Maryam Nayeb Yazdi

Modified on December 10, 2010  

In April 2010, I was told by someone that only a fool would go on a quest for unity. And then last week, someone who was referring to Shahla Jahed's recent execution said, "God doesn't protect the fools." 

When I heard this I experienced a sinking feeling in my stomach. I felt like a failure as a person who strives for unity and wondered whether God would protect me. I then quickly turned my thoughts to Shahla Jahed and pondered about the possibility that if people began to stand up for her sooner and had enough information about her case to do so, then the idea that Shahla Jahed deserved to die or that her case was not strong enough of a human rights issue would have been less prevalent. 

Let me explain very briefly what this has to do with unity. In order to have societies that truly respect the rights of humans and defend those rights unconditionally, individuals first must believe in and practice unity, which derives from tolerance, patience, and understanding. If we were more successful in embracing and practicing unity, we would have more quickly realized that Shahla Jahed is a victim of a dictatorship system that controls its citizens through fear by abusing religion while enforcing misogynistic ideals.

Throughout my activism work I have come to realize that the Iranian government is without a doubt a selfish and greedy government system at its core and it lacks a nourished root. Nothing about the Iranian government is clean or proper and its establishment was through lies and manipulation. Everyone can attest to this, no matter what group you belong to. I have realized this more as I go on.

By observing the available evidence that shows Shahla Jahed as not the murderer, I realized that her death was a failure for human rights. Even if she had committed the murder, her execution would have still been a failure for human rights. But at the same time, it was interesting to observe that Shahla Jahed's execution news did not turn the Iranian opposition negative and people did not lose confidence. Instead, many activists and citizens became appalled and angered that the world allowed the Iranian regime to get away with murder. Instead of the opposition weakening, it became stronger. Activists began to take more seriously the regime's ability to commit blatant crimes...but, let's not give the regime too much credit, it's not that brave. Shahla Jahed was easy for the regime to kill. She was a woman with the charge of murder attached to her. She was stigmatized by the Iranian regime and the Iranian society accepted it more or less. Regardless, activists now realize they were not loud enough for Shahla Jahed, which is a very positive and healthy step on the path to freedom. 

But then the Iranian regime struck again. Sakineh and her son were "released" yesterday. The online Iran world was buzzing with the news and even top newspapers spread it. It turned out that Sakineh and her son were not freed, but released to participate in a so-called documentary that revealed the manner in which Sakineh murdered her husband. To complicate matters more, the regime's mouthpiece media channel Press TV confirmed Sakineh's charges as adultery and murder, even though time and again activists have stated that the charges have no validity.

It is quite evident that the Iranian regime is playing yet another immature and cruel psychologically manipulative game, even pathetically attempting to convince to the world that the western opposition concocted the false news of Sakineh's release, to imply that the opposition as a whole is desperate to claim victory.

The Iranian opposition was not attempting to propagandize Sakineh's freedom by spreading the news. People actually thought it was possible for the Iranian regime to release Sakineh, because the international pressure was so substantial. Numerous others were kind enough to think that since Human Rights Day is on December 10th, the Iranian regime was trying to prove itself as good to the world by releasing Sakineh. It is very understandable why people spread the news of her release. Everyone hoped and wished it was true. Everyone wanted to rejoice in the beautiful moment. 

In dealing with Sakineh's case, it would be best to focus on questioning and trying to figure out what the Iranian regime has done to Sakineh and Sajjad to get them both to agree to participate in this so-called documentary. As activists and concerned citizens for a free and democratic Iran, let us learn from these instances and grow stronger. It is time that everyone, including world governments and organizations, took tougher stances to protect the Iranian people from corruption. 

I originally meant to write this blog entry to deny rumours circulating that I belong to a political opposition group. I wanted to clear the air so I can continue my work. So, just to have it on record, no, I don't belong to any political opposition group. But, I am a person who believes in the rights of humans. I am a person who believes that the Iranian people are beautiful and smart and deserve a thriving country and they deserve the right to breathe. They don't deserve suppression, manipulation, oppression, abuse, imprisonment, threats, and torture. The Iranian people deserve to be praised for their strength, intelligence, and perseverance. Additionally, I don't believe that the rights of humans can be respected and practiced in a society ruled by a dictatorship regime. And since Iran is ruled by a dictatorship regime, I am a proud supporter of the opposition to the Iranian regime (a.k.a the Green Movement).  There is only one opposition movement and it includes supporters of various opposition groups, activists, and concerned citizens. I respect and admire anyone who fights for the rights of Iranians, no matter what political, social, religious, or cultural group they belong to. They have all worked very hard to keep the path to freedom alive.