US Condemns Iranian Human Rights Abuses, including Against Kurds
Bruce’s condemnation of Iran’s human rights record, as well as the new sanctions, are part of Trump’a tough policy toward Iran and the groups that it supports.
WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) - State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce strongly criticized Iran’s human rights record, including Tehran’s treatment of the country’s Kurdish population.
Also on Friday, the State and Treasury Departments announced new sanctions targeting Hizbollah’s financial operations.
Both Bruce’s condemnation of Iran’s human rights record, as well as the new sanctions, are part of the Trump administration’s tough policy toward Iran and the groups that it supports—the so-called “axis of resistance.”
State Department Condemns Iran’s Human Rights Record
In a press briefing on Friday, Bruce was asked about reports that Tehran had arrested a number of Kurds for participating in Nowruz celebrations and, more broadly, for the U.S. view of Iran’s human rights record.
The Norwegian-based Hengaw Human Rights Organization, which focuses on Iran, reported that over 40 Kurds had been arrested for their involvement in New Year’s celebrations. The Paris-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported 21 arrests.
Indeed, Tehran itself announced such arrests, although it gave a much smaller number: seven. It claimed that those arrested had engaged in “anti-regime propaganda activities” under the cover of Nowruz celebrations.
Bruce responded to the reporter’s question, saying, “Yes, we are aware of those reports that the Iranian regime has been arresting Iranian Kurds for participating in those celebrations.”
“The regime is one of the world’s worst violators of human rights,” she continued, “oppressing the Iranian people to maintain its grip on power and curtailing their exercise of fundamental freedoms.”
“Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and religion are completely ignored,” she added. “The regime unjustly executes more people than any other country, persecutes members of religious and ethnic minority groups, and uses tactics like arbitrary arrest and torture and other violations to intimidate political opponents and squash dissent.”
And she affirmed, “We will continue to support and defend the human rights of the people of Iran against the regime’s continued human rights abuses and authoritarian repression.”
New Sanctions on Hizbollah
On Friday, Bruce also issued a statement announcing a new set of U.S. sanctions on Hizbollah, targeting a Lebanese network that helps provide money for the Iranian-backed organization.
“The United States is today designating a Lebanon-based sanctions evasion network that supports Hizbollah’s finance team, which oversees commercial projects and oil smuggling networks that generate revenue for Hizbollah,” Bruce’s statement explained, while she affirmed, “The United States is committed to supporting Lebanon by exposing and disrupting funding schemes for Hizbollah’s terrorist activities and Iran’s destabilizing influence in the region.”
A statement from the Treasury Department provided details on the targets of the new sanctions: five individuals and three companies. All of the companies are based in Lebanon and all of the individuals are Lebanese.
However, two of the individuals, in addition to their residences in Beirut, also have a second residence in Istanbul. The statement did not address their activities in Turkey and how, if at all, they contributed to financing Hizbollah.
