Human rights advocacy group B’nai B’rith International called on the EU to cancel the planned 5-day trip to Iran by a 15-member European Parliament delegation on October 27 for a “bridge building exercise.”
“If this delegation goes to Tehran it would be counterproductive to the efforts being made to isolate Iran,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said.
“Going over there with the intention of ‘bridge building’ is the exact opposite of what needs to happen. Instead the EU must continue to press Iran to hold its government accountable for efforts to create nuclear weapons.”
The announcement of the parliamentary trip comes just after the EU on Monday imposed further harsh sanctions against Iran.
“Engaging the Iranians in this way only kicks the can further down the road,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.
It sends the wrong message to a country that has no regard for its own people and no regard for international peace or stability. Better to increase sanctions as the E.U. announced.”
The last time the EU sent a parliamentary delegation to Iran was in 2007. Several people were hanged in public during their visit in a clear showing of disregard for the European representatives, says B’nai Br’ith.