IRAN: ZAMPARUTTI- CANCELLING VISIT IS THE MINIMUM FRATTINI COULD DO

May 20, 2009: "Cancelling his visit to Iran is the minimum that Frattini could and should do,” Elisabetta Zamparutti, Radical Deputy and Hands Off Cain director, said.
“However, his motivations were insufficient if they were tied to Iran’s choice to hold the meeting with Ahmadinejad at a location where a long range missile test is taking place. The reasons for his cancellation should be other more serious ones: Frattini should acknowledge and try to stop, not only the threat to world peace and security represented by Ahmadinejad, but more importantly the daily threats the regime in Tehran has practiced against its own people for decades.
This is even more so for a minister of a country that is known for its battle to obtain a universal moratorium on capital punishment. Iran practices executions without limitations and with methods of inconceivable ferocity. In these first months of 2009, executions have increased 70% compared to the same period last year. Just in the month of May, 21 people were hanged between May 2nd and 8th, another 9 between the 11th and the 13th, and another 8 on May 16th.
Iran was the only country in the world to execute minors in 2008, at least 13, while at least another 3 were hanged in 2009.
Two people were stoned in December 2008, as well as one in March.
It’s an illusion to think, as Frattini does, that Iran could play a role in stabilising the region. The Mullah’s regime is part of the problem, not part of the solution in that area, from Lebanon to Palestine and Iraq. It destabilises externally to achieve internal stability.” (Sources: radicali.it, 20/05/2009)