'Iranian regime interested in preserving power'

The US President, Mr Barack Obama, has said the current Iranian regime is interested in preserving its power rather than respecting the human rights of the people.

“So far, the Iranian government has responded by demonstrating that it cares far more about preserving its own power than respecting the rights of the Iranian people,” Mr Obama said as he greeted Iranians in his Nowruz message.

For nearly two years, there has been a campaign of “intimidation and abuse”, he said.

“Young and old; men and women; rich and poor — the Iranian people have been persecuted. Hundreds of prisoners of conscience are in jail. The innocent have gone missing.

Journalists have been silenced. Women tortured. Children sentenced to death.”

Referring to the recent human rights violation by the Iranian regime, including imprisonment of several rights activists, Mr Obama said these choices do not demonstrate strength but show its fear.

“For it is telling when a government is so afraid of its own citizens that it won’t even allow them the freedom to access information or to communicate with each other. But the future of Iran will not be shaped by fear. The future of Iran belongs to the young people — the youth who will determine their own destiny,” he said.

In his Nowruz message, Mr Obama said this is a holiday for the Iranian people to spend time with friends and family; to reflect on the extraordinary blessings that you enjoy; and to look forward to the promise of a new day.

“After all, this is a season of hope and renewal. And today, we know that this is also a season of promise across the Middle East and North Africa, even as there are also enormous challenges.”

“I believe that there are certain values that are universal — the freedom of peaceful assembly and association; the ability to speak your mind and choose your leaders. And what we are seeing across the region is the insistence on governments that are accountable to the people,” Mr Obama said.

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