Open Letter from Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Prime Minister of Denmark
Open Letter from Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Prime Minister of Denmark
In The Name of Allah
The Rt. Hon. Ms. Mette Frederiksen
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark
I avail myself of this opportunity to respond to the statement attributed to Your Honour about “Iran standing on the wrong side of history’, following the April 13, 2024 legitimate retaliatory response by the Iranian armed forces to the Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy in Syria.
You are cordially reminded that on Monday April 1st, 2024 the attack on the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus killed many, among them, seven senior Iranian military advisors who were in the country to advise the Syrian government in its fight against the terrorist group ISIS.
In view of the inviolability of diplomatic premises under international law and diplomatic Conventions, Iran expected condemnation of the Israeli strike on its diplomatic premises from all nations, particularly from those claiming moral high ground on respect for international law, and above all, from the United Nations Security Council.
It is regrettable that some nations, though continually calling for restraint and de-escalation “to avoid a wider conflict” failed to condemn the Israeli attack, which was precisely contrary to the calls for restraint, and deliberately intended to widen the conflict in the region by dragging Iran into a war with Israel’s allies, most notably, the United Sates, in order to deviate attention from ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
Iran, intent on avoiding this Israeli trap, exercised maximum restraint for ten days while engaging in dialogue with the UN and others. However, in the absence of a response from the UN SC due to the opposition by certain permanent members of the Council, my country was left with no option but to exercise its inherent right of self-defence as outlined in Article 51 of UN Charter for the Israeli violation of its sovereignty.
It is further to be borne in mind that Iran’s response was measured, limited, intentionally avoided civilian or economic targets, and only aimed at the two air bases that had been involved in the attack on the Consular Section of the Embassy in Damascus.
Your Honour, in view of the often-stated positive position by Danish officials, including yourself, on the all-important need for respect for human rights, a reaction was expected for the war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide taking place in Gaza and elsewhere in occupied Palestine. Visual evidence coming out of Gaza, of the most abject cruelty – death, destruction, starvation and de-humanization – particularly against women and children, that has shaken the conscience of the world deserved not just condemnation but an outcry. Sadly, none have been forthcoming from those considering themselves to be on the right side of history.
According to figures to date, in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, at least 35000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed and 78000 wounded, thousand are unaccounted for, presumed buried under the rubble, nearly 30,000 children, some with life-changing injuries, are orphaned with many having no surviving relatives to take care of them, 380,000 housing units, 412 schools and universities, 556 mosques, three churches and 206 archaeological and heritage sites, as well as 32 hospitals and 53 health centres have been destroyed. Alas, a word of condemnation from those “standing on the right side of history”!
It is a fact of life that killings and destruction will not bring about peace and security for any one or any nation. According to UN, in Gaza alone, 19000 children have been orphaned, or have no adults to look after them. What role had they played in the decades old conflict? What is to be expected of these kids if they survive the ongoing onslaught? What should one expect from people, young and old, who have seen nothing in their entire lives but occupation, suppression and subjugation?
Madam Prime Minister, it is often said that “TRUTH is the first casualty of war”. First of all, this is not a war, it is a one-sided onslaught on a trapped society, mostly women and children, deliberately intended to uproot them. Secondly, TRUTH is not the casualty here, HUMANITY is. The truth is what the world is watching with horror as the crimes against humanity, unprecedented in both modern and old times, are so cruelly taking place against innocent civilians.
Calling for a ceasefire, but failing to act upon it, giving food aid, but not opposing weapons deliveries to Israel to bomb the food trucks is the ultimate moral contradiction. Failure to condemn the atrocities, amongst others, give the Israelis carte blanche and the impunity to continue their campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
It is feared that the unchecked continuation of this genocide will have far-reaching consequences not only for the remaining people of Gaza, but for the region and by extension, for the whole world. It is therefore, incumbent upon all states, politicians, people of influence and the public to weigh in heavily, meaningfully and effectively to stop this carnage. How many more deaths, how much more destruction is needed for the allies of Israel to stand on the right side of history and demand an end to the death and destruction in Gaza.
Afsaneh Nadipour (Ms)
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom of Denmark
Copenhagen – April 26, 2024