Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, Chief Justice of IRI Jan 19, Friday prayers: "We respect teh popular suffrage, But we say that it is not credible. Why? Because we regard the popular suffrage as subordinate to teh will of God...It does not matter if it is a majority vote or a consensus. As long as teh suffrage counters the will of God, it does not count."
Election NEWS:
1. The six principles announced by the Nehazatie forces:
They announced that these are the principles based on which they participated in the elections.
2. Mohandess Ahmad Tavassoli (former mayor of Tehran and a freind of Bazargan) denounced the elections in a wake for Bazargan in Esfehan in strong terms and criticized lack of freedoms of expression and press in the presnece of secutiy forces ina Mosque in Esfehan.
Note that GholamAbbas Tavassoli has registerd his name along with other Nehzatie people.
Kayhan London: Feb 1, 1996
3. Kayhan :Feb 8, 1996) Mir Salim: The Ershad minister:
Mr. MirSalim alleges that the press does not understand her limits. He accuses the press folks of not having "Wisdom" and "commonsense" and not knowing their limits. He sites this as the reson for current shutdowns and attack on the non-governmenal press.
4. Kayhan London: Feb. 8, 1996 Simin Behbehani and Houshang Golshiri vlunteered to shre Abbas Maroufi's punishment.
February 27 is the date when the Guardian Council will enforce her illegal power of "filtering the candidates". "Nezarate Estesvabi".
Ettelaat: Feb 5, 1996 Khamenei rules and sets the guidelines on how to filter the candidates:
He sitres belief in the Islamic system as the main criteria. He tried to discourage the Council from dwelling on the "Velayate Faghih principle too much. Note that Jannati had explicitly stated that in his views beleif in Velayate Faghih" is a "must" for every candidate. Jannati heads the Council.
It will be interesting to see how this AXE is used in screening the candidates. Khamenei: "Noone should be accused of opposing the Velayate Faghih over a tiny point, such as mere utterance of remark, and be set aside over scrupoulousness and narrowminded ness. Khamenei seems to be preventing the Council from AXing the Pro-Raf forces here. Ettelaat: Feb 8th 1996: Ayatollah Emami Kashani the spokesperson for the Guardian Council summed up the criteria as follows: belief in Islam, Islamic sytem and Velayate Faghih.
Feb. 12, 1996 Jebhe Melli Iran, and the newly formed coalition of the four MElli forces in Iran; the Hezbe Mellate Iran, Jonbeshe Azadieh Iran, Hezeb Zahmatkeshane Mellate Iran (Nirouyeh sevvom), Hezbe Mardome Iran and a separate entity called "Ettehade Demokratike Chape Iran" inside Iran either refused to participate in the elections or boycotted the elections. Fadaian (Aksariat), Hezbe Demokratike Mardome Iran, Jomhoorikhahane Melli Iran boycotted the elections a month back. 10 well known Melli and leftist Figures incluing Abdolkarim Lahiji, Haj Seyed Javadi, Dr. Farhang, Keshavarz Sadr, Ali Keshtgar, Dr. Goudarzi, etc. Also boycotted ALL upcoming elections in IRI in a separate document.
Kourosh
While the religous sector of the Melli forces, i.e., the Nehzate Azadi force have turned her back on her pre-conditions set to participate in the upcoming elections, the secular Mossadeghi forces have geared up for a boycot of the elections. Other than the forces mentioned below inside Iran, the Jebhe Melli have not announced any candidates. Please note that the total sum of Nehzate Azadi, Jebhee Melli and the new coalition described below is the "Jebhe Melli" in the thirties and forties during Mossadegh.
Outside Iran the soon to be announced "Jebhe Jomhoorikhahane Azadikhah", i.e, Fadaian, Hezbe Demokrtatike Mardome Iran, and Jomhoorikhahane Melli boycotted the elections as well.
It is interesting to see what the response of the Guardian Council is to the presense of the Nehzate Azadi forces in the elections. The 13 folks who have participated in the elections have announced in a recently published proclamation that they are following six principles in their endouver one of which is "establishment of people's rule by helping enforcement of laws in Chapter 3 of the constitution [rights and freedoms of the people] and repealing the laws which negates these freedoms and rights [Velayate Faghih law].
The Guaridan Council was instructed by Khamenei not to be too strict on filtering based on "belief in Velayate Faghih". This position indicates that he is not in favor of "thrashing" the pro-Rafsanjani candidates [coalition of Pro-Raf and the "left" - SalAm". Pro-Raf include Ghasseme Shole Sadi forces, Rajaee Khorassani people, and the slate supported by the four Vice Presidents and Karbasschi. The presense of Nehzati creates an "extreme case" for ALL other fractions to fight over and assure that they are not filtered out by the conservative Hezbollahi, Resalati Guardian Council. My guess is that the council will be divided on accepeting or not accepting some of Nehzati Candidates. Another factor in favor of accepting some of the candidates is the boycot by the opposition forces. It is almost certain that by shunting the Nehzaties out of this round of elections, the balance of power will shift towrads the newly formed oppoisiotn coalition + Jebhe Melli in the opposition front inside Iran.
