10-07-2009, 09:02 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Obama Cuts Off Funding for Iranian Human-Rights Documentation </b>Â [Michael Rubin]
I've got to say, even for the Obama administration, this is a real shocker.
The Clinton State Department has decided to cut off all funding for the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC), which was compiling lists of protestors imprisoned in this summer's unrest, as well as those who were killed in the crackdown.
IHRDC is what human-rights advocates should be: methodical, precise, and apolitical in their work. And yet, the Obama administration has, without explanation, cut off all federal funding to the group which has consistently fulfilled its mandate.
Anyone, across the political spectrum who has any interest in human rights in Iran keeps the IHRDC reports on their desks.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It means Iran is able to put pressure on US administration.
I've got to say, even for the Obama administration, this is a real shocker.
The Clinton State Department has decided to cut off all funding for the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC), which was compiling lists of protestors imprisoned in this summer's unrest, as well as those who were killed in the crackdown.
IHRDC is what human-rights advocates should be: methodical, precise, and apolitical in their work. And yet, the Obama administration has, without explanation, cut off all federal funding to the group which has consistently fulfilled its mandate.
Anyone, across the political spectrum who has any interest in human rights in Iran keeps the IHRDC reports on their desks.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It means Iran is able to put pressure on US administration.