Former Irish President Criticises Western Double Standards for Not Condemning Attacks on Iran

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BRUSSELS – Former Irish President Mary Robinson has called for the enforcement of international law without “double standards”, particularly by European countries. She compared the harsh criticism of Russia over the Ukraine war with the weaker response to attacks by the United States (US) and Israel on Iran.

Speaking to Sky News on Friday (20/3/2026), Robinson stressed the importance of global accountability in addressing the US-Israel attacks on Iran. She said that countries must speak out against violations regardless of who commits them.

“It is very important for other countries to speak out, because we need to support the supremacy of international law. This is one of humanity’s greatest achievements, and we need to preserve it, and therefore we do not want to have double standards,” she said.

Robinson pointed to the strong international response following the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine. She compared it to what she described as a weaker reaction to recent actions by the US and Israel targeting Iran.

“We are seeing aggression now by the United States and Israel against Iran, which is not justified in the UN Charter, which is illegal, and very few countries are explicitly talking about it. They are trying to avoid it,” said Robinson.

Highlighting diplomatic efforts, she noted that the Foreign Minister of Oman has spoken “very clearly” about ongoing negotiations, including what he described as a “new and substantive” proposal from Iran. Just as the mediation process was underway, Iran was suddenly attacked.

“Instead of continuing that, suddenly there was an unjustified military attack under international law, and governments must be prepared to speak out about it,” said Robinson.