UK critics slam EU for imposing sanctions on Press TV
The EU and its western supporters have stepped up their efforts to clamp
down on free speech by imposing travel and financial sanctions on Press TV
CEO Mohammad Sarafraz and newsroom director Hamid Reza Emadi.
The latest move follows previous rounds of sanctions aimed at silencing the
station’s output. Sukant Chandan is an outspoken critic of UK and EU policy
and thinks this is was expected.
The EU claims its sanctions against two of Press TV’s most senior managers
is a result of their part in broadcasting an interview with
Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Behari that was conducted under duress
in 2009. The channel has always strenuously denied these allegations and no
evidence has been produced to substantiate the claims.
The Foreign Office spokesperson declined to be interviewed on camera but
said in a statement, which reads in part
The UK works closely with its EU partners and fully supports the new
listings. We once again call on Iran to abide by its international human
rights obligations. Those listed will be subject to a travel ban and asset
freeze and both will be implemented by the UK.
Press TV’s critical stance on several high profile issues like the EU’s
austerity measures and foreign interventions have made it a target.
There have been previous attempts to silence Press TV. UK media regulator
Ofcom revoked the station’s license and removed it from the Sky platform in
Britain in 2012. It has also been removed from other platforms in Spain,
France and Germany.
These restrictions are just the latest moves in a concerted attempt to
undermine or restrict the alternative message coming from Press TV. With
Iran the ultimate target, the use of sanctions and intimidatory tactics
seem set to continue in one form or another.
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UK critics slam EU for imposing sanctions on Press TV
The EU and its western supporters have stepped up their efforts to clamp
down on free speech by imposing travel and financial sanctions on Press TV
CEO Mohammad Sarafraz and newsroom director Hamid Reza Emadi.
The latest move follows previous rounds of sanctions aimed at silencing the
station's output. Sukant Chandan is an outspoken critic of UK and EU policy
and thinks this is was expected.
UNHRC discusses corruption for first time
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The United Nations Human Rights Council has discussed the case of
corruption for the first time in its history. In its recent session in
Geneva, the UNHRC said corruption has negative effects on human rights,
defining it as an obstacle to the realization of all forms of human rights.
Corruption is an enormous obstacle to the realization of all human rights -
civil, political, economical, social and cultural.
It is not a localized problem of specific countries, religions, societies
or traditions; however, developed countries appeared to be no smaller
affected by corruption than poor ones. According to the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, the developed countries have lost 8,5
trillion dollars to elicit financial flows over the past 10 years.
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Received on Fri Mar 15 2013 - 12:54:44 EDT
