After months of illegal house arrest, Mousavi was allowed to visit his family and affired his spirit is strong. Full story here:
After 7 months of house arrest, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard were finally allowed to visit the home of one of their daughters, spending some time with their three children.
According to reports received by Kaleme, 200 days after their house arrest, Mousavi and Rahnavard were accompanied by a number of male and female security agents to the residence of one of their daughters. This sudden and unprecedented visit, with all three of their daughters present, was the first time Mousavi and Rahnavard were allowed to leave the confounds of their house arrest in a period of 7 months.
The future is bright...
In the meeting with his three children, Mir Hossein Mousavi made the following statement regarding the current developments in the country: "The future is bright" While pointing to the upcoming [parliamentary] elections, the former prime minister during the 8 year holy war against Iraq stated: " Given the current climate in our country, one cannot be hopeful regarding participation in the upcoming elections."
While discussing the restrictions imposed upon them, Mousavi stated that he is grateful for the grace of God, emphasizing that the pressures and restrictions on himself and his wife are as a result of their ideals and speaking the truth, principles they both strongly believe in.
It has been reported that during Mousavi and Rahnavard's long house arrest, they were both very concerned for the life, well being and security of their three daughters, particularly as one of the pressure tactics used by security agents was making sure that Mousavi and Rahnavard were in the dark when it came to their children's well being.
Presence of a high ranking judicial figure during the family visit and Mousavi's distinct reaction
It has been reported that a high ranking judicial authority was also present during Mousavi and Rahnavard's first visit in 7 months with their three daughters, a visit that took place outside the restricted confines of Pasteur street [the location of Mousavi's residence]. Mousavi is said to have strongly protested the presence of this individual, demanding to know why he was present and who had authorized him to be there.
Mousavi and Rahnavard denied all communication with the outside world, their personal art work confiscated
During the visit with their three daughters, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard reiterated that they have been denied all communication with the outside world, including access to newspapers, radio and even certain writing materials. They both emphasized that although these tactics are designed to erase their memories, the truth and the events of the past two years will be etched in their memories for ever. Mousavi and Rahnavard also stated: " A large number of our personal art work and paintings were confiscated and taken to an undisclosed location during the interrogations and searches conducted by security agents after the initial days of our house arrest."
Mousavi and Rahnavard both in good physical condition and high spirits
Mousavi and Rahnavard's daughters describe their parents as physically healthy and in excellent spirits. Reportedly when informed about the lies that had been published regarding his health by a number of pro government media outlets, Mousavi was surprised, strongly denying any reports eluding to the fact that he and his wife suffer from any serious illness.
Pressure on the family continued after the visit, all telephone contact once again banned
According to the latest reports received by Kaleme, after this unprecedented visit outside of the restrictions of Pasteur street and Mousavi's explicit statements to the judicial authority present, pressure on Mousavi and Rahnavard once again increased and all telephone contact between Mousavi, Rahnavard and their daughters was yet again banned.
This is the second time Mousavi's statements have reached Green media outlets in 2011. The first such occasion was when Mousavi was briefly allowed to visit and pay his respects to the body of his late father Mir Esmail Mousavi this past April, and he reportedly repeated to those present: "patience.... patience.... patience..."
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Quote for Iran Today
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
-John F. Kennedy
-John F. Kennedy
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Locatioin of the Karroubi House Arrest Moved
While the location of the illegal house arrest of Mehdi Karroubi has moved according to his wife. Full story here:
While expressing hope that the prayers of all people will be answered during this holy month of Ramadan, Fatemeh Karroubi stated: "I would like to first and foremost remind our citizens that Mr. Ahmad Janati, in his capacity as spokesperson for the regime first expressed the need to arrest the leaders of Iran's opposition movement during a Friday Prayer service on February 18th, 2010. At that time, Mr. Janati recommended that the judiciary render the leaders of the sedition [Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi] incommunicado, cutting off all communication with the nation of Iran and the outside world. Mr. Janati recommended that the leaders of the opposition movement be kept under house arrest and their telephone and internet connection disconnected so that they would not be able to issue any statements or receive any messages from the outside world, creating a virtual prison within their homes. Pursuant to Mr. Janati's speech both our building and our son's house were raided and occupied. Mr. Karroubi protested from the very beginning against the illegal occupation of our residential building, warning them repeatedly, demanding that at minimum the family be moved to another building in order to avoid any further disturbance to the other residents, so that other home owners could at least move back in to their homes."
