Human Rights Activists And Ganji's Experience

Rooz Online:

One of the dangers for human rights is to politicize the defense of human rights issues. This means that some human rights activists may consider the political tendencies of the victim of human rights violation and set their defense on a particular political ideology or mind-set. READ MORE

Unfortunately, this characteristic has existed in Iran as well, and we have repeatedly witnessed that once a political or social activist is mistreated or is under pressure, only those who associate with his ideology will rush to his the victim’s aid. Such an attitude may be acceptable and normal if it entails a greater effort to assist the victim.

However; if this attitude leads to indifference on behalf of the human rights activist towards the human rights victims that hold opinions different from the activist, it demonstrates an insincerity in the human rights activist. This is so because the modern interpretation of human rights, equal opportunity, and fairness cross ideological or political lines.

The case of imprisoned journalist Akbar Ganji is an example where support and defense are on values beyond his ideological and political thoughts and inclinations. A look at the support Ganji has received indicate that those who struggle for his cause and release, come with different ideological convictions.

Furthermore, these activists and sympathizers are focusing on the state of Ganji’s “life”, as opposed to the other violations he is subjected to. And they are doing this without attempting to utilize it to advance their political ideology or views.

This is a healthy sign of the maturity of the Iranian activist. I hope that this emphasis on a victim’s “individual rights” will be extended to all other political or conscience prisoners incarcerated in Iran, regardless of their political ideology and beliefs.