August 4, 1400
The Honorable Enrique Mora
Political Director
European External Action Service
European Union
Dear Mr. Mora,
It has been reported in the media that you planned on attending the presidential inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran tomorrow. By travelling to Iran for the inauguration, you are legitimizing a regime which, among many acts of violence against Iran’s people, engaged in a brutal crackdown against peaceful demonstrators in November 2019. Then, when law-abiding citizens were demonstrating in favor of basic human rights, thousands were killed in several cities.
As a European, I trust you know that citizens of the European Union are permitted by law to rally publicly to voice their opinions. In Iran, such demonstrations in favor of basic human rights lead to death at the hands of a government that has a shoot-to-kill policy against its own people!
When you step on Iran’s soil on your planned visit, you should know that children under the age of 18 who demonstrated because they did not have water to drink, in the province of Khuzestan, are now being tortured in Iran’s prisons for having done so. I have personally experienced imprisonment, torture and solitary confinement in some of the same prisons for standing up for human rights in Iran.
Everyday Iranians are experiencing the brutal ways of the regime every day, in some way. Imprisonment, torture, death. This is our experience. And, you are the special guest of those that drive these inhumane policies. You are a tool of their propaganda machine. Congratulations! If you travel to Tehran, the regime will win another round in the eyes of the international community because you chose to provide it legitimacy when it has none from everyday Iranians who suffer, for among other reasons, not importing vaccines from the West to combat COVID-19.
As a human rights activist, I cannot accept your decision to travel to Iran. I hope you change your travel plans. You will do so for the sake of all Iranians who suffer each and every day.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Narges Mohammadi
Human Rights Activist
