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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2012
Contact: Nathan Carleton, press@uani.com
Phone: (212) 554-3296
UANI Calls on South Korean Electronics Firm LG to Cease Surveillance Business in Iran
LG's sale of security products to regime-controlled entities is particularly concerning given the regime's history of misusing security and surveillance technology to monitor, track, apprehend, torture, and kill regime opponents.
In a letter sent August 6, 2012 to Bon-Joon Koo, CEO of LG, UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, wrote:
... [I]n 2007, LG reportedly partnered with an Iranian company to produce one million phones per year. LG has also partnered with Iran's Maadiran Group to produce five models of telephone handsets under license from LG Electronics.
Of particular concern to UANI is LG's sale of surveillance equipment in Iran. UANI is concerned that such advanced equipment can be used by the regime for surveillance and internal security purposes against the Iranian people. For example, LG surveillance equipment, including the LT903N(P) Speed Dome Camera, is clearly advertised for sale on the website of IRANCCTV. IRANCCTV is a regime entity that operates under the auspices of Iran's Ministry of Culture, which has been described by Reporters Without Borders as "a censorship agency" and "all-out mechanism of control and repression" that violently interrogates journalists and activists in Iran. Additionally, UANI is concerned by LG's partnership with Fariran, an Iranian security firm. According to its website, Fariran has over fifty retailers in Iran, "and was founded with the purpose of importing, distributing and installing LG CCTV security systems in Iran."
LG's extensive business and provision of security products to the foregoing entities is unacceptable in light of the Iranian regime's history of misusing security and surveillance technology to facilitate its brutal and oppressive practices against the Iranian people and safeguard its illicit nuclear program.
LG should also be aware of legislation that could directly impact LG's ability to continue to procure U.S. government contracts. As you know, LG has become a leader in the U.S. electronics market and since 2000, has had at least 119 contracts with the U.S. government, totaling $9,190,190 dollars. The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010 ("CISADA") and the soon to be enacted Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, require the U.S. to ban the "procurement of goods or services with a person that exports sensitive technology" to Iran. This language on its face precludes U.S. government contracting with any company like LG that enables the regime's monitoring of Iranian citizens.
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Put bluntly, LG's provision of technology and equipment to Iran is facilitating the regime's campaign of oppression against its own citizens and as a U.S. federal contractor, LG is profiting from the U.S. government while at the same time undermining the strategic interest of the U.S. vis-à-vis Iran. LG's ongoing activities with Iranian regime entities are exposing LG, its stakeholders and partners to increasing reputational risk.
UANI has requested a response from LG by August 13, 2012.
Click here to read UANI's full letter to LG.
Click here to send a message to LG. Click here to learn more about UANI's Tech & Telecom campaign.
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United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran should concern every American and be unacceptable to the community of nations. Since 1979 the Iranian regime, most recently under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's leadership, has demonstrated increasingly threatening behavior and rhetoric toward the US and the West. Iran continues to defy the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations in their attempts to monitor its nuclear activities. A number of Arab states have warned that Iran's development of nuclear weapons poses a threat to Middle East stability and could provoke a regional nuclear arms race. In short, the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran is a danger to world peace.
United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a non-partisan, broad-based coalition that is united in a commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons. UANI is an issue-based coalition in which each coalition member will have its own interests as well as the collective goal of advancing an Iran free of nuclear weapons.
The Objectives of United Against a Nuclear Iran
- Inform the public about the nature of the Iranian regime, including its desire and intent to possess nuclear weapons, as well as Iran's role as a state sponsor of global terrorism, and a major violator of human rights at home and abroad;
- Heighten awareness nationally and internationally about the danger that a nuclear armed Iran poses to the region and the world;
- Mobilize public support, utilize media outreach, and persuade our elected leaders to voice a robust and united American opposition to a nuclear Iran;
- Lay the groundwork for effective US policies in coordination with European and other allies;
- Persuade the regime in Tehran to desist from its quest for nuclear weapons, while striving not to punish the Iranian people, and;
- Promote efforts that focus on vigorous national and international, social, economic, political and diplomatic measures.
UANI is led by an advisory board of outstanding national figures representing all sectors of our country. |
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