Iran deserves our attention: ‘We must share our knowledge about this conflict’
Debate image: ANP
‘Don’t forget us. Don’t stop talking about Iran.’ In a packed lecture hall at the new Spui Campus in The Hague, a panel discussion was held this Tuesday on recent developments, tensions and the wave of state violence in Iran.
Together with the students, staff and other attendees, two panels of researchers, journalists, policymakers and activists soon made it clear that this debate met a need: the need to talk openly about the conflict. For organiser Babak RezaeeDaryakenari, this isn’t just a need; it’s a duty. ‘As academics, we have a responsibility to society to share our knowledge of conflict zones with a wide audience.’
RezaeeDaryakenari, an associate professor of International Relations, researches geopolitics, political power, and protest and repression in authoritarian regimes, with a particular focus on Iran. ‘We want to explore and debate this from multiple angles: political, sociological, journalistic, security studies and international relations perspectives. You need a sober, analytical helicopter view to help make sense of the complex conflict in Iran.’
Fear changes lives and society
Each panellist analysed the situation in Iran through the lens of their own discipline or experience. Leiden professor Don Weenink, for instance, who studies violence, explained why it is that people continue to demonstrate despite the widespread violence and loss of life.
Human rights activist Sara Nozohour, who was born in Iran, describe what it means for Iranians to live under constant fear in a repressive system. ‘Fear changes lives and society. Activists, and ordinary citizens, take enormous risks simply by demanding basic rights and taking to the streets. People aren’t numbers or names or photos. People are lives. Don’t forget us. Don’t stop talking about Iran. Tell their stories. Be their voice.’
Incomparable
This call resonated with the other experts in the room. The panel opened a discussion with the audience about why Iran receives relatively little coverage, despite thousands of deaths and ongoing violence. There is no clear answer.
‘Iran isn’t a priority in the international media’, said RezaeeDaryakenari. ‘There’s a general lack of knowledge and information about the country. Iran cannot be compared with other countries in the Middle East. That leads to a cautious or conservative approach to the conflict. Or to no attention at all.’
He hopes events like this debate will bring about change. ‘As academics, we have a responsibility to share our knowledge and insight with the world. There’s a symposium about the war in Ukraine taking place in another room, which is incredibly important as well. It’s good that the university is making space for both. We must continue to do so.’
This sentiment was shared across the room. One student, visibly moved, thanked the panellists and organisers. ‘This is the first time I’ve been able to attend a debate and discussion here about Iran,’ he said. ‘It means a great deal to me.’
Community. Conversation. Connection.
Lectures, debates and events about social and political issues that affect our university community.
Global tensions are increasingly felt within our university community. The university aims to counter this by creating space this academic year for lectures, debates and meetings on today’s most pressing issues: war and peace, intolerance, human rights, polarisation, securitisation, climate and more. Let’s listen to one another and keep the conversation open.
The list of Community. Conversation. Connection. events will be updated throughout the academic year.