Friday, April 30, 2010
Mousavi Statement For May Day
Greetings to all workers and teachers of the country I congratulate the Workers’ Day and the Teachers’ Day to all you dears. We are on the eve of these two very important days. The hard works and activities of workers and teachers are among the most important factors of our national authority. They are the producers of wealth and the producers of science, virtue and morality in our country and without their hard work achieving fundamental values is not possible in a system and after the formation of governments and nations the role of these two classes has become very important in the countries and therefore paying attention to their fate, tendencies, problems and issues is very important and that is why all countries try to pay special attention to these two classes.
The International Workers’ Day that is being celebrated all around the world and in our country is a sign of the attention to the work forces and their importance. From the early days of the revolution it was a tradition to pay attention to this day and also the Teachers’ Day that its importance is as much as the Worker’s Day. Here in this short message I would like to share with you the issues that are common between these two classes and all the people. The truth is that we are getting close to these two important days in a situation that the country is in crisis and is having vast economical, political and social problems and each one of these problems has reflected in the fate and everyday lives of these two classes and has many effects. The domestic market of the country has been handed out to the foreigners We are witnessing the economical situation of the country. Inflation, the decrease in the rate of investments, corruption, the spread of lies and incompetence, the unpaid wages of the workers and their growing unemployment, the everyday shutdown of the factories or their operations in low capacities while our national markets have been filled with foreign goods and in reality we have handed out our entire domestic markets with respect to goods, services and investment to foreigners and we all aware how much this issue affects the fate of our nation, our independence, our freedom and in the fate of our workers.
The issues and the problems of workers and teachers is tied to the majority of the issues and problems of the country On the other hand we have the restriction on the freedoms. We have the silencing of the people, shutting down the newspapers and filling the prisons as well as the limitations imposed on unions and political organisation and all these affect the fate of the workers and teachers. This is why it is very important that the workers and teachers realise (although I know they already do) that the problems and hardships they experience and feel in their everyday lives is related to the major issues and problems of the country and this is a direct relationship. The demands of workers and teachers are the fundamental and main demands of the nation The demand of a worker or a teacher if is said at the moment and is the natural demand of these two classes, we should pay attention that are the very fundamental and basic demands for the whole country. What does a worker or a teacher want? They want the country to develop. The development of the country is for their benefit. The lack of development of the country is harmful for the entire nation and the most would be harmful for the working class either in the industry of in service sectors; either in villages or anywhere else and also would be harmful for the teachers.
They (workers and teachers) want freedom, because freedom would make it possible for them to form unions and political groups and be active politically and find ways to solve their own problems and the problems of the nation. They are seeking justice, either in economy and everyday life or in assigning social dignity, this would make it possible for them to serve better and produce more wealth, they can defend country’s economy better and with their activities in industry and market defend the independence of the country, and in with their honoured dignity they will achieve a position that they can support the innovative and progressive ideas in country. The dignity of teachers has been degraded in the eyes of the politicians but it has not been degraded in the eye of the nation
The revolution has stated with this idea. We should remember that most of the members of the parliament in the first term [after the revolution] were teachers. Martyrs Rajaii, Bahonar, Motahari were teachers. We know Shariyati as a teacher and he is a teacher.Being teacher was such that would make nation trust that person. I should add that if this dignity has been degraded in the eye of politicians but it has not in eye of the nation. When we say that we return to the reference groups we see that workers and teachers are still on the high levels of reference groups and are still trusted by the nation; but some events happened in the country that this statue is not honoured as it was on the early days of the revolution. This honoured statue made it possible for the teachers to create a bright and deep atmosphere among the nation and train a proud generation; and they themselves and many workers defended the country on the front lines [during the Iran-Iran war].
But on the contrary we see today that some of the teachers and workers are in prison and it is really bitter to talks about this issue on the eve of these two days. It is for the benefit of workers and teachers that we have a balanced foreign policy It is natural that if we pay attention with respect to freedom, justice, prosperity and development of the country or other aspects for instance these two classes are strongly against corruption. They know that it is harmful for them and their interests and is harmful for the national interest and national security of the country when the topic of huge oil revenues is brought up while the promises of bringing hundreds of millions of dollars that were supposed to be brought to their kitchen tables never happened and while instead they learn about the news of corruptions, incompetence and mismanagement in the economy of the country.
Naturally, consciously and presently, it is for the benefit of teachers and workers that we have a balanced foreign policy. We should not create so much drama. We should not go on without a specific agenda. We should not endanger our national interests with creating so many ups and downs. The reckless actions will have their effect on people’s quality of life The security of the country is not going to be preserved with guns and military forces These unwise actions immediately show its impact on people’s kitchen tables. The greatness of a country is in the hope and encouragement of that nation about their future; the view and hope that they have for their future. The security of a country cannot be preserved with only guns and armed forces. During the holy defence ear (Iran-Iraq war) we did not have [organised] army or Revolutionary Guards. They were created gradually. In fact the army was dissolved at the beginning of the revolution and was organised again; the Basij and Revolutionary Guards were also formed later. The reason of our resistance during that 8-year war that we did not give in even one centimetre of our land to the enemy for sure was not our many weapons!