In relation to Mehdi Karroubi's condition Fatemeh Karroubi stated: "From the onset of his house arrest, Mehdi Karroubi has been deprived of all basic prisoner rights such as access to fresh air, visitation rights and access to books and newspapers. These violations of basic prisoner rights have continued to this day and are detrimental to his physical health and well being."
With regards to the transfer of her husband to a new location, Mrs. Karroubi stated: "After much insistence by Mr. Karroubi, they finally transferred him to a small apartment as of the beginning of Ramadan. Given that the security agents have also moved in to his small one bedroom apartment and given the limited space, they have made it virtually impossible for me to move in with my husband. It is worth mentioning that according to earlier discussions [with security officials] they have agreed that Mr. Karroubi would be transferred to his house in Jamaran. However, for reasons unknown to us, security forces refused to even allow him to be transferred to his own home."
Fatemeh Karroubi continued: "I would like to clearly announce that Mr. Karroubi has one home only and this house is located in Jamaran and forcing his family to rent another location does not mean that he is living in his own home."
In conclusion Mrs. Karroubi described her husband's spirits as strong stating: "Although in the past 190 days, security agents have only allowed my husband access to fresh air once in the yard and despite the fact that his last visitation was on the 15th of Shaban [mid July], his spirits remain strong. He has remained steadfast from the very beginning, demanding nothing from the regime and his prison guards. He has remained calm and confident despite having been deprived of all fundamental prisoner rights, enduring all hardship and proud of the stance he has taken in defending our nation's rights. The regime must know that Mr. Karroubi's personal sacrifices began prior to the Islamic Revolution and he will not hesitate to pay any price or endure any hardship in his quest to uphold the rights of the nation of Iran."
Mehdi Karroubi is currently under house arrest in an small apartment, without his wife. It goes without saying that the concerns for his physical well being are increasing with the passing of each day. In the past month, pro government media outlets renowned for spreading rumors and fully aware of the popularity of Mr. Karroubi and Mr. Mousavi amongst the Iranian people have once again engaged in publishing false reports and lies. Despite these false allegations, the Iranian nation is fully aware of the absurd nature of the lies published by media outlets affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
While expressing hope that the prayers of all people will be answered during this holy month of Ramadan, Fatemeh Karroubi stated: "I would like to first and foremost remind our citizens that Mr. Ahmad Janati, in his capacity as spokesperson for the regime first expressed the need to arrest the leaders of Iran's opposition movement during a Friday Prayer service on February 18th, 2010. At that time, Mr. Janati recommended that the judiciary render the leaders of the sedition [Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi] incommunicado, cutting off all communication with the nation of Iran and the outside world. Mr. Janati recommended that the leaders of the opposition movement be kept under house arrest and their telephone and internet connection disconnected so that they would not be able to issue any statements or receive any messages from the outside world, creating a virtual prison within their homes. Pursuant to Mr. Janati's speech both our building and our son's house were raided and occupied. Mr. Karroubi protested from the very beginning against the illegal occupation of our residential building, warning them repeatedly, demanding that at minimum the family be moved to another building in order to avoid any further disturbance to the other residents, so that other home owners could at least move back in to their homes."
In relation to Mehdi Karroubi's condition Fatemeh Karroubi stated: "From the onset of his house arrest, Mehdi Karroubi has been deprived of all basic prisoner rights such as access to fresh air, visitation rights and access to books and newspapers. These violations of basic prisoner rights have continued to this day and are detrimental to his physical health and well being."
With regards to the transfer of her husband to a new location, Mrs. Karroubi stated: "After much insistence by Mr. Karroubi, they finally transferred him to a small apartment as of the beginning of Ramadan. Given that the security agents have also moved in to his small one bedroom apartment and given the limited space, they have made it virtually impossible for me to move in with my husband. It is worth mentioning that according to earlier discussions [with security officials] they have agreed that Mr. Karroubi would be transferred to his house in Jamaran. However, for reasons unknown to us, security forces refused to even allow him to be transferred to his own home."
Fatemeh Karroubi continued: "I would like to clearly announce that Mr. Karroubi has one home only and this house is located in Jamaran and forcing his family to rent another location does not mean that he is living in his own home."
