The ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran is one of the most significant geopolitical issues in the Middle East. The two countries have been engaged in a long-standing rivalry that has had far-reaching implications for the region and beyond. Recently, there have been reports of a potential Saudi-Iran deal, backed by China, which has raised concerns among human rights advocates and experts. In this article, the Washington Center for Human Rights will discuss why a Saudi-Iran deal backed by China is not a good option.
First and foremost, a Saudi-Iran deal that is backed by China would likely be based on economic and strategic interests, rather than a commitment to human rights and democracy. China’s foreign policy in the Middle East has traditionally been driven by its need for resources and access to markets. As such, China is more likely to support a deal that benefits its economic and strategic interests, rather than one that prioritizes the human rights of the people in the region.
Secondly, the human rights records of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China are deeply concerning. All three countries have been criticized for their lack of respect for human rights and democracy, and a deal that is supported by these countries is unlikely to prioritize human rights concerns. In Saudi Arabia, there are ongoing concerns about the treatment of women, minorities, and political dissidents. Similarly, Iran has been criticized for its lack of political freedoms, treatment of minorities, and support for terrorism. China has also been criticized for its treatment of ethnic minorities, lack of political freedoms, and censorship of the media and the internet.
Furthermore, a Saudi-Iran deal backed by China is unlikely to address the root causes of the conflict between the two countries. The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran has deep historical and ideological roots, and any deal that does not address these underlying issues is unlikely to be sustainable in the long run. A deal that is based on economic and strategic interests is likely to be temporary and may only serve to exacerbate the underlying issues that led to the conflict in the first place.
In addition, a Saudi-Iran deal backed by China is likely to have negative implications for the wider Middle East. Both Saudi Arabia and Iran have been involved in regional conflicts, and any deal that strengthens one country’s position over the other is likely to have far-reaching implications for the region. Furthermore, China’s growing presence in the Middle East has raised concerns about its influence on regional dynamics and its impact on human rights and democracy.
Finally, a Saudi-Iran deal backed by China is unlikely to be welcomed by the international community, particularly by countries that prioritize human rights and democracy. The United States, for example, has traditionally been a strong ally of Saudi Arabia, but it has also been critical of its human rights record. Similarly, Iran has been subject to international sanctions due to its nuclear program and its support for terrorism. Any deal that is seen as undermining human rights and democracy is unlikely to be accepted by the international community.
In conclusion, a Saudi-Iran deal backed by China is not a good option for the region or for the international community. Such a deal is likely to be based on economic and strategic interests rather than a commitment to human rights and democracy, and it is unlikely to address the root causes of the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Furthermore, the human rights records of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China are deeply concerning, and any deal that is supported by these countries is unlikely to prioritize human rights concerns. The international community should prioritize human rights and democracy in any negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and should not support any deal that undermines these values.