Our enemy had more weapons and support and had all the help from the world but our nation including these classes of workers and teachers could resist. This was due to the people’s hope about the future of the system. But when this trust is damaged, when cases of corruption are brought up and are not followed up and even would be raised in the parliament and yet nothing happens and suddenly the cases are closed and then from here and there news would be heard, it is natural that we would lose the hope and belief in the system. The issues of workers and teachers are not separate Dear workers and teachers know that your issues are the issues of our entire nation and are not separate. If you have problems in forming independent unions and every action you take is answered with limitations and arrests and you are facing problems in your activities; when you go to the classroom with fear and concern because you don’t know if you can tell the right word and defend justice in front of your students, defend justice with your heads holding high and with pride; and testify to the brightness of the white and darkness of the black and don’t give up; and when you face fear and insecurity in these issue, it is natural that these concerns are national concerns and are the concerns of all of us! The path that the Green Movement is taking with this regards is base on this fact that the solution to our problems depends on a series of activities.
It is not that we solve this problem once with promises and once with charity, once with increasing or decreasing salaries, or for example when it gets close to elections we become active and jump from one branch to another. These will not resolve the problems of our teachers, workers, employers and entrepreneurs! We have no other way than returning to the constitution I believe that the only way is to return to the constitution. There is no other way for us other than returning to fulfill all of the constitution. This is the least costly way. This is the way to solve our problems in a national level; to solve the problems of our Islamic market so that they are not filled with low quality foreign-made goods. We can defend our national industries so that we can protect the rights of our workers to prevent them from losing their jobs and unpaid wages every day. So that we don’t get buried in the foreign markets and that our staffs don’t go wasted. By returning to the constitution we can prevent corruption and by reinstating people’s rights we can solve the problems.
Except free, not pre-selected, competitive elections, freedom of press and freeing political prisoners and groups, there is no other way in front of us; and moving towards the constitution is in the benefit of the whole nation, in the benefit of all who are devoted to their people and seek prosperity of their nation. We promised people to execute the constitution. The rights of people are the most forgotten parts of the constitution This is our national covenant and the accord between the people and the government and any lessening of this covenant is a betrayal of people’s trust. People and the government signed that the government would execute the constitution without change. If we consider parts of it inefficient we should reform it. The constitution is not carved in stone but [even for that] we should act according to the constitution and we should honour the rights of people which are the most forgotten parts of the constitution so that problems get resolved one after the other and that way, God willing, the statures of teachers and workers in a way that is suitable of our country and society will be reinstated. May you succeed and may both these days be happy for the entire nation.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Mousavi and Karroubi Call for Protests on Anniversary of Election
Here is what they said according to Mousavi's Facebook:
Mir Hossein Mousavi visited Mehdi Karroubi for the new Persian year. In this joint meeting that was held yesterday (April 26th) Mousavi and Karroubi discussed the important events and situation of the country.
According to SahamNews (the official website of Etemad Melli party) Mehdi Karroubi while welcoming Mir Hossein Mousavi hoped that the new Persian year would be the year freedom and prosperity for the people of Iran and prayed to God that all political prisoners would be freed soon.
Mir Hossein Mousavi by criticising the current policies of the government said: “At the moment with respect to the fundamental structures they don’t have any clear and accurate agenda and should think about long term plans. The situation of the government has come to the point that they think everyone is a conspirator and has developed illusions about conspiracy.”
Mir Hossein Mousavi while condemning the totalitarians said: “They do not comprehend the essence of our words. In our statements and speeches all they are after are the words and not their meanings. Unfortunately an ideological system has this problem. They tell the illusion and hoax that they made up such they themselves believe them and what they have fabricated influence them such that they don’t hear the truth.”
Mir Hossein Mousavi while strongly criticising the domestic and foreign policies as well as the poor economy and corruption said: “We believe that our people have collective memory. The government thinks that people forget its action, its word and its behaviour, but this is not the case.”
Mir Hossein Mousavi by pointing to financial corruption case of Ahmadinejad’s deputy that was raised by some members of the parliament but by an informal message from the supreme leader was aborted or the attack on the dormitory of the Tehran University by Basij and plain clothes militia which in the video footage that was released recently the brutality of the attack was shown added: “For instance regarding the financial corruption case that was raised a few weeks ago what has happened?! They arrested some low ranks and as soon as the name of one individual (Ahmadinejad’s deputy) was raised all of the sudden everything went silent; or the case of the attack on the Tehran University dormitory and the video that was released. Unfortunately they think that people will forget as time goes by.”
