Rouhani Should Give Priority To Religious Freedom in Iran

Next week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will take the world stage for the first time as he addresses the UN General Assembly in New York. No one expects him to follow along the lines of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who used the platform to spew vitriol for eight years. In fact, it’s likely that Rouhani will speak in conciliatory tones.

During his election campaign, Rouhani said he wanted a swift resolution with the West on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and already he has made some tactical overtures to the West. But at home, when it comes to Iran’s harsh treatment of its own people, Rouhani has yet to clarify how he plans to deliver on another campaign promise to make the government more respectful of its people's rights. In deciding how to decipher his plans on nuclear matters, the world would do well to watch how Rouhani deals with his own people.

During the campaign, Rouhani pledged to issue a “civil rights charter,” which would call for equality without discrimination based on race, religion, or sex as well as provide greater freedom for opposition parties and minorities — in part by releasing political and other prisoners.

Last month, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran published a report offering Rouhani a road map for turning these pledges into reality. The recommendations focus on executive branch actions under his purview. However, some question Rouhani’s ability to make good on improvements because of limits imposed on him by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate veto power on key domestic issues.