Iranian jail sullies the charm and beauty of its people

This week’s Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column

Michael Commane

Bernard Phelan is an Irish man, born in Dublin, has Irish and French citizenship and is married to a French man.

His book ‘You will die in Prison - My time as a state hostage in Iran’ was launched by Tánaiste, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin in Dubray Books on Dublin’s Grafton Street on Thursday, October 3.

Some days earlier Bernard appeared on RTÉ’s Oliver Callan Show, where he spoke about his 222 days in an Iranian jail.

I was quickly drawn into his story. I have been to Iran and the Irish Dominicans have a priory in the capital city, Tehran. The house was founded in 1962 and there has always been a respectful relationship between the Dominicans and state authorities. At a local level the Dominicans cherished their contact with the people they encountered.

Bernard spoke about his horrific time in prison. He saw people shackled and a father handcuffed to his child.

He referred to his accommodation in his prison in Mashad as ‘Satan's Block’,which he shared with political prisoners, drug traffickers and condemned inmates awaiting execution. He stressed the importance of the need for a good sense of humour in prison.

While he had harsh words to say about life in prison he spoke in glowing terms of the Iranian people. And I was immediately able to identify with that. During my short stay in Iran I visited a number of cities, including the capital, Shiraz and Isfahan, everywhere the people could not have been more friendly and helpful. 

On one occasion I asked a policeman for directions to the railway station, he hailed a car and I was brought straight there. Every step I took I was aware that I was walking over centuries of sophisticated culture and learning.

That dichotomy between governments and people is always an extremely interesting if not complicated and subtle topic.

Micheál Martin referred to Bernard’s case as ‘complex’ and that it required great skill to get his release, which involved the help of other EU states, including of course France. He spoke about Bernard’s arbitrary arrest. His words were carefully chosen and couched in diplomatic language.

And just as Bernard in his book is critical of the Iranian authorities, he writes and speaks with passion about the kindness and charm of the Iranian people.

That is always something that intrigues me. I have met people from countries all over the world. I’ve met Israelis, Palestinians, Russians, Ukrainians, Chinese, Taiwanese, people of all different types and styles. 

Is it a silly question to ask, what is it about human nature that we are on occasions hardwired to see another people, another nation as our enemy and then head out and kill and maim them?  Why do we keep doing it?