Mousavi added: “These actions are against Islam. Every day they accuse a group of people of being infidels, traitors and etc. only because they have talked a word against the views and opinions of these guys. Honestly I really don’t know how they are going to answer to God. The crucial situation of the workers, their layoffs and suspending their salaries, the decrease in the rate of investment in the country and many more cases are all due to the incompetence in economic system and management of the country. People don’t forget the promises and these events.”
Mousavi added: “All the senior and experienced experts have been isolated from the organisations only because of partisan and political reasons! I don’t see a bright future in improving the economical situation of the country, because the foundations have been damaged; the tolls have been removed; warning organisations have been eliminated and there don’t consider any place for experts in the society any more. Even if now one of the conservatives would say something [that is opposed to their views] they will call that person a traitor as well!”
Mehdi Karroubi also while confirming Mir Hossein Mousavi’s remarks said: “Unfortunately what they are doing to the people is being done in the name of Islam and these actions is hurting Islam. At the moment the situation of the country is very horrifying such that they say whatever they want; they insult and falsely accuse anyone of whatever they want; they publish whatever statistics they want and all these are because they think the voice of their opposition is not reaching anywhere. But they don’t know that it is the people who are listening and are seeing the political and economical situation and what a dark future is awaiting them.”
Karroubi added: “What is the reason for all these unemployment? What is the reason for the poor job market and workers situation? These guys either don’t know or don’t want to know that a single [impractical] word that they mention in international platforms can be very damaging to the people and the economy of the country. Because of the sanctions they had to make deals with Chinese, Malaysian and Venezuelan companies and then gave all the contracts to armed forces!”
Mehdi Karroubi in condemning the double standard used by government in the recent events and regarding the Kahrizak prison crimes where post-election protestors were detained, tortured and some even killed said: “When I went public about the events of Kahrizak prison and the crimes that happened there and followed up on them, they made thousands of threats and falsely accused me of many lies to discredit my documented claims. They did not avoid any actions in order to put pressure on me. At the end despite all their propaganda, they prepared a report of the crimes that had happened in Kahrizak prison. They sentence three misfortunate individuals whom two of them are low ranking police officers and one according to them is an outlaw and closed the case! They did not even pay any attention the report of the parliament!”
Karroubi by pointing out Ahmadinejad’s recent trip to Zimbabwe and referring to the statement by Zimbabwe’s MDC party in which they resembled Ahmadinejad’s trip to Zimbabwe for an investment forum to inviting a mosquito to cure malaria, said: “So is our dignity preserved now? When you say that your trips are great, is this one of them? Trips to Zimbabwe and a few other countries at the same level are great? Is it dignity when they resemble you to and call you “Malaria mosquito” or “Butcher of the opposing”? Certainly like Columbia University when you were insulted so much and then called it the great victory! What are these guys thinking? Do they think at all?! ... They say one thing and follow one policy today and they change it the day after! Are they obligated to demote the country so much?!"
By considering the remarks and conspiracies of the government’s media as worn out tactics, Mehdi Karroubi added: “They tell us to repent. Of course repenting [from God] is good but don’t all these murders, lies, tortures, violating people’s rights and wasting public resources [committed by the government] require repentance? Those should repent who have committed such unjust actions again the rights of Iranian people. One day they say that the population of the country must increase, the next day they say that the population of Tehran is too much and 5 million people must be evacuated from Tehran, the next day they say that earthquake is coming (referring to Ahmadinejad’s remark that he said that birth control is conspiracy of the west to keep the population of Iran low and that the population needs to double up as soon as possible and his other remark that the population of Tehran is too much and 5 million must be evacuated because he predicts an earthquake in Tehran). Also about that earthquake, they say that people should repent so that the earthquake does not happen (referring to the remarks made by one of the hardliner clerics who said earthquakes happens because women do not completely cover up themselves and that they cause earthquake and therefore people should repent for this sin)! Then when the earthquake does not happen they say that our prayers worked! Are people a joke to your immature and thoughtless ideas and actions? Aren’t all these unemployment and economic problems that have spread throughout the country like plague enough?”
Regarding the violation of human rights and the horrible situation of the prisons, Mehdi Karoubi said: “How come the human rights organizations that were pressuring on Iran’s prisons [about the violations of human rights] during the Shah’s era were good but now the same organizations that are pursuing the situation of political prisoners and their families and the horrible situation of the prisons, are guilty, criminal and wicked? Didn’t you become full of joy over the reports of some of the very same media that now you call them agents of CIA about the conditions of Iran’s prisons [during the Shah’s era]?"
