بنیانگذار و عضو سابق #نایاک، #تریتا_پارسی به کنفرانس امنیت خاورمیانه گیگا برلین دعوت شده است، با ارسال ایمیل زیر به همراه مستندات ارايه شده (در رفرنس)، از انستیتیوی برگزار کننده بخواهیم تا دعوت او را لغو نمایند:
To:
eckart.woertz@giga-hamburg.de,bert.hoffmann@giga-hamburg.de,miriam.prys@giga-hamburg.de,verena.schweiger@giga-hamburg.de
Subject: Request to Remove Trita Parsi from GIGA Berlin Middle East Conference Panel
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding Trita Parsi's invitation to the upcoming GIGA Berlin Middle East Conference [1]. As an organization dedicated to fostering informed and meaningful discussions about the Middle East, it is essential that GIGA selects speakers who genuinely represent the voices of the people in the region—especially when it comes to Iran. I understand this matter has likely prompted multiple emails, but as an Iranian, I feel compelled to share my perspective.
Mr. Trita Parsi is the founder of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) [2], an organization that has long been criticized for acting as a propaganda arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran (hereafter referred to as the regime) [3] and has faced condemnation from human rights activists within Iran. Although he is currently presented as the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute, it is important to note that Mr. Parsi founded NIAC in 2002 [4], long before the Quincy Institute was established in 2019.
NIAC, while appearing to promote dialogue between the U.S. and Iran, has been consistently criticized for downplaying or whitewashing the atrocities committed by the regime. Despite their claims of neutrality, NIAC's actions and statements often align with the regime’s interests. For example, a detailed tweet thread [5] exposes personal communications between Mr. Parsi and Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s former Foreign Minister, further suggesting Parsi’s close ties to the regime.
The fact that NIAC has been effectively advocating for the regime has been known since at least 2007, when allegations were made that NIAC was advocating on behalf of the regime. In response, Parsi sued for defamation, which led to the release of several internal documents. These documents raised significant concerns, which former Washington Times correspondent Eli Lake [6] stated "raise questions" about whether the organization had violated U.S. lobbying regulations. Ultimately, NIAC lost the defamation lawsuit and was ordered to pay more than $180,000. At one point, the judge's verdict [7] stated, "That Parsi occasionally made statements reflecting a balanced, shared blame approach is not inconsistent with the idea that he was first and foremost an advocate for the regime."
Furthermore, several U.S. Senators have called for an investigation into the group's potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act [8].
Here are a few key articles that highlight Mr. Parsi's troubling connections to the regime:
Trita Parsi, Lobbyist for Iran? (2009) [9]
How Trita Parsi and NIAC Used the White House to Advance Iran's Agenda [10]
The Shady Family Behind America's Iran Lobby [11]
Trita Parsi talks about how the U.S. can't help Iranians in their search for freedom (refers to 2009 protests) and how anything the U.S. does could damage the movement [12]. Compare this to the historical context and, in particular, to Obama's regrets over not helping more at the time [13].
Moreover, recent revelations regarding Mr. Parsi's brother, Rouzbeh Parsi, who was exposed in Sweden for secretly working for the regime, raise additional concerns about Mr. Parsi’s connections and potential influence [14].
As a distinguished organization, GIGA has a responsibility to use its platform to promote truth and accuracy, not to propagate misleading narratives.
To:
eckart.woertz@giga-hamburg.de,bert.hoffmann@giga-hamburg.de,miriam.prys@giga-hamburg.de,verena.schweiger@giga-hamburg.de
Subject: Request to Remove Trita Parsi from GIGA Berlin Middle East Conference Panel
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding Trita Parsi's invitation to the upcoming GIGA Berlin Middle East Conference [1]. As an organization dedicated to fostering informed and meaningful discussions about the Middle East, it is essential that GIGA selects speakers who genuinely represent the voices of the people in the region—especially when it comes to Iran. I understand this matter has likely prompted multiple emails, but as an Iranian, I feel compelled to share my perspective.
Mr. Trita Parsi is the founder of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) [2], an organization that has long been criticized for acting as a propaganda arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran (hereafter referred to as the regime) [3] and has faced condemnation from human rights activists within Iran. Although he is currently presented as the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute, it is important to note that Mr. Parsi founded NIAC in 2002 [4], long before the Quincy Institute was established in 2019.
NIAC, while appearing to promote dialogue between the U.S. and Iran, has been consistently criticized for downplaying or whitewashing the atrocities committed by the regime. Despite their claims of neutrality, NIAC's actions and statements often align with the regime’s interests. For example, a detailed tweet thread [5] exposes personal communications between Mr. Parsi and Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s former Foreign Minister, further suggesting Parsi’s close ties to the regime.
The fact that NIAC has been effectively advocating for the regime has been known since at least 2007, when allegations were made that NIAC was advocating on behalf of the regime. In response, Parsi sued for defamation, which led to the release of several internal documents. These documents raised significant concerns, which former Washington Times correspondent Eli Lake [6] stated "raise questions" about whether the organization had violated U.S. lobbying regulations. Ultimately, NIAC lost the defamation lawsuit and was ordered to pay more than $180,000. At one point, the judge's verdict [7] stated, "That Parsi occasionally made statements reflecting a balanced, shared blame approach is not inconsistent with the idea that he was first and foremost an advocate for the regime."
Furthermore, several U.S. Senators have called for an investigation into the group's potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act [8].
Here are a few key articles that highlight Mr. Parsi's troubling connections to the regime:
Trita Parsi, Lobbyist for Iran? (2009) [9]
How Trita Parsi and NIAC Used the White House to Advance Iran's Agenda [10]
The Shady Family Behind America's Iran Lobby [11]
Trita Parsi talks about how the U.S. can't help Iranians in their search for freedom (refers to 2009 protests) and how anything the U.S. does could damage the movement [12]. Compare this to the historical context and, in particular, to Obama's regrets over not helping more at the time [13].
Moreover, recent revelations regarding Mr. Parsi's brother, Rouzbeh Parsi, who was exposed in Sweden for secretly working for the regime, raise additional concerns about Mr. Parsi’s connections and potential influence [14].
As a distinguished organization, GIGA has a responsibility to use its platform to promote truth and accuracy, not to propagate misleading narratives.