Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has described reports of an Iranian man being sentenced to eye-gouging under Islamic sharia law as “deeply concerning” amid warnings government senators the case exposed shortcomings in Australia’s quest to normalise ties with Iran.
Oslo-based Human Rights NGO is highlighting the case of “Saman”, whom Iran’s Supreme Court has ruled must be gouged, as punishment for allegedly blinding another man in a street fight. Saman has argued he accidentally blinded the other man with a metal rod during their fight.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Fairfax Media that Australia has consistently urged Iran to improve its human rights record.
“These reports, if accurate, are another example of Iran’s deeply concerning approach to human rights,” the minister said.

“Australia raises issues of concern with Iran, including human rights, on a regular basis.  We have consistently urged progress on this front, both bilaterally and in relevant United Nations bodies.”
On Wednesday, government senators Cory Bernardi and James Paterson expressed their concerns about Saman’s case. Senator Bernardi questioned whether Australia should be cosying up to Iran.
“How can we justify opening diplomatic relations with a country that wants Israel destroyed, imprisons Christians ,” Senator Bernardi said.
“We should never turn a blind eye to such injustices,” he added. 
Senator Paterson said it showed Iran had a long way to go before it would be “recognised and respected” in the international community.
“As Australia and other Western nations seek to normalise our relations with Iran, we cannot ignore its appalling record of human rights abuses and medieval justice,” Senator Paterson said. 
Ms Bishop said Iran’s human rights record is subject to scrutiny by the Human Rights Council and the Special Rapporteur on the Situation on Human Rights in Iran.  She reiterated that she raised human rights with her Iranian counterpart Mohammed Javad Zarif during his visit to Australia a fortnight ago.
Zarif ’s comments in his visit to Australia angered former cabinet ministers Eric Abetz and Phillip Ruddock who told News Corp Iran was in no position to lecture Australia.
 There are wider concerns across the Parliament about Australia’s expanding relationship with Iran.  Earlier this month, the Senate quietly forced an inquiry into Australia’s partial suspension of sanctions against Iran, even though it was in line with the rest of the world following the completion of an historic nuclear deal that restricted Iran’s nuclear activity in return for the easing of international restrictions.
The Senate inquiry, which was established on March 17, came on the same day Dr Zarif became the first Iranian foreign minister since 2002 to visit Australia. The Senate’s foreign affairs committee will examine the “nature and scope” of public consultation prior to the softening of sanctions and the decision to reopen an Austrade office in Tehran.
The Labor Party was approached for comment about Saman’s case but did not respond before deadline. The opposition’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek has previously accused Ms Bishop of turning a blind eye to Iran’s human rights records.

Source: Australian Media,  March 30