By expressing his worries about the situation of overseeing organizations, Mir Hossein Mousavi said: “All country’s overseeing organizations are either sleep or dissolved…Of course there are some projects being done in the country that they arrest some people and then release them after a while and ask them to say things that they ask and if their goals are not met then they are sent back to the prison… Currently, our people’s awareness about the political and social problems has evolved from an embryo and people are more aware; and this awareness is fast expanding every day. Our people’s understanding has become deeper but since the actions of the government are in the name of Islam, still there are harms being done to Islam.”
On the same subject, Mehdi Karroubi stated: “Can a member of parliament who must be representative of constituency, with peace of mind and without fear of terror and getting harm, respond to the needs of people who elected him? How would the future generations judge us and what would they write in their books [about us]?”
At the end of this meeting Mir Hossin Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi invited the people to participate in the demonstrations on the first year anniversary of the rigged presidential election on June 12th based on the article 27 of the constitution that guarantees freedom of assembly, provided arms would not be carried and the assemblies would not be harmful to the fundamental principles of Islam. They also invited all reformist parties and groups to apply for permission through the Interior Ministry.
Mir Hossein Mousavi visited Mehdi Karroubi for the new Persian year. In this joint meeting that was held yesterday (April 26th) Mousavi and Karroubi discussed the important events and situation of the country.
According to SahamNews (the official website of Etemad Melli party) Mehdi Karroubi while welcoming Mir Hossein Mousavi hoped that the new Persian year would be the year freedom and prosperity for the people of Iran and prayed to God that all political prisoners would be freed soon.
Mir Hossein Mousavi by criticising the current policies of the government said: “At the moment with respect to the fundamental structures they don’t have any clear and accurate agenda and should think about long term plans. The situation of the government has come to the point that they think everyone is a conspirator and has developed illusions about conspiracy.”
Mir Hossein Mousavi while condemning the totalitarians said: “They do not comprehend the essence of our words. In our statements and speeches all they are after are the words and not their meanings. Unfortunately an ideological system has this problem. They tell the illusion and hoax that they made up such they themselves believe them and what they have fabricated influence them such that they don’t hear the truth.”
Mir Hossein Mousavi while strongly criticising the domestic and foreign policies as well as the poor economy and corruption said: “We believe that our people have collective memory. The government thinks that people forget its action, its word and its behaviour, but this is not the case.”
Mir Hossein Mousavi by pointing to financial corruption case of Ahmadinejad’s deputy that was raised by some members of the parliament but by an informal message from the supreme leader was aborted or the attack on the dormitory of the Tehran University by Basij and plain clothes militia which in the video footage that was released recently the brutality of the attack was shown added: “For instance regarding the financial corruption case that was raised a few weeks ago what has happened?! They arrested some low ranks and as soon as the name of one individual (Ahmadinejad’s deputy) was raised all of the sudden everything went silent; or the case of the attack on the Tehran University dormitory and the video that was released. Unfortunately they think that people will forget as time goes by.”
Mousavi added: “These actions are against Islam. Every day they accuse a group of people of being infidels, traitors and etc. only because they have talked a word against the views and opinions of these guys. Honestly I really don’t know how they are going to answer to God. The crucial situation of the workers, their layoffs and suspending their salaries, the decrease in the rate of investment in the country and many more cases are all due to the incompetence in economic system and management of the country. People don’t forget the promises and these events.”
Mousavi added: “All the senior and experienced experts have been isolated from the organisations only because of partisan and political reasons! I don’t see a bright future in improving the economical situation of the country, because the foundations have been damaged; the tolls have been removed; warning organisations have been eliminated and there don’t consider any place for experts in the society any more. Even if now one of the conservatives would say something [that is opposed to their views] they will call that person a traitor as well!”
Mehdi Karroubi also while confirming Mir Hossein Mousavi’s remarks said: “Unfortunately what they are doing to the people is being done in the name of Islam and these actions is hurting Islam. At the moment the situation of the country is very horrifying such that they say whatever they want; they insult and falsely accuse anyone of whatever they want; they publish whatever statistics they want and all these are because they think the voice of their opposition is not reaching anywhere. But they don’t know that it is the people who are listening and are seeing the political and economical situation and what a dark future is awaiting them.”
Karroubi added: “What is the reason for all these unemployment? What is the reason for the poor job market and workers situation? These guys either don’t know or don’t want to know that a single [impractical] word that they mention in international platforms can be very damaging to the people and the economy of the country. Because of the sanctions they had to make deals with Chinese, Malaysian and Venezuelan companies and then gave all the contracts to armed forces!”
Mehdi Karroubi in condemning the double standard used by government in the recent events and regarding the Kahrizak prison crimes where post-election protestors were detained, tortured and some even killed said: “When I went public about the events of Kahrizak prison and the crimes that happened there and followed up on them, they made thousands of threats and falsely accused me of many lies to discredit my documented claims. They did not avoid any actions in order to put pressure on me. At the end despite all their propaganda, they prepared a report of the crimes that had happened in Kahrizak prison. They sentence three misfortunate individuals whom two of them are low ranking police officers and one according to them is an outlaw and closed the case! They did not even pay any attention the report of the parliament!”
Karroubi by pointing out Ahmadinejad’s recent trip to Zimbabwe and referring to the statement by Zimbabwe’s MDC party in which they resembled Ahmadinejad’s trip to Zimbabwe for an investment forum to inviting a mosquito to cure malaria, said: “So is our dignity preserved now? When you say that your trips are great, is this one of them? Trips to Zimbabwe and a few other countries at the same level are great? Is it dignity when they resemble you to and call you “Malaria mosquito” or “Butcher of the opposing”? Certainly like Columbia University when you were insulted so much and then called it the great victory! What are these guys thinking? Do they think at all?! ... They say one thing and follow one policy today and they change it the day after! Are they obligated to demote the country so much?!"
By considering the remarks and conspiracies of the government’s media as worn out tactics, Mehdi Karroubi added: “They tell us to repent. Of course repenting [from God] is good but don’t all these murders, lies, tortures, violating people’s rights and wasting public resources [committed by the government] require repentance? Those should repent who have committed such unjust actions again the rights of Iranian people. One day they say that the population of the country must increase, the next day they say that the population of Tehran is too much and 5 million people must be evacuated from Tehran, the next day they say that earthquake is coming (referring to Ahmadinejad’s remark that he said that birth control is conspiracy of the west to keep the population of Iran low and that the population needs to double up as soon as possible and his other remark that the population of Tehran is too much and 5 million must be evacuated because he predicts an earthquake in Tehran). Also about that earthquake, they say that people should repent so that the earthquake does not happen (referring to the remarks made by one of the hardliner clerics who said earthquakes happens because women do not completely cover up themselves and that they cause earthquake and therefore people should repent for this sin)! Then when the earthquake does not happen they say that our prayers worked! Are people a joke to your immature and thoughtless ideas and actions? Aren’t all these unemployment and economic problems that have spread throughout the country like plague enough?”
Regarding the violation of human rights and the horrible situation of the prisons, Mehdi Karoubi said: “How come the human rights organizations that were pressuring on Iran’s prisons [about the violations of human rights] during the Shah’s era were good but now the same organizations that are pursuing the situation of political prisoners and their families and the horrible situation of the prisons, are guilty, criminal and wicked? Didn’t you become full of joy over the reports of some of the very same media that now you call them agents of CIA about the conditions of Iran’s prisons [during the Shah’s era]?"
By expressing his worries about the situation of overseeing organizations, Mir Hossein Mousavi said: “All country’s overseeing organizations are either sleep or dissolved…Of course there are some projects being done in the country that they arrest some people and then release them after a while and ask them to say things that they ask and if their goals are not met then they are sent back to the prison… Currently, our people’s awareness about the political and social problems has evolved from an embryo and people are more aware; and this awareness is fast expanding every day. Our people’s understanding has become deeper but since the actions of the government are in the name of Islam, still there are harms being done to Islam.”
On the same subject, Mehdi Karroubi stated: “Can a member of parliament who must be representative of constituency, with peace of mind and without fear of terror and getting harm, respond to the needs of people who elected him? How would the future generations judge us and what would they write in their books [about us]?”
At the end of this meeting Mir Hossin Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi invited the people to participate in the demonstrations on the first year anniversary of the rigged presidential election on June 12th based on the article 27 of the constitution that guarantees freedom of assembly, provided arms would not be carried and the assemblies would not be harmful to the fundamental principles of Islam. They also invited all reformist parties and groups to apply for permission through the Interior Ministry.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sanei Blasts Regime
Here is his latest statement:
Grand Ayatollah Saanei, senior religious figure and a supporter of the Green Movement, in a meeting with a group of students said: “Regretfully today some want Islam for their own personal lives, for their ranks and powers and for their own agendas; and have used the religion for their own benefit instead of serving their religion.”
This great Marja added: “I warned a few years ago that the danger of lying is serious. But today this problem has reached a point some people have become such shameless and blatant liars that everyone recognizes their lies and deceptions, [these individuals] as long as they have the opportunity to lie, don’t even care to tell the truth! These issues are very regretful. It is regretful for you and us, it is regretful for those how lost their loved ones as martyrs and sacrificed a lot for the system and the revolution. It is regretful but for those whom Islam and people’s religion and happiness is not important this issue is no matter of concern.”
He added: “Unfortunately today in this country we reached a point I the prominent figures and even the family of Imam Khomeini are being easily insulted and no one stops this!”
This senior religious figure in another section of his remarks advised the students and said: “Do as much as you can and spread the word that Islam is a very good religion. Promote the culture you believe in, the Islamic culture, the Islamic Republic and the constitution, the one that people voted for it not the one that some individuals have interpreted. Be cautions minimize the costs in this path but also the situation and conditions should not be such that the oppressors assume that oppression is an effective act and they were successful in silencing the oppressed.”
At the end Grand Ayatollah Saanei by expressing deep sorrow regarding the arrests, imprisonments and heavy and unjust sentences for those who were detained after the election said: “While the rest of the world is achieving amazing progress, today we are trying to solve the problems by detaining academia, scholars, journalists, ordinary people and etc. and dismissing faculty members and students, shutting down newspapers, barring people from traveling abroad and insulting the children of Imam [Khomeini] and revolution! If these figures are against the revolution so that the prisons are filled with them, so who is the revolutionary?! Calling the figures of this country anti-revolutionary and detaining them for sure will not solve the problems, but will complicate the issues and the problems even more.”
Grand Ayatollah Saanei, senior religious figure and a supporter of the Green Movement, in a meeting with a group of students said: “Regretfully today some want Islam for their own personal lives, for their ranks and powers and for their own agendas; and have used the religion for their own benefit instead of serving their religion.”
This great Marja added: “I warned a few years ago that the danger of lying is serious. But today this problem has reached a point some people have become such shameless and blatant liars that everyone recognizes their lies and deceptions, [these individuals] as long as they have the opportunity to lie, don’t even care to tell the truth! These issues are very regretful. It is regretful for you and us, it is regretful for those how lost their loved ones as martyrs and sacrificed a lot for the system and the revolution. It is regretful but for those whom Islam and people’s religion and happiness is not important this issue is no matter of concern.”
He added: “Unfortunately today in this country we reached a point I the prominent figures and even the family of Imam Khomeini are being easily insulted and no one stops this!”
This senior religious figure in another section of his remarks advised the students and said: “Do as much as you can and spread the word that Islam is a very good religion. Promote the culture you believe in, the Islamic culture, the Islamic Republic and the constitution, the one that people voted for it not the one that some individuals have interpreted. Be cautions minimize the costs in this path but also the situation and conditions should not be such that the oppressors assume that oppression is an effective act and they were successful in silencing the oppressed.”
At the end Grand Ayatollah Saanei by expressing deep sorrow regarding the arrests, imprisonments and heavy and unjust sentences for those who were detained after the election said: “While the rest of the world is achieving amazing progress, today we are trying to solve the problems by detaining academia, scholars, journalists, ordinary people and etc. and dismissing faculty members and students, shutting down newspapers, barring people from traveling abroad and insulting the children of Imam [Khomeini] and revolution! If these figures are against the revolution so that the prisons are filled with them, so who is the revolutionary?! Calling the figures of this country anti-revolutionary and detaining them for sure will not solve the problems, but will complicate the issues and the problems even more.”
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Top Reformist Political Parties Banned
The regime's purge against democracy continues as the top reformist political parties are banned:
Iran’s top reformist parties, Islamic Iran Participation Front and Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution of Iran were shut down by the Islamic Republic’s Article 10 Commission of political parties.
Secretary General of this Commission, Mahmoud Abbaszadeh Meshkini has informed these organizations in writing that the Commission has found them in violation of the Article 16 of the law of political organizations.
According to Article 16, political organizations are prohibited from “slander, libel and spreading of rumours”, “violating national unity”, “efforts to create or exacerbate conflicts between people” and “violation of Islamic Republic's Islamic principles.”
Another member of the Article 10 Commission, Hamidreza Fouladgar announced that following the withdrawal of the permits of these two organizations, the judiciary will have to announce its decision regarding the two political parties.
Secretary General of Mujahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization, Mohammad Salamati told Mehr news agency that the Article 10 Commission is biased in its decision. He added that the action of the Commission is “illegal” and he will soon respond to it appropriately.
Following the protests to the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last June, the government has confronted protesters with fierce violence.
Numerous members of the Islamic Iran Participation Front and Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution are amongst the five thousand people who have been arrested in the past ten months in order to quell the protests.
Recently Mohsen Mirdamadi, Mostafa Tajzadeh and Davoud Soleymani, all executive members of the Participation Front, were sentenced to six years in prison and ten years of ban from political and media activities.
The two reformist organizations both endorsed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s opponent, MirHosein Mousavi in the June presidential election. MirHosein Mousavi has disputed the outcome of the elections and contends that Ahamdinejad’s victory at the poll is suspect.
