The IIEA is right to engage with governments with whom most western countries would strongly disagree. However, foreign security guards whatever their origin and status should only operate on Irish soil with the authority of the Irish state. They have the right to protect their minister from physical attack but not from hostile questions. IIEA has a duty to make its "rules of engagement" clear to all sides, speakers and listeners alike BEFORE any event.

The Guardian Sat 3rd July page 18. A woman Sakineh Ashtiani already given 99 lashes for conducting "an illicit relationship outside marriage", awaits her execution by stoning. She will, if it happens, be tied, buried in the earth up to her neck and then have large stones cast at her head until her brains are splattered around the ground, enduring the fundamentalist Justice of the the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran executed 388 people last year more than any other country in the world apart from China. According to the article in the Guardian there are 12 other women known to be awaiting death by stoning though it is thought that there may be up to 50. These include a young woman who was arrested for her offence when she was 15 years of age. Did the women involved in the IIEA, in the very significant minority though they are, think little of the invitation to Mottaki or did they like the men of the IIEA, swoon, intoxicated by the prestige and honour that they thought might rub off ?

Worth watching the Q&A at the end. Mottaki’s answers to direct questions on Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme, its relations with Israel, Ahmenidijad’s denial of the Holocaust, Iran’s human rights and women’s rights records are very telling. The actions of the security guards were disgraceful (and an issue for the Gardai) but this type of robust dialogue with the powerful represents what is best about the IIEA and similar organisations. I applaud the protestors but even more I applaud the audience members who listened to Mottaki and then marshalled the facts and asked him hard questions that he had to answer on the record. Give 'em enough rope...

The poor man, an Irish citizen, is being beaten by a bunch of criminals and he cries out for the guards. The Guards are present in plain clothes, but their only interest is to protect “his Excellency”! What a great show of true democracy. Well done IIEA.

If you look at this video carefully, it is quite clear that there are some guadrs in plain cloths present in the room, e.g., the one who approaches Mottaki each time the heckling starts. However, they do not interfere at all.

Further to what I said before: It seems to me that the IIEA had a duty of care to those guys who were attacked by the Iranian Security police during the meeting. I also assume that those men who were attacked under the eyes of IIEA officials and with their obvious aquiescence would have clear evidence to proceed with assualt charges against the perpertrators, it was all filmed. As far as I know heckling is not yet a good reason for one to be subjected to violent attack. It would seem that that the precints of the IIEA are safe for free speech but only for those who are powerful or rich and can use illegitimate force to silence just crtiticism. Perhaps the IIEA would make its position clear. Why did no officials of the IIEA intervene to assist those men and prevent criminal activity in their building. Was it perhaps because they knew that they would get a bit of a beating too. I think they would have done. But that is the position of cowardice and in this context it subverts the notion of freedom if not actively assisting its subversion. What the President of Ireland is doing being the Patron of such an outfit is nearly beyond my comprehension.

@Daniel So if people are welcomed here in Dublin and everyone is granted with the freedom of speech, Why were the refugee attendees treated in such way by the Iranian security guards. Did the IIEA not have the responsibility and accountability to control the situation? That is a new scheme to introduce freedom of speech. Bringing guests and giving them the right to beat up those who have been residing in your own country for half a dozen years , some which have been granted Irish citizenships. I look forward to your reply.

Daniel, Mr Mottaki does not need to come to Dublin to exercise his freedom of speech, though those people protesting against the facist regime in Iran did have to come here. Why was the guy who asked about the killings of political oponents of the regime silenced and why did not Mr Mottaki use his freedom to explain and justify that regimes policy of murdering opponoents. Presumably you and the Institute would have welcomed Herr Himmler and had protests arisen presumably they would have been dealt with in the same violent way, Why did no one from the Institute intervene to protect those men being brutalised in the centre of our capital. Do questions of etiquette and manners towards antidemocrats trounce the rights of citizens or refugees to free expression. The BBC report did little to commend Ireland to its more liberal European neighbours and I for one felt ashamed. Shame on the Institute for dressing up this nasty invitation as part of a real search for international understanding. Still with Irelands neutral history in respect to Nazism they have a precedent to be proud of. Shame shame shame.

IIEA shame on you!

Why did the Irish police allow the Iranian bodyguards to assault these protesters? Do Europeans really have so little self respect anymore that you'll not only invite a murderous thug to come speak at a think tank but you'll allow his muscle to beat up your citizens right in front of your face without stopping them? People say Europe is dying, and I think it deserves to.