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November 10, 2012
US Violates Agreement; Punishes Iran
By Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
The hypocrisy of the latest sanctions on Iran is a violation of international law and bilateral agreement.
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In its latest act of blatant hypocrisy, the Obama administration has sanctioned Iran over internet and media censorship . The Administration's pretentious concern for the Iranian peoples' welfare is all the more offensive in light of the harsh, illegal, and life-threatening sanctions imposed on that nation, aptly described by The New England Journal of Medicine as a "war against public health " (Gowans). The Obama administration would have us believe that it is concerned about human rights and freedom of expression where it has no regard for life itself, much less freedom.
President Obama is not alone or the first in this contradictory policy. In one of the more recent events relating to the topic, Mr. Obama's champion during the 2012 presidential race, Bill Clinton, revealed
Although these broadcasts were an important component of the implementation of genocide, counter-broadcasts urging the perpetrators to stop never took place.
A reason given by
International Law & State Sovereignty
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a guarantee of freedom of expression: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinions, without interference, and to seek, receive and impact information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
However, in the same Article, there are provisions for restrictions:
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.
Furthermore, Article 2(4) of the UN Charter states that "All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."
The
The Carter administration's clandestine radio broadcasts into
Piracy and broadcast not only violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, but also violated a bilateral agreement.
Bilateral Agreement
The January 19, 1981, the
"I: Nonintervention In Iranian Affairs 1. The
Since its very inception, the
It is abundantly clear that
One would be hard-pressed to believe that the newly imposed sanctions on
[i] Stephen Shalom -- citing David Binder, "U.S. Concedes It Is Behind Anti-Khomeini Broadcasts", New York Times, 29 June 1980, p.3 and . Tower Commission, p. 398; Farhang, "Iran-Israel Connection," p. 95
Soraya has lived and studied in-Iran, UK, France, and has obtained her Master's degree in Public Diplomacy from USC Annenberg and USC School for International Studies, Los Angeles.- She is an independent researcher, public speaker, radio commentator, political columnist, and peace activist.-