In conclusion Mrs. Karroubi described her husband's spirits as strong stating: "Although in the past 190 days, security agents have only allowed my husband access to fresh air once in the yard and despite the fact that his last visitation was on the 15th of Shaban [mid July], his spirits remain strong. He has remained steadfast from the very beginning, demanding nothing from the regime and his prison guards. He has remained calm and confident despite having been deprived of all fundamental prisoner rights, enduring all hardship and proud of the stance he has taken in defending our nation's rights. The regime must know that Mr. Karroubi's personal sacrifices began prior to the Islamic Revolution and he will not hesitate to pay any price or endure any hardship in his quest to uphold the rights of the nation of Iran."
Mehdi Karroubi is currently under house arrest in an small apartment, without his wife. It goes without saying that the concerns for his physical well being are increasing with the passing of each day. In the past month, pro government media outlets renowned for spreading rumors and fully aware of the popularity of Mr. Karroubi and Mr. Mousavi amongst the Iranian people have once again engaged in publishing false reports and lies. Despite these false allegations, the Iranian nation is fully aware of the absurd nature of the lies published by media outlets affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Protests over Lake Urmia
Protesters have been rising up in the Azeri parts of Iran over the deteriorating environmental conditions at Lake Urmi. Clip of protests above and here is a report of the regime clamping down:
Iran's Intelligence Ministry has detained over 30 ethnic Azeris in recent days over environmental protests, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.
The activists in Tabriz were protesting the Iranian government's failure to take measures to save Lake Urmia, a salt lake situated between Iran's East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces that is drying up.
Members of the activists' families told RFE/RL that over 30 people were detained on August 24 during an iftar evening meal when Muslims observing Ramadan break their fast.
On August 25, several more activists were detained before and after a soccer match in Tabriz between the Azerbaijani Trakhtorsazi team and local team Shahrdari Tabriz. Thousands of Azerbaijani fans chanted "Lake Urmia is dying, the Majlis orders its execution" during the match.
Several more activists were reportedly detained in Ardabil and other cities.
Iran's parliament recently voted against allocating funds to channel water from the Araz River to raise the level of the lake. Instead, they proposed relocating Azerbaijanis living around Lake Urmia.
Turan Kheyri, the wife of detained activist Mustafa Avazpur, told RFE/RL that he has been detained twice before for demanding the protection of Azeri rights. She says Avazpur was released from jail last year.
Asgar Sadiqi, the brother of detained activist Abdullah Sadiqi said Abdullah telephoned them to say he was being held at an Intelligence Ministry facility in Tabriz. He said the ministry did not inform the family why Abdullah was arrested.
Vahid Qaradagli, an Azeri human rights activist in Iran, told RFE/RL on August that Azeri activists are enraged at the Iranian government's failure to take measures to prevent Lake Urmia from drying up.
"The activists were planning more protests on August 27, and the government is arresting activists to avert the wave of protests," he said
Qaradagli says the government has built a fence around the lake, but no steps have been taken to preserve it. He says if the lake dries up, some 10 million tons of salt will remain which will damage the environment and may cause illness among people living in the vicinity.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Where is Kouhyar Goudarzi?
The regime has arrested him without telling anyone what happened to him. Full story here:
Human rights groups have expressed concern over the fate of Kouhyar Goudarzi, a prominent Iranian activist who was arrested last month by plainclothes security forces.
Goudarzi, 25, an active member of the Committee for Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) in Iran, was picked up from a friend's house in Tehran on 31 July, but authorities have so far refused to acknowledge they are holding him.
Neighbours said Goudarzi was taken away with two of his friends by people believed to be from Iran's ministry of intelligence. His whereabouts are unknown but speculation is rife that he has been taken to Evin prison.
A day after Gourdarzi's arrest his mother, Parvin Mokhtareh, was detained in the southern city of Kerman. She has been accused of insulting the supreme leader, propaganda against the regime and acting against the national security. Amnesty said the charges stemmed from an "interview she gave when her son was imprisoned in 2010 in relation to his peaceful human rights activities".
Goudarzi's lawyer, Mina Jafari told the opposition website Roozonline: "We are very worried for Kouhyar's physical and mental health. Our only source of information about Kouhyar was through his mother, who herself got arrested … Now, we have no information about Kouhar, nor his mother. Whatever happens to him, those who arrested him should be held responsible."
Amnesty called for Iran to allow Goudarzi to have access to his lawyer and family. "Kouhyar Goudarzi's arrest is cause enough for concern, let alone his effective 'disappearance'. He has been denied contact with the outside world and this puts him at real risk of torture or ill-treatment," said Amnesty's UK media director Mike Blakemore.
"The Iranian authorities should immediately reveal where Kouhyar Goudarzi is being held and allow his family and lawyer to visit him. If he is being held solely because of his peaceful human rights activities then we would consider him a prisoner of conscience who should be released immediately and unconditionally."
Goudarzi was previously arrested in the aftermath of Iran's disputed presidential elections in 2009. He was initially accused of moharebeh (waging war against God), which carries a death sentence, but was convicted of "spreading propaganda against the regime" and sentenced to a year in prison. While there, Goudarzi won the National Press Club award for his human rights activities. He was released from prison in December last year.
Human rights groups have expressed concern over the fate of Kouhyar Goudarzi, a prominent Iranian activist who was arrested last month by plainclothes security forces.
Goudarzi, 25, an active member of the Committee for Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) in Iran, was picked up from a friend's house in Tehran on 31 July, but authorities have so far refused to acknowledge they are holding him.
Neighbours said Goudarzi was taken away with two of his friends by people believed to be from Iran's ministry of intelligence. His whereabouts are unknown but speculation is rife that he has been taken to Evin prison.
A day after Gourdarzi's arrest his mother, Parvin Mokhtareh, was detained in the southern city of Kerman. She has been accused of insulting the supreme leader, propaganda against the regime and acting against the national security. Amnesty said the charges stemmed from an "interview she gave when her son was imprisoned in 2010 in relation to his peaceful human rights activities".
Goudarzi's lawyer, Mina Jafari told the opposition website Roozonline: "We are very worried for Kouhyar's physical and mental health. Our only source of information about Kouhyar was through his mother, who herself got arrested … Now, we have no information about Kouhar, nor his mother. Whatever happens to him, those who arrested him should be held responsible."
Amnesty called for Iran to allow Goudarzi to have access to his lawyer and family. "Kouhyar Goudarzi's arrest is cause enough for concern, let alone his effective 'disappearance'. He has been denied contact with the outside world and this puts him at real risk of torture or ill-treatment," said Amnesty's UK media director Mike Blakemore.
"The Iranian authorities should immediately reveal where Kouhyar Goudarzi is being held and allow his family and lawyer to visit him. If he is being held solely because of his peaceful human rights activities then we would consider him a prisoner of conscience who should be released immediately and unconditionally."
Goudarzi was previously arrested in the aftermath of Iran's disputed presidential elections in 2009. He was initially accused of moharebeh (waging war against God), which carries a death sentence, but was convicted of "spreading propaganda against the regime" and sentenced to a year in prison. While there, Goudarzi won the National Press Club award for his human rights activities. He was released from prison in December last year.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
More Than a Boycott
I suggested in this post that there must be a boycott of next year Majlis elections. But there should be more than simple inaction to respond to the illegitimacy of the Islamic Republic. As I talked about a few weeks ago, Iranians must organize almost a parallel government alongside the current regime. In Libya, with see the National Transitional Council gain cohesion and international recognition to help the Libyan people get rid of their dictator.
While creating a similar institution in Iran would obviously come with challenges like creating a united front and dealing with the suppression of the government, it would also have great opportunities to bring about positive change. If there is a complete boycott of state elections and then putting energy into to creating a separate governing entity, then a vision for a new Iran can begin.
The organization of this new government will certainly be a challenge. It could be organized online among residents of cities across Iran or an external group of exiles who represent the Iranian community to the International community. The point is the Islamic Republic regime does not represent me as an Iranian citizen and we should create an alternative that does.
While creating a similar institution in Iran would obviously come with challenges like creating a united front and dealing with the suppression of the government, it would also have great opportunities to bring about positive change. If there is a complete boycott of state elections and then putting energy into to creating a separate governing entity, then a vision for a new Iran can begin.
The organization of this new government will certainly be a challenge. It could be organized online among residents of cities across Iran or an external group of exiles who represent the Iranian community to the International community. The point is the Islamic Republic regime does not represent me as an Iranian citizen and we should create an alternative that does.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Ghadaffi Falls
The moment the regime collapased as Freedom Figthers enter Martyr Squard (formally Green Square) in Tripoli. Khamenei should pay close attention because he is next along with his friend Assad.
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