Human Rights

Give diplomacy a chance

We, the undersigned, represent the views of a diverse grouping of Iranian expatriates in the United States, the UK and elsewhere in the West. Some of us have vastly different views regarding the current government in Iran; we are individually members of many different political parties; we do not all agree on how best to reach stability in the Middle East. But we all feel a connection with both our homes in the West and the finest core values of the societies in which we are living, and with the country of Iran and its cultural traditions, whether we came by these ties by birth, heritage or friendship.>>>

You can make a difference

Nazanin Afshin-Jam: I was ecstatic when I found out that not only was Nazanin going to be spared from execution but that she was also going to be released from the agony she suffered from being in jail for over two years. I was particularly inspired by all the individuals around the world, young and old, who used their talents and blessings to help free Nazanin. There were 8 year olds holding assemblies in their schools for Nazanin, there were artists who had painted pictures for Nazanin, created sculptures, written poems and songs for her, everyone played a role.>>>

Artesh e Solh kojaast?

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Blame game

Why are so many people making such a big deal out of such a troubled nation, the Jewish nation (if we can call it a nation). Although Jews are pretty strong (especially rich) and so and so, there is absolutely no proof about all the things said and written exaggerating their power and importance. Iranians say Zionists (Jews) plot against Iran to destroy it. Many in other countries believe similar stories, though in slightly different, locally appropriate, versions. The richest man in the world is currently an Arab (search on Google world's most powerful man is a non-Jewish, Christian, American. Arabs in the U.A.E. make much more money than Jews in Israel. The Internet is full of anti-Jewish stuff, and Jews seem to be squeezed out all over the virtual world.>>>

Can I save him?

Today my friend in Iran called me. She told me about the imminent execution of Ali Mahin Torabi, her nephew. He’s 21 years old, and he has been declared guilty of a murder he hasn’t committed. He has spent the last five years of his life—since he was 16 years old--in a prison, waiting for his execution... He is still full of life and hope but my friend sounded so desperate. She asked me to help Ali. I write this with that task weighing heavily upon my shoulders. Where to begin?>>>

Blown out of proportion

A few days ago, I was home minding my own business, eating my yogurt (as they say in Farsi/Persian) when a friend told me over the phone that Ahmadinejad had made a fool out of himself by saying that there are no gays in Iran. Because I don’t have cable television, I could not listen to Ahmadinejad’s talk at Columbia, live on TV. I had to trust that the president “gand zadeh” as my friend put it. She was upset not only because of Ahmadinejad’s alleged statement about the lack of homosexuals in Iran, but also because of Bollinger’s disrespectful and rude introductory remarks. >>>

Brutal denial

The presence of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at University of Columbia reminded me of the act of another extremist figure, the well-known Imam Suhayb Salam in the Netherlands. On 31th of July I was invited to a Dutch TV-program called Bimbos & Burqas, this title refers to the post-modern hedonistic Paris-Hilton-culture (Bimbo) on one hand and the orthodox-religious be-afraid-for-the-hell culture (Burqa) on the other hand. One of the Burqa members was the Orthodox Imam Suhayb Salam, who had brought along his wife who was wearing a Burqa, looking like a human-penguin in studio 52 of Hilversum television station. >>>

Participate, suggest ideas

Iranian Society for Human Rights in Northern California plans to organize a seminar in order to generate an inclusive and non-partisan discussion among interested Iranians on the problems and challenges facing human rights activists in Iran. The idea of a non-partisan struggle for human rights or democracy is very new to our political culture. While recognizing that non-partisanship is not opposed to or a substitute for partisanship, the proposed seminar will explain the central role of non-partisan agents and agencies in promoting a culture commensurate with the idea of human rights. >>>

The cost of war

Today, September 21st is the International Day of Peace. This day was first inaugurated on the third Tuesday of September, 1982 and the goal of International Day of Peace was to "devote a specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as of the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to peace in all viable ways. It should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.">>>

The clash of idiots

But we in the Iranian Opposition, or for that matter, every Iranian with at least five years education, is not really surprised to see how the Seyyeds are sitting in the driving seat of one of the oldest nations of the world, and do not really know what to do. But they are only there because the people of Iran do not have any faith in civil disobedience. The Seyyed rulers know that as long as the people of Iran do not confront them with the idea of a General Strike, they can put Iran in harms way.>>>

Lost in the garden of deceits

The call for war against Iran was issued by no other than Mr. Bernard Kouchner the foreign minister of France, a country with the motto of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. France the home of Voltaire and Rousseau is now calling for war against a country that has never threatened France or its neighbours. France a nuclear power with illustrious colonial past is urging others to be aware of the dangers that nuclear weapons pose. From the other side of the Atlantic we hear the same cries for more war, death and destruction.>>>

«نه زیستن، نه مرگ»

تازه چشم‌هایم در حال گرم شدن بود که احساس کردم کسی پهلویم دراز کشید. سایه‌اش را دیدم. نمی‌دانم چقدر طول کشید، ولی مطمئناً زیاد نبود. یکباره احساس کردم که زمین زیر پایم به لرزه در آمده است. با هراس از خواب پریدم. بغل‌دستی‌ام دچار تشنج شده بود. سرش به عقب افتاده بود و خر و خر می‌کرد. دست‌پاچه شده بودم. نیم‌خیز شدم. ابتدا فکر کردم که دچار حمله‌ی صرع شده است و خواستم کمکش کنم. نگاه کردم، دیدم پاهایش تا زانو باندپیچی شده و خون‌آلودند. ناگهان به خود آمدم. به سرعت متوجه‌ی اشتباهم شدم. او سیانور خورده بود و حالا مجرای تنفسی‌اش دچار مشکل شده بود. دست و پا می‌زد و جان می‌داد.>>>

توجیه آپارتاید دینی ایران

آقای لاریجانی اگر زحمت زیادی نیست محبت بفرمائید و در پیشگاه اهل تحقیق و صاحبنظران و در فضای باز اینترنت نشان بدهید در کدامین برهه و کدام مورد بهائیان با "کسانی که با جان و مال مردم این سرزمین تعرض می کنند" "دوستی و مهربانی و عدم سخت گیری" نشان داده اند؟ در کدام زمان و مکان زنان بهائی در روابط جنسی متعدد "آزادانه" عمل کرده اند. آیا بی بند و باری جنسی و فساد اخلاقی بی سابقه کنونی ایران نتیجه سیاستگذاری و روشهای بهائی است یا آموزه های اسلامی؟ چرا پس از بیش از ربع قرن حکومت اسلامی فحشا و اعتیاد در ایران بی داد می کند>>>