Kambiz Sheikh-Hassani, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s chargé d'affaires and head of mission in Ottawa, and Ershad Ahmadi, Afghanistan's chargé d'affaires in Ottawa, came to Carleton as part of a panel called “Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq: New Systems of Governance, Opportunities and Challenges.”
As Sheikh-Hassani spoke about the democratic nature of Iran’s government, a group of student protesters entered the room, holding up signs critiquing alleged torture and imprisonment of students, journalists and activists. Shortly after, they were removed by campus safety.
Before Sheik-Hassani continued to speak, another member of the crowd shouted, “Don’t try to talk about democracy in your system.”
Throughout the panel, both ambassadors described the obstacles, as well as the evolution of governance in Iran and Afghanistan towards more moderate Islamic democracies.
Sheik-Hassani highlighted the “independent, Islamic and democratic” nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s system of governance. When addressing the challenges facing Iran, Sheik-Hassani stressed that international interference, dictators and lack of unity were at the root of the country’s problems.
During the question and answer period, the Iranian ambassador’s claims were met with further criticism.
“If we’re talking about liberal democracy, which states that basic rights of people are protected, that is not the case in Iran . . . So when you talk about democracy, what do you mean exactly?” said one audience member, adding he was alarmed at the ambassador’s “misrepresentation” of facts.
Other questions focused on allegations of Iran’s strict dress restrictions for women, political prisons, harsh treatment of refugees, and other human rights abuses.
“Thirty-two years of the Islamic republic system of governance has not been easy,” Sheik-Hassani said. “But has any country immediately become a pristine democracy? . . . Every country, every system has its own challenges.”
He asked the audience and the international community for “time to perfect the system.”
Ahmadi, who received a warmer reception from the audience, highlighted the importance of Afghanistan’s relationship with the international community.
“In today’s globalized world, helping a nation out of war and instability and restoring people to their rights and dignity are no longer acts of charity, but the fulfillment of responsibility,” he said.
Ahmadi said Afghanistan has great potential with respect to democratic governance and resource development.
When questioned about ending widespread corruption in Afghanistan, he said the “political will” exists and the country is working to build “the legal and institutional framework” necessary to mobilize the people and eradicate corruption.
Both ambassadors also touched on the role of Western media in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Sheikh-Hassani accused the media of conducting “psychological warfare” with overly negative coverage of the country. He said the media orchestrates “a sense of ‘Iranophobia’ to attack Iran’s relations with the outside world.”
Ahmadi, on the other hand, contrasted the high volume of media coverage Afghanistan receives with the limited knowledge he said most Westerners have of current realities.
“I often wonder at how much justice media spotlights can do to a complex situation such as that of Afghanistan,” Ahmadi said. “At any rate, I grant that media in the West has done a great job in informing [the public]. However, information does not necessarily bring understanding.”
— with files from Anthony Morelli