Iranian officials’ shameless silence on Charlie Hebdo killing

                   

Excerpts of a commentary by German Broadcasting Deutsche Welle, Persian Language Service (translated to English)

What happened in France was a tragedy, however, the greater tragedy was the silence regarding a crime that targeted humanity and human values.

The deadly and terrorist attack, like the one that happened in Paris was a human tragedy. Tragedy happens in a moment but its consequences are far more reaching.

What happened in Paris was an act in which hatred and insanity were combined. A great and unfortunate tragedy. Tragedy that expanded crisis and chaos in the conflict-ridden world.

The silence of the leaders and the officials of the Islamic Republic surrounding this horrific crime is shameful.

Many leaders and officials of the Islamic countries condemned this terrorist attack and described it as an act that is incompatible with the spirit of Islam.

The Arab League, leaders and high ranking officials in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and many others, expressed solidarity and issued statements condemning this blatant crime.

Iran’s position is limited to a statement by Marzieh Afkham, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, which was issued with hours later.

The statement, rather than condemning the perpetuators of this savage crime is more concerned about condemning the abuse of freedoms in the democratic countries.

Is the silence of the Iranian leader, the President and the Foreign Minister on this horrific crime not questionable?

The answer could be found in the Islamic Republics prisons. There aren’t only a few reporters that for their civil bravery and criticizing the authorities have been imprisoned. There aren’t only a few of those who have imprisoned for abusing the freedom of expression or being dissident, or belonging to a religious, ethnic or linguistic minority that have been deprived of their individual and social freedoms.

There aren’t only a few that have been threatened with or sentenced to death and even have lost their lives in the Islamic Republic on charges of blasphemy and insulting the religion.

One cannot be indifferent to the horrific crime. Reaction to this crime categorizes people into two groups: one that clearly and explicitly condemns this terrorist act, while the other that with their approval or silence stand on the side of its perpetuators.

The question on this critical moment is: which group do the leader and officials of this regime belong to?