Babak Namdar

It seems Germany is finally matching it’s words with deeds.

Previously we saw a lot of lip service being paid to “defence of human rights” all the while German firms were signing mutli-million or multi-billion dollar contracts.

Siemens, Munich Re and Allianz, all German companies that are all pulling out of Iran.

Now, Germany’s foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle says that the Islamic Republic should be prevented from being able to join the UN human rights body.  Mr. Westerwelle goes on to say that the theocracy does not deserve to part of the UN body as it has “violated many of its citizens’ human rights”.

The Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has publicly stated that human rights will not prevent the United States and China from working more closely together.  Human rights organizations expressed shock and disappointment at Clinton’s statements, but they should not worry as the spokesperson for State declared that human rights would be discussed “…when appropriate.”  One gets the idea that it will never be appropriate as far as the State is concerned.

The American government’s new diplomatic strategy seems to involve not raising issues that have been raised previously because as Secretary of State to eloquently stated “…we pretty much know what they are going to say.”

These developments have direct implications on America’s policy towards the Islamic Republic and Iranians.  Clinton has bluntly stated that human rights will not hinder closer business relationships with nations around the world.  What happened to those cherished “American values”?

I don’t mind that a state is trying to further it’s interest, as a matter of fact it’s normal.  What is ridiculous is that for all the talk about American values and ideals, when there are business interests – those values spontaneously all turn into a paperback shade of green.

This should serve as a very-much needed wake up call for all those Iranians who thought the US could be counted on to provide moral support.  We’ll be lucky if the American government doesn’t start openly siding with the regime as opposed to Iranians as the US did during Shah’s tenure.

Those who are clamoring for normalized relations between the regime and the US, seem to think everything will turn from bad to good when in fact history shown to be the opposite.  Those who are wealthy will be able to travel the US, very much like the are now, and those who are poor (currently the vast majority of Iranians) won’t.

As it is, the revenue generated by the sale of oil (a resource which belongs to all Iranians), never really reaches the average Iranian, so what will happen if business is conducted between the US and Islamic Republic?  Probably not a whole lot, the regime will just skim more profits.  With normalized relations the theocracy can do as they feel completely unrestrained, because as long as the US can do business with them, silly things like human rights and equality won’t matter to either party concerned.

And what about those protests or executions of women, minors and political dissidents?  Well simple, the US will just bring up the subject a couple times to the attention of the Islamic Republic and since “we pretty much know what they are going to say” the US will stop bringing it up.

Easy huh?

The fact that the European Union is one of the Islamic Republic’s most important trading partner is not exactly news, nor is the regime’s particular close relationship with Germany.
However, what may be of surprise to some is the amount of technology European firms are providing the government with the second highest rate of executions, the Islamic Republic.

A Wall Street Journal article discusses how some of Europe’s largest companies are helping the Islamic Republic monitor and track communications inside Iran.

There are some points worth mentioning regarding telecommunication companies operating inside Iran.

First, the regime has absolute authority over these companies meaning the Islamic Republic can at any point ask to eavesdrop on any calls.

Second, the telecoms are in a very powerful position since they essentially control a subscribers cell phone. The telecoms have the ability to push software to a cellphone (OTA, over the air) without the user even knowing.

Bruche Schneier, an expert on cryptopgraphy and security talks about telecoms turning on subscribers cellphone’s microphones to hear conversations.

While the European Union is thumping it’s chest declaring their support for human rights, it’s difficult to believe their rhetoric considering they are providing sophisticated technologies to a regime that has a history of violently suppresing human rights.  It is a sad case of irony, that while the EU discusses resolutions for “violations of obligations” by the Islamic Republic, it is helping the very same regime apprehend, arrest and execute political dissidents.

There are steps Iranians inside the country can take, for starters take out cellphone batteries before going to meetings, discussions, etc. It is not enough to just turn your phones off.  By doing this, the regime will not be able to track you or listen in via your cellphone.  Face-to-face meetings that can’t be eavesdropped via technology means they will have to send a human to track and listen to the conversation. Simple arthietmetic dictates they can’t track everyone, especially since a portion of the Intelligence Ministry is sympathetic to their compatriots.

In short, Iranians must begin using more primitive means of communication as they can’t be intercepted as easily as digital communications.