World Press on Iran, Turkey and the Caucasus (November 15, 2010)

On November 15th The Washington Post has published an article on the problem of human rights in Iran. The article is headlined "Iranian human rights lawyer is latest in string of arrests". A prominent
Iranian human rights lawyer was put on trial on Monday, highlighting an intensifying crackdown on lawyers who defend influential opposition politicians, activists and journalists, the author reports. Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested in September and accused of endangering national security. The start of her court case follows the Saturday arrest of five more lawyers in what lawyers are describing as a crackdown on those defending opponents of Iran's leaders.

Another article on Iran published by The Washington Post is devoted to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, an Iranian woman who was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. Iranian state television has broadcast a purported statement by Sakineh Ashtiani in which she calls herself a "sinner." The stoning sentence against the 43-year-old woman has been put on hold and is now being reviewed by Iran's Supreme Court, but she still faces a possible death sentence by other means.

The New York Times has published an article entitled "For Obama, a Quid Pro Quo on Iran". The author underlines that it's been months since Mr. Obama last said an Iranian nuclear weapon was
"unacceptable", which, in classic diplomatic language, means no less than "this shall not stand." The bold position of the President will probably get support of the Republican Party, however now Mr. Obama is criticized by some Republicans (including Senator McCain) for doing nothing brave to support Iran's opposition forces.

Turkish news agency Hurriyet publishes an article devoted to the celebration of Kurban Bayram. The annual practice of putting millions of sheep and cattle to the knife in the name of honoring God is once again prompting debate in Turkey as the Kurban Bayram holiday begins on Tuesday. Critics of the ritual sacrifice involved in the holiday, which is celebrated throughout the Muslim world, say the practice is outdated and fosters violence; they call for it to be reformed - or eliminated altogether.

Iranian news agency Press TV has published an article headlined "Iran FM blames US for Afghan insecurity". The author reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has blasted US forces for conducting military operations that cause casualties and insecurity in war-torn Afghanistan. In a joint press conference with his Afghan opposite number Zalmai Rasoul in Tehran on Monday, Mottaki underlined the strategy adopted in Afghanistan has failed to bring peace and stability to the country years after the war started.