Human Rights in the News: Iran Abuses

While this week has been all about nuclear weapons and the attempt of the UN to keep the proliferation of WMD's from escalating, especially in Iran, Faraz Sanei's article reminds us that we cannot forget about the blatant, gross human rights abuses at the hands of Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Including but definitely not limited to violence towards and imprisonment of journalists, human rights activists, minorities and more. Further, Iran executed 388 people in 2009, many of whom protested the failed election last year, while still others were killed for "enmity with God". The article highlights that Iran faces the Human Rights Council in Geneva and has made no real reform that the Council previously demanded. It also calls for the "United States and other countries [need] to keep up the pressure"; but I'm wondering what this means exactly? Certainly the U.S. can apply little to no pressure with regards to Iran's death penalty policy. And while we can and should call for the release of political prisoners and freedom of press, what can be done? Historically we have proven inept to apply the right kind of pressure. While the abuse and injustice in Iran warrants serious rebuke, what actions are necessary? Surely it is not enough for "the people of Iran [to] know that the world has not forgotten them".