By Sara Akrami and Saeed Ghasseminejad

As long as the priority of democratic governments is the establishment of freedom and democracy rather than financial gain, then the roots of authoritarianism will gradually dissolve throughout the world, and equality and justice will replace authoritarianism. Democratic governments must function as role models for authoritarian regimes and provide the hope of freedom and dignity for citizens living under oppressive rule.

Democratic governments can help oppressed people achieve their goals for democracy by pressuring authoritarian governments in the international arena, by supporting democratic elections and referendums, and by offering financial and political help to opposition groups and social movements who work for regime change against these governments.

One of the most significant examples of authoritarian governance is in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite its inhumane and terrorist nature, it has remained in power for 32 years. Misguided Western policies, including those of the United States, especially under the Obama administration, have helped the government of Iran remain in power, disrupt peacemaking efforts in the Middle East, and endangering the safety of the entire world.

Although it is true that Iran does hold elections, these elections are generally not free. Elections are one of the key indicators of democracies. Pluralistic societies should promote elections in Iran where free and transparent suffrage is restricted. In this way, Iranian citizens with different political ideologies would be able to express their ideas through their votes and representatives.

Although the danger of fraud exists during elections in Iran, democratic governments can prevent this by sending international organizations to supervise the elections. If democratic governments are vigilant about the promotion of democracy in Iran, then the eventual outcome will be greater rights and freedoms. After the 2009 election in Iran, when thousands of dissidents were protesting in the streets of various cities, the West missed its best chance to overthrow the Islamic Republic. For example, President Obama was sending amicable messages to the ruthless Supreme Leader of Iran.

Democratic states can force Iran to change its behaviour by isolating the Islamic Republic in the international arena. Since Iran has the worst human rights record, democratic governments can pressure the Islamic regime into admissions about its human rights violations. Iran could be forced to reveal embarrassing truths about its policies and attract the attention of international organizations, such as Amnesty International and the United Nations, that work to promote justice and freedom.

Once Iran’s behaviour is altered, these organizations can monitor human rights practices and try to keep torture and execution to a minimum. When Amnesty International and the United Nations send their representatives to Iran for inspection, these organizations can publicize human rights violations to the whole world. The Islamic Republic of Iran would be subject to extreme pressure from the world and would stop practicing inhuman treatment of its citizens.

The judiciary is used throughout the democratic world to uphold justice and ensure that every individual receives a fair trial. An international court, such as the International Court of Justice in Hague, would be a useful venue to make the leaders of the Islamic Republic accountable for their policies and actions.

Economic sanctions can be used to persuade the Islamic regime to alter its behaviour — as long as Iranian citizens do not suffer as a result. Western countries which have oil-rich trading partners like Iran can impose a trade embargo on the regime and thereby pressure its leaders into adopting more democratic practices. A common response to Iran’s misdeeds from democratic nations and the international business community is to sever economic ties with the republic.

A further approach that democratic governments can take toward Iran is to offer tangible and intangible support to the growing social movements and opposition groups who work for regime change. Since the most certain way to spread democracy in Iran is eliminating the regime rather than trying to reform it, political opposition groups and social movements play an important role.

When democratic governments support labour movements, women’s movements, student movements, and different opposition groups who truly work to achieve democracy and freedom for their country, Iranian citizens will be persuaded to join these groups to advocate for a change of government.

When the vast majority of Iranians object to the current government through demonstrations and other political activities, the Islamic Republic will have no choice except to step down from its position of power. In other words, it would be more effective when regime change in Iran is achieved by Iranian citizens rather than by military invasion of foreign powers.

Since the Iranian people have been forced to live out their lives under the tyranny of the Islamic Republic for 32 years, democratic nations of the West, including the United States, need to make it their responsibility to promote fair human rights practices.

Democracies are well-positioned to improve human rights conditions in authoritarian nations like Iran. They can promote the democratic model by setting an excellent example and by offering support to social movements and opposition groups within these countries. Strong democratic role models that will encourage political change from within authoritarian regimes is more likely to bring about lasting political change than external military force.

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Sara Akrami is the founder and president of the Human Rights Activists Association at York University in Canada.

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Related: Dictator Watch, Foreign Policy, Human Rights, Iran, Obama, Reform

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