Dr. Sheila Nazarian Discusses Iran’s Human Rights Crisis

Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a plastic surgeon who fled Iran as a child, has raised alarms about the worsening human rights situation in Iran. She noted that four more protesters, including a woman, might be sentenced to death soon. Over the past three months, more than 650 executions have reportedly taken place. Nazarian criticized American politicians for their apparent indifference and urged that this issue deserves attention based on its humanitarian implications.

During an appearance on “America’s Newsroom,” Nazarian criticized celebrities like actress Elizabeth Banks for seemingly ignoring human rights abuses in Iran, particularly against women. She expressed frustration, pointing out Banks’s comfort while discussing serious issues, stating, “You claim to be a feminist. You claim to be a humanitarian. Where are you when women need you?”

This exchange followed Banks’s comments regarding the 53% of white women who voted for Donald Trump instead of Kamala Harris, which she found baffling. Nazarian brought the conversation back to Iran, expressing disbelief that many voices on social media fail to address or even acknowledge the severity of human rights violations happening there.

Nazarian emphasized that this is not just a political issue but a urgent humanitarian crisis, highlighting the plight of women facing brutal treatment. She described how the regime’s practices involve horrific acts against female prisoners condemned to death. “They believe that if a woman is killed and she is a virgin, she will go to heaven,” she explained, revealing the depths of the cruelty inflicted upon these women.

Sharing a bit of her personal story, she recounted her family’s flight from Iran, illustrating the dangers they faced. “We had to escape with gunfire nearby,” she said. Her reflections serve as a reminder that millions in Iran once experienced freedom, only to see it stripped away over the years.

Nazarian also mentioned the ongoing internet blackouts in Iran, suggesting that the regime uses fear to control the populace. “They would rather endure this than risk the regime’s wrath,” she pointed out, reminding the audience that these concerns transcend mere geopolitical matters. For Nazarian, the events unfolding in Iran should be primarily recognized through the lens of human rights. “This is a humanitarian issue at its core,” she emphasized.