Iranians in London protest, call for sanctions

Iranian protests have been in the spotlight since June. Photo Credit: Heather Christie

London Iranians gathered outside Downing Street today to protest the West’s perceived appeasement of Iran’s dictatorial regime. Waving flags and chanting slogans, the 50-odd protesters called for severe sanctions against the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The protest was organised by the foreign affairs committee for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Saeed Abed, the council’s chair, argued that the diplomatic route chosen by the UK, EU, and America are not sufficient to help the many Iranian citizens who suffer under the regime.

“Words are weak, we need to take action,” said Saeed Abed, the chair of international relations for the NCRI.

Abed compared the West’s appeasement of Iran to Chamberlain’s pre-WWII appeasement of Adolf Hitler, calling this route “absolutely foolish” given the historic precedent. Instead, he argued governments need to take further steps in order to effect change.

“It is essential to impose a comprehensive sanction on the regime,” Abed said, stating that countries the world over should sever all ties with the Middle Eastern country.

One protester, Zohrah Moalemi, who has been in the UK for 21 years, has experienced the regime’s brutality herself.

“I was imprisoned for two years as a student. Iranian prisons are especially cruel for women, who are raped, tortured, and executed. I always felt I needed to support those who are still suffering under these conditions,” she said.

Moalemi stated that women and students have been key to leading uprisings within Iran.

Political unrest has been reported in Iran since the presidential elections in June that many have said were a sham.

Watch live-streamed footage from the protest: