Robert Rohde wrote:
Looking at the summary and comments, I am struck by
the fact that
Mardetanha [1] is getting a significant number of oppose votes from
people who believe it is fundamentally unsafe for a Steward to live in
Iran. Including comments that the Iranian government might arrest and
torture him for his access, or that he might otherwise feel compelled
to co-operate with them.
Similar concerns were also voiced about a Chinese candidate, but that
candidate already has significant opposition for other reasons, and so
the political comments do not seem to be a major factor.
[1]
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Stewards/elections_2009/statements/Mardetanha
-Robert Rohde
I dislike this argument very much. People cannot choose that they are
born in Iran or in China, or in the USA or Europe. Use such a trait that
cannot be influence by a person against him is a kind of discrimination.
So long as the person doesn't handle against the rule there is no reason
to assume that he would do that. Keep a good faith is one of the
principles of how Wikimedians should meet each other.
Ting