and position for membership in World Trade Organization (WTO). However, two decades of anti-American propaganda has pushed the current government between a rock and a hard spot with its own hard line clerics!

We, (MEHR) believe that subject of Human Rights Violations in Iran must receive global attention. To that end, MEHR is exploring the idea of a partnership for organizing an international conference on "Violations of Human Rights in Iran and the reaction of the world community".
 

Conference Topics:
 

1. Human right violations in Iran
2. Inherent correlation between democratic societies and economic security.
3. International mechanisms for the trial of those who have committed crimes against humanity in Iran in the last twenty years. The possible avenues will be:

• International Criminal Court
• Convention Against Torture
• International Tribunal

Invited Partners: (partiallist)

1. International Criminal Court Alliance
2. Coalition for International Criminal Court
3. United Nations Association-USA
4. Center for Peace and Freedom
5. Amnesty International
6. Human Rights Watch
7. World Federalist Association
8. USC School of International Relations
9. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
10. The Carter Center
11. Richard Nixon Library and Birth Place
12. Museum of Tolerance
13. Peace House

• Congressman Dana Rohrabacher ,U.S. House of Representatives
• Jack Healey, Director, Human Rights Action Center
• Michael Warder, Vice President, Claremont Institute
• Bruce Herchensohn, Distinguished Fellow, Claremont Institute
• Sean Butler, International Criminal Court Alliance 
• Dan Mage, International Criminal Court Alliance
• Parviz Dastmalchi, Writer, Human Rights Activist

Planning and Logistics
 

MEHR wishes to conduct this proposed conference in collaboration with interested organizations whose charters address peace, freedom and international security as well as those advocating for human rights. Detailed plans for the conference will be developed as a collaborative effort by partnering entities.

The Conference agenda will solely focus on Violations of Human rights by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the reaction of the world community.
 

Expected Outcome:
 
 

1. To draw the attention of the freedom loving peoples to the grave situation in Iran and seeking their help to pressure the Islamic Republic of Iran to observe the Human Rights. The ideal goal will be to make any relation with the Iranian government contingent upon the complete stop of human right violations certified by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
2. To gain support for bringing to justice those who have committed crimes against humanity in Iran.
3. Publishing the conference resolution.

Budgetary issues:
 

Expenses will include conference promotion, venue, limited underwriting of travel and lodging expenses for speakers, audio/visual equipment and translation services.

Possible revenue sources may include attendance fees, book and video sales, grants, corporate and personal contributions.

MEHR welcomes the input of all interested parties within the defined concept and focus of the proposed conference.

For additional information, Please Contact:

Dr. Mohammad Parvin, Director

MEHR IRAN
P.O. Box 2037
P.V.P., CA 90274

Tel: (310) 377-4590
Fax: (310) 377-3103
E-mail: unpaln@usa.net