Montazeri: Government Neither Islamic Nor Republic

Grand Ayatollah Montazeri has put out a strong statement against the current regime and arguing that human rights is an important part of Islam:

"With greetings and blessings; In response to the letter of 88/6/1 and with gratitude and appreciation for the heroism and resilience of the dear people of Iran , I say that I have proposed ways of easing the crisis. It appears, however, that their Excellencies have isolated themselves and shut their eyes and ears for their own worldly aims. But while resistance still lives in the hearts of many and some still endure torture and prison, I am not hopeless. I still hope that more than this faction of the system that has languished and endured will survive and that before it is too late, the Islamic Republic can be salvaged.

Islam is the pure religion of the divine and according to it, freedom of thought and speech are undeniable. Of the nature of acceptance of religion, the Koran states: religion is not accepted through force. Religion must be accepted through logic and reason. According to the tradition of the Prophet of Islam and his progeny (his infallible successors) that with full freedom and the absence of any fear, the people must have the right to criticize and protest. The greatest injustice to Islam is the oppression of the people under the banner of an Islamic government.

I hope that the leaders who have strayed from the right path return and that they return the people’s stolen rights. I hope that they compensate the damages, that they free the innocent, and that they not embarrass the Islamic court any more with this propaganda trial. Or at least, I hope they have the bravery to announce that this government is not a Republic and is not Islamic and that no one has the right to protest or criticize."