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has supported Ahmadinejad and more recently announced that those who are not accepting of the majority vote “do not deserve to be present in the Islamic Republic framework.”
Iran’s top reformist parties, Islamic Iran Participation Front and Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution of Iran were shut down by the Islamic Republic’s Article 10 Commission of political parties.
Secretary General of this Commission, Mahmoud Abbaszadeh Meshkini has informed these organizations in writing that the Commission has found them in violation of the Article 16 of the law of political organizations.
According to Article 16, political organizations are prohibited from “slander, libel and spreading of rumours”, “violating national unity”, “efforts to create or exacerbate conflicts between people” and “violation of Islamic Republic's Islamic principles.”
Another member of the Article 10 Commission, Hamidreza Fouladgar announced that following the withdrawal of the permits of these two organizations, the judiciary will have to announce its decision regarding the two political parties.
Secretary General of Mujahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization, Mohammad Salamati told Mehr news agency that the Article 10 Commission is biased in its decision. He added that the action of the Commission is “illegal” and he will soon respond to it appropriately.
Following the protests to the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last June, the government has confronted protesters with fierce violence.
Numerous members of the Islamic Iran Participation Front and Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution are amongst the five thousand people who have been arrested in the past ten months in order to quell the protests.
Recently Mohsen Mirdamadi, Mostafa Tajzadeh and Davoud Soleymani, all executive members of the Participation Front, were sentenced to six years in prison and ten years of ban from political and media activities.
The two reformist organizations both endorsed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s opponent, MirHosein Mousavi in the June presidential election. MirHosein Mousavi has disputed the outcome of the elections and contends that Ahamdinejad’s victory at the poll is suspect.
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has supported Ahmadinejad and more recently announced that those who are not accepting of the majority vote “do not deserve to be present in the Islamic Republic framework.”
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Political Prisoners Letter to UN Secretary General
Hopefully the UN Secretary General does not visit Iran and if he does, he should blast the regime for its behavior. Here is a letter to Ban Ki-Moon from political prisoners:
Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, secretary general of United Nations:
In a situation that the state-run radio and TV stations of Iran are applying wide spread censorship in their news programs and having access to major newspapers especially the ones that belong to the independent and reformists is prohibited for us, the political activists and journalists who have been imprisoned in security detention centers and ward 350 Evin prison, we were informed that you are travelling to Iran with an invitation from Iranian government. The least request of us, especially the large group of those who with baseless excuses and made up accusations were threatened, arrested, tried and detained during the tenth presidential election in June 2009 and its aftermath events, is for you to visit the security and political detention centers and ward 350 Evin prison and meet with the prisoners in private.
This would provide an opportunity for you to precisely learn about some of the violations of basic freedoms, democracy, and justice as well as the extensive human rights violations especially during the arrests, interrogations and trials under psychological and physical pressure; and intimately make yourself familiar with the special conditions of the detention centres and prisons of Iran especially ward 350 Evin prison.
With Regards,
Isa Saharkheiz
2010-04-15
As a representative of a group political prisoners in ward 350 Evin
Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, secretary general of United Nations:
In a situation that the state-run radio and TV stations of Iran are applying wide spread censorship in their news programs and having access to major newspapers especially the ones that belong to the independent and reformists is prohibited for us, the political activists and journalists who have been imprisoned in security detention centers and ward 350 Evin prison, we were informed that you are travelling to Iran with an invitation from Iranian government. The least request of us, especially the large group of those who with baseless excuses and made up accusations were threatened, arrested, tried and detained during the tenth presidential election in June 2009 and its aftermath events, is for you to visit the security and political detention centers and ward 350 Evin prison and meet with the prisoners in private.
This would provide an opportunity for you to precisely learn about some of the violations of basic freedoms, democracy, and justice as well as the extensive human rights violations especially during the arrests, interrogations and trials under psychological and physical pressure; and intimately make yourself familiar with the special conditions of the detention centres and prisons of Iran especially ward 350 Evin prison.
With Regards,
Isa Saharkheiz
2010-04-15
As a representative of a group political prisoners in ward 350 Evin
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Protests at Alameh-Tabatabai University
Here the story from Mousavi's facebook:
In the new Persian year, called the year of patience and perseverance by Mir Hossein Mousavi, students protests continues:
Yesterday students of Alameh-Tabatabai University (Tehran) held a gathering in protest to the presence of Samareh-Hashemi, Ahmadinajad’s top advisor, in their university. According to Daneshjoonews, Samareh-Hashemi was attending a symposium hosted by Basij and hardliners in Alameh University to defend Ahmadienajd’s nuclear policies when the students started singing revolutionary songs in protest and by holding the pictures of their fellow imprisoned classmates demanded the immediate release of the detained student activists.
