Iran ready to host 'human rights' conference
LONDON, January 2 (IranMania) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the Iranian government is ready to host
a conference on 'human rights' between the Islamic and European thinkers, accoding to IRNA.
Asked about dialogue on human rights between Iran and the European Union, he said that Iran is ready to organize a
conference on 'human rights' between thinkers from Muslim nations and European states in presence of Western media
networks to be broadcast without censorship.
The president said that human rights is a sacred value which should not be abused for propaganda campaign or political
objectives.
He said that Iran seeks dialogue on human rights not only with certain states which are misusing the topic for
propaganda purposes, IRNA added.
"Iran advocates dialogue on human rights with international community to be pursued in its true sense and on equal
footing." He made a proposal according to which Iran would send representatives to European states to study freedom of
_expression, prisons conditions and women or children there and in return, the European states will be able to send
delegation to Iran to study human rights situation in the country. So, the report of the European delegation about human
rights in Iran and that of the Iranian delegation to Europe would be published for the public opinion without any
censorship.
Responding to a question about the hue and cry the Europeans embarked in reaction to his statement about revenge for the
holocaust perpetrated by German army, he said that intensity of their reaction indicated that there is something wrong
with it, IRNA stated.
He said that Iran makes a distinction between Judaism and Zionism and believes that Zionism has been created to take
revenge from Muslims for the mass killing of Jews by German Army.
Ahmadinejad said that the question is why the Europeans are afraid of holding a debate on the human tragedy and consider
it a red line. "Why don't the Europeans who perpetrated the crime pay the price themselves?" Iranian president asked.
He said that human rights of every individual should be honored irrespective of religion.
President Ahmadinejad said that when he saw the angry reaction of the Europeans to his statement about the holocaust, he
asked himself whether the needle had struck their sensitive nerve.
Iranian president said that the Europeans have expelled Jews from Europe and deported them to occupied Palestine, this
practice is in itself actually anti-Semitic.
"In fact the Europeans have practiced ethnic cleansing against the Jews in Europe by expelling the Jews from all the
European states.
"They have shot two targets with a single bullet: They have built a Jewish camp among the Islamic nations and got rid of
the Jews from the whole of Europe. The 'Zionist' regime is a part of Europe, which was broken away from Europe, and is
anti-Islamic in nature," President Ahmadinejad said.
Iran's Asefi favors talks on human rights
LONDON,! January 4 (IranMania) - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said that President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad's proposal on negotiations between Iranian and European intellectuals on human rights is practical and
effective, IRNA reported.
Speaking to the media in his weekly briefing, he said that the issue has been discussed at several sessions and that
some primary steps have been taken to the effect.
He hoped that Iranian foreign minister will dispatch a letter to European countries on the matter in the near future.
Asefi expressed Iran's deep concern over the human rights situation in the West, including Europe and the US. Turning to
eavesdropping by the US, he noted, "Such a move is a threat to the freedom of citizens and in violation of human
rights."
"Similarly, in Europe, the situation of minorities, prisons, Muslims, women, in particular veiled ladies in some
European countries, is the cause for concern for Iran and many other Islamic countries."
He noted that suggestions are being drawn up in this respect and dialogue between the intellectuals of the two sides is
believed to be a beneficial and practical idea.
Asefi said that the matter is being dealt with by Iran's Foreign Ministry a! nd foreign embassies in Tehran.
In response to the question whether assessment of Russia's proposal means that it is acceptable to Iran, he said that
once a definite scheme is presented, the country's outlook will be declared.
"A Russian delegation to be headed by Russia's deputy foreign minister is expected to arrive in Tehran to discuss the
issue in the coming week. "If enrichment in Russia is to be proposed, it has already been declared that it will be
unacceptable to us. However, it can be a different matter if it is viewed as a parallel and complementary proposal, in
which case it should be debated," he added.
About the desecration of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) by Danish daily, Jylland-Posten, he dismissed it as a mischievous move
not acceptable by any logic or criterion.
"Such a blasphemy against the sanctity of others under the guise of _expression of freedom is neither advisable by the
media laws nor any other set of regulations.
"The Danish ambassador to Tehran was summoned to be informed of the matter as well as our protest. Iran's ambassador to
Denmark also attempted to discuss the issue with Danish officials and the case will be followed up," he added.