An alarming trend in Iran
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Re “Iran alleges Internet-based plot to weaken government,” April 12
Iran’s detention and conviction of Iranian American journalist Roxana Saberi is undoubtedly groundless and disturbingly arbitrary.
In past months the Iranian government has shuttered human rights advocacy centers, banned groups with Western ties and jailed countless activists, journalists and scientists, including Kamiar and Arash Alaei, whose participation in international AIDS conferences and information-sharing with foreign doctors landed them in Tehran’s Evin Prison nine months ago. Treating AIDS is not a crime, and neither is talking about public health.
Iran’s crackdown on Western collaboration is an alarming trend that will only serve to stifle progress and cripple the work of Saberi, the Alaeis and others like them. The Obama administration should bear these human rights violations in mind as it inches closer to diplomatic talks with Iran.
Jirair Ratevosian
Chatsworth
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