FISN Letter to Council on Foreign Relations protesting their decision to invite Ebrahim Raisi to a panel discussion

September 14, 2023

CC: Mr. David M. Rubenstein (CFR Chairman) 

Dear Mr. Froman,

This letter is on behalf of the Free Iran Scholars Network (FISN), a collective of academics and experts who support the Iranian people’s uprising for freedom and promote global unity among scholars, academicians, and professionals to establish a pluralistic, secular, democratic, prosperous and republic Iran. We express our profound dismay and disappointment regarding the Council on Foreign Relations’ recent decision to extend an invitation to Ebrahim Raisi of Islamic Republic of Iran to participate in an upcoming panel discussion.

Raisi has been directly involved in egregious human rights abuses and crimes against humanity, as follows:

• Massacre of Political Prisoners: Raisi played a pivotal role in the 1988 massacre of thousands of political prisoners in Iran. This brutal event is widely regarded as a crime against humanity and a dark stain on Iran’s history.

• Suppression of Dissent: Under Raisi’s leadership, Iran has witnessed an alarming escalation in the suppression of political dissent, the imprisonment, torture and death of journalists, and the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities.

• Violation of International Norms: Raisi’s administration has continued to defy international standards by pursuing aggressive and destabilizing policies in the Middle East, supporting terrorist organizations, and contributing to regional conflicts.

The United States Congress has called for sanctioning President Raisi for human rights abuses in multiple resolutions and acts over the years, including HRes 188, HRes 100, and just this week, HR 589. Given his track record and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s continued disregard for human rights and international standards, extending an invitation to him for a panel discussion not only undermines the principles of human rights and justice but also grants legitimacy to a regime that has shown a consistent pattern of gross human rights violations.

We urge the Council on Foreign Relations to reconsider its decision to invite Ibrahim Raisi to participate in any panel or event. By doing so, the Council risks condoning the actions of a regime that has consistently violated the very values and principles that the Council stands for.

We understand the importance of dialogue and engagement in addressing complex international issues, but we believe that such engagement should be predicated on a commitment to upholding the highest standards of human rights, justice, and accountability. We welcome an opportunity to discuss alternative perspectives and recommendations for fostering constructive dialogue on Iran’s role in the international community without compromising these principles or including those who are in clear violation of them.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We hope that the Council on Foreign Relations will reconsider its decision and uphold its mission of promoting understanding and informed discussion of foreign policy issues. 

Respectfully

Executive Committee of Free Iran Scholars Network (FISN)