Last week, I had the opportunity to decline an invitation to a roundtable discussion hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations with the president of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi. The invitation sparked a brief statement from me explaining why I believe Raisi, a man responsible for mass murder, should not be given any legitimacy.
In recent years, Raisi has been implicated in war crimes and state-sponsored assassinations. A Swedish court found a prison official guilty of war crimes, directly linking Raisi to the policy of exterminating prisoners of conscience in Iran. Additionally, a German court ruled that Iran’s top leaders were responsible for the state-sponsored assassination of regime opponents. These findings highlight Raisi’s involvement in heinous acts and emphasize the need to hold him accountable.
In an email exchange with me, the president of the CFR, Michael Froman, stated that the organization has hosted leaders with controversial policies in the past, including the shah of Iran in 1949 and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2006. While Ahmadinejad’s invitation was met with controversy due to his denial of the Holocaust, there is a distinct difference between him and Raisi. Ahmadinejad may hold reprehensible views, but he has not been implicated in mass murder like Raisi.
The Council on Foreign Relations, as an organization promoting dialogue, should recognize this distinction and take a stance against inviting Raisi. The precedent set by European Union nations withdrawing their ambassadors from Tehran after a court judgment implicating Iranian leaders should apply to Raisi as well. The Swedish case and the actions taken by Western allies demonstrate the importance of holding leaders accountable for their crimes.
The mass killings in Iran in 1988, which were carried out under the fatwa of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, resulted in thousands of executions. Raisi, as Iran’s deputy chief prosecutor, played a role in implementing these orders. Prisoners were interrogated and executed based on their religious beliefs, leading to the deaths of thousands. The families of these victims were denied the right to hold funerals, and the atrocity caused a rupture within Iran’s leadership.
In 2019, the Swedish authorities arrested a former Iranian prison guard involved in the mass killings, bringing some measure of justice to the victims. However, Raisi continues to glorify his role in the atrocities, demonstrating his lack of remorse or accountability.
When Western nations unite to condemn Iran’s actions, it has a significant impact. The trial in Germany, where Iran’s senior leadership was held responsible for assassinations, showcased the power of collective action. Upholding the rule of law is crucial to preserving democracy, and Western nations must stand together against authoritarianism.
By inviting Raisi, the Council on Foreign Relations would be conferring legitimacy on a criminal. As Karl Popper warned, if we do not defend a tolerant society against the intolerant, we risk losing our own tolerance. Inviting Raisi to a prestigious venue and treating him as a reasonable interlocutor would allow him to believe he has escaped accountability for his crimes. It is essential for organizations like the CFR to recognize the message their invitations send and the impact they have on the rule of law.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that Raisi, a man responsible for mass murder, should not be given any legitimacy or platform to further his agenda. The Council on Foreign Relations, as an influential organization, should take a stand against inviting individuals like Raisi and uphold democratic values and the rule of law.
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