Tehran, Iran, June 28
By Temkin Jafarov - Trend:
Western countries, particularly the United States, consider any violations, even those connected with the human rights, that are taking place in the countries, which obey the US and comply with its interests, justified, a member of the Committee on Foreign Policy and National Security of the Iranian parliament Mohammad Saleh Jokar told Trend June 27.
He made the remarks commenting on the recent events in Armenia and the silence of Western countries in connection with human rights violations during rallies in the country.
On June 23, the Armenian police broke up a rally in the center of the country's capital. The rally was held in protest against the increased electricity tariffs. The protests in the streets resulted in use of water cannons against people. Over 230 people got arrested as a result of violent crackdown, including journalists of Gala TV, the Radio Liberty's Armenian office, the Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper, the Hetq, News.am, Panarmenian.net news agencies.
On June 17, Armenia's Public Services Regulatory Commission, considering a request from the distribution company, Electric Networks of Armenia, which is a subsidiary of the Inter RAO UES, raised the electricity tariffs by 6.93 Armenian drams (about $0.015). This caused discontent among the population that believes the rise in the cost of electricity will lead to higher prices for essential goods and many services.
If force and pressure are used against the people in the countries which obey the West, it is shown like democracy and human rights, according to the MP.
He went on to add that this principle does not apply to those countries which don't obey the West.
He said that the countries of the West apply double standards in relation to such issues as human rights and terrorism.
"They use it in their own interests, rather than in the interests of the people," said the MP.
Unfortunately, today some countries are talking about human rights, while they themselves violate them, said Saleh Jokar.
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