In the new Persian year, called the year of patience and perseverance by Mir Hossein Mousavi, students protests continues:
Yesterday students of Alameh-Tabatabai University (Tehran) held a gathering in protest to the presence of Samareh-Hashemi, Ahmadinajad’s top advisor, in their university. According to Daneshjoonews, Samareh-Hashemi was attending a symposium hosted by Basij and hardliners in Alameh University to defend Ahmadienajd’s nuclear policies when the students started singing revolutionary songs in protest and by holding the pictures of their fellow imprisoned classmates demanded the immediate release of the detained student activists.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Grave of Khatami's Father Desecrated
The grave of Former President Khatami has been desecrated. Khatami's father was a prominent Ayatollah and everyday the regime sinks lower and lower. Here is the story and an English translation:
Last night a group of plain clothes individuals in an appalling act attacked the grave of late Ayatollah Seyyed Rohollah Khatami, father of the former president Seyyed Mohammad Khatami. Following this horrendous act the wife of late Ayatollah Rohollah Khatami started a sit-in strike at her husband’s grave until the authorities reveal who were those that freely attacked the grave of the revolutionary figure and the representative of Imam Khomeini in the province of Yazd (In south of Iran).
According to Parlemanews these so-called “unknown” individuals by splashing paint on the picture of late Ayatollah Khatami and the engraved message of Imam Khomeini that was issued for the departure of late Ayatollah committed an unspeakable act and insulted this respected religious and revolutionary figure. Following this ugly action a group of family members of martyrs and veterans [of Iran-Iraq war] have been going toward the grave of late Ayatollah Khatami to join his wife and show their anger and protest. Also the reformist representative of the province of Yazd in the parliament demanded immediate investigation in this matter to identify those who committed this horrendous act.
Last night a group of plain clothes individuals in an appalling act attacked the grave of late Ayatollah Seyyed Rohollah Khatami, father of the former president Seyyed Mohammad Khatami. Following this horrendous act the wife of late Ayatollah Rohollah Khatami started a sit-in strike at her husband’s grave until the authorities reveal who were those that freely attacked the grave of the revolutionary figure and the representative of Imam Khomeini in the province of Yazd (In south of Iran).
According to Parlemanews these so-called “unknown” individuals by splashing paint on the picture of late Ayatollah Khatami and the engraved message of Imam Khomeini that was issued for the departure of late Ayatollah committed an unspeakable act and insulted this respected religious and revolutionary figure. Following this ugly action a group of family members of martyrs and veterans [of Iran-Iraq war] have been going toward the grave of late Ayatollah Khatami to join his wife and show their anger and protest. Also the reformist representative of the province of Yazd in the parliament demanded immediate investigation in this matter to identify those who committed this horrendous act.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Regime Crushes Enviornmental Protest
On the traditional Persian holiday celebrating nature, the regime crushes an environmental protest against the drying of a lake. It was carried out by ethnic Azeris in the Northwest of Iran Here is the English story from Mousavi's Facebook:
Yesterday, Friday April 2, 2010 (the nature’s day), security forces attacked Azari environment activists who had gathered at Lake Urmiya, and while bashing and beating them, arrested many of the families.
According to the reports, security personnel by creating inspection station in a 50 km radius leading to the lake-crossing bridge and prevented people from going to the lake. They also arrested the passengers are some buses and minibuses going toward the lake in cities of Ilkhchi and Salmas.
According to reports more than hundred Azari citizen were arrested including Yavar Jamali, Morteza Avazpour, Mohammad Tajdehi, Mansour Seyfi, Arsalan Zare’ee, Hamid Valayee, Ahmad Valayee, Hossein Nasiri, Askar Sadoghi, Mohammad Tabrizi, Ali Baghbani, Yaghub Ramezani, Mohammad Mohammadlo, Azizkhan Sadeghzadeh and Sadighi. The names of others arrested are not known.
The arrests and beatings of Azaris by the coup government was because of the invitation of Azaris social activists who invited people have their nature’s day celebration (the tradition of the thirteenth day of Farvardin month on which Iranian people spend the day in nature) to show their objections to the coup government’s policies in making the lake dry.
The security personnel threw tear gas at people and attacked and beat families who were trying to spend their day by the lake and prevented access to the lake-crossing bridge. The police also issued tickets for cars that were trying to get to the lake from other routes.
In this event which was to support the environment and the Urmiya Lake, about ten thousand people gathered. In a symbolic move people had brought water and poured in the lake to show their objections to the coup government’s policies in drying the lake. They were also carrying signs in Azari language.
Experts believe that with small investment the government can solve the problem and prevent the lake from drying but the security view of the coup government to all non-Fars ethnicities and its intentional efforts to destroy the environment of these areas have caused extensive protests among Azaris.
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