Title: Unpacking Ibrahim Raisi's Controversial Presidency in Iran
Starting off, Ibrahim Raisi, now Iran's president, swore in August 2021. His tenure has been paved with controversy domestically and globally. Born on 14th December 1960 in Mashhad, Raisi's roots run deep in Islam due to his father being a religious leader and his mother belonging to the influential Hodadad family. Upon attending Qom Seminary and obtaining a law degree from Shahid Motahari University, Raisi wed Jamileh Alamolhoda in 1983, with whom he shares two daughters.
Raisi's career has been filled with allegations of human rights violations during his role as a prosecutor during the Iran-Iraq War. He was said to have been part of a "death commission" that orchestrated the extrajudicial executions of thousands of political dissidents in 1988. Regardless of these accusations, he has maintained a strong bond with Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while being critical of Western engagement.
Delving into Raisi's presidency, it is easy to witness a tightening of human rights, with the arbitrary detention of peaceful dissidents, human rights defenders, and minority group members. International human rights organizations have expressed their concerns, leading to widespread criticism.
Likewise, web freedom has been curtailed under Raisi, with popular social media platforms like Instagram blocked as part of the wider suppression of online freedom. This move has been criticized by international observers.
In terms of nuclear policy, Raisi has indicated Iran will adhere to the 2015 nuclear deal if approved by the Supreme Leader. Nevertheless, he has boosted uranium enrichment and restricted international inspections. This, in turn, has intensified tensions with Western countries.
Raisi's approach to Western engagement is expected to toughen Iran's stance, advocating for sanctions to be removed. Meanwhile, he is working to forge ties with neighboring countries, but he is mindful not to overstep boundaries in international interactions.
Regionally, Iran has continued its conflict with Israel and escalated tensions by launching missile attacks, which has further strained regional relations.
The demise of Raisi, who was poised to become the next supreme leader, has added complexity to the succession plan of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This could potentially impel more aggressive foreign policy maneuvers as different factions compete for influence within Iran.
Confronting international pressure, human rights issues and nuclear activities in Iran remain under the microscope. The recent uproar resulting from Mahsa Amini's death has highlighted these concerns, spurring calls for increased pressure on Iran's ruling clerics.
The international community, in response to human rights abuses and nuclear policies under Raisi's leadership in Iran, has taken multifaceted and significant actions. The US, for instance, didn't criticize Iran's human rights record for the first time at the 48th Session of the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council, but other nations, such as the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, and Paraguay, fiercely condemned Iran's handling of women's rights, high rates of executions, and suppression of dissidents.
The European Union (EU) persists in condemning human rights violations in Iran, urging the Iranian authorities to uphold human rights for all - specifically for women and girls and persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities - and advocating for the abolition of capital punishment and cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms.
Mahsa Amini's death sparked shock and dismay among human rights activists, such as Nazanin Afshin-Jam, who emphasized the importance of keeping human rights abuses in the spotlight and advocating for accountability.
Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard censure Raisi's involvement in executions and other human rights abuses, recalling his role in the 'death commission' responsible for extrajudicial executions in 1988.
Addressing Iran's nuclear policies, the international community remains worried about Iran's activities, which it suspects of masking efforts to develop nuclear weapons capacity. The U.S. has accused Iran of fomenting extremist violence in the region, an accusation Iran denies.
To summarize, the UN and other international bodies, as well as human rights activists, have expressed concerns about Iran's human rights record under Raisi's tenure. Additionally, nuclear activities are under scrutiny, with the U.S. accusing Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons capacity. These concerns have prompted extensive international criticism and actions.