It is interesting to note that nowadyads different forces inside IRI have different understanding of the Velayate Faghih principle and government:
Jebhe Melli and the new coalition seem to think that working towards securing freedoms of excpression, press, political parties for all specially the "degarAndishan" are in priority as compared to being part of the Velayate Faghih elections.
Ba Sepas Kourosh
February 11, 1996.
Coalition of Mossadeghi Forces ionside Iran:
Jonbeshe Azadi Iran, Hezbe Zahmatkeshane Mellate Iran (Neerouyeh Sevvom), Hezbe Mardome Iran and Hezbe Mellate Iran announced a Mardom Salamri Coalition of Melli forces in Iran. They boycotted the upcming "sham" elections as well.
Feb 9, 1996: Maurice Copithorne meets Dariush Forouhar in Tehran. Forouhar raised his concerns regardig HR violations in Iran. He brought up the case of six political prisoners who are snetenced to death. 14 prisoned Rohanies, sentence against Abbas Maroufi, Amir Entezam's demand.
February 11, 1996.
Coalition of Mossadeghi Forces ionside Iran:
Jonbeshe Azadi Iran, Hezbe Zahmatkeshane Mellate Iran (Neerouyeh Sevvom), Hezbe Mardome Iran, and Hezbe Mellate Iran announced a Mardom Salamri Coalition of Melli forces in Iran. They boycotted the upcming "sham" elections as well.
Fadaian (Akjsariat) issued a statement condemneing the mounting pressure on teh independent non-governmental Press in Iran. They condemned the sentencing of Abbas Maroufi and revokation of Gardoon's licence. The stateemnt was issued on 8 Bahman 1374.
Regards, Farhad A.
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These individuals are in imminent danger of execution in Iran:
The list of charges against them includes economic sabotage, defrauding state banks, spying for unspecified foreign powers, helping people leave Iran illegally, and trying to overthrow the government. Such charges are traditionally levied against the Islamic Republic's political opponents and lead to their death.
Other political prisoners at risk of execution in Iran:
7) Kazem Afkhami Tabrizi
8) Jalil Shoghi Khatibi
9) Sohrab Hosseini
10) Mohamad Mehdi Abbaszadeh
11) Ali Mohamad Karami
12) Rahman Rajabi
Please register your protest against the physical elimination of opponents of the Islamic Republic.
According to Hasan Abdi, Tehran, a three discussion sessions have been arranged to be held in Dr. Peyman's house. Dr. Ibrahim Yazdi, Mr. Yusefi Eshkavari and Dr. Habibullah Peyman were those who participated in the discussions. The first meeting was held on 19th Ramazan (8th Feb) and more than 200 people attended in the meeting. The second and the third meetings are due tonight, 21'st Ramazan and 23rd Ramazan. The discussion was related to the political and ideological issues. The statements of Jonbesh Mosalmanan Mobarez and the current political developments in Iran was read in the meeting as part of the program. The political issues were related to the election. The ideological issues were about Islamic reform.
Asghar Abdi
Preparations for the so called 'elections' to the fifth session of the Islamic Parliament in Iran have brought about the most severe levels of religious despotism . Whilst elections and voting are normally considered means of expression of freedom and democracy , in the regime of the Islamic Republic in Iran they are used to extend , deepen and strengthen dictatorship . Elections where people have no right to select their representatives , where their votes do not express their intentions and their choice, have always been the means of designating selected elements of the despot regime and of pretending to adhere to democracy , whilst in reality they have become and are becoming once more methods of ensuring the rule of the ennemies of democracy and peoples' power .In addition the rival factions within the Islamic Regime , in their internal power struggle and for the sake of enhancing their own positions, are using your votes to justify their pillage and exploitation . For them elections play the role of military coup d'etats for eliminating rival factions from positions of power and decision making . They are using ordinary people in a battle that has nothing to do with their interests . Elections demand maximum political freedom yet in Iran the preparation for the elections of the 5th session of the Parliament have brought about such an atmosphere of repression, fear and terror that even the supporters of various factions of the regime ( with the exception of the present dominant faction) see no way of participating in it. This time the situation is so bad that the defenders of the present (Islamic) anti democratic constitution and some of the supporters of the regime are calling for 'freedom.' The dominant faction of regime has already stopped the nomination of candidates from rival factions and although it will stop the true vote of the Iranian people , it will use every means from propaganda to threats and intimidations to force Iranians to vote for its hand picked candidates , in order to stabilise its power internally and to use the participation of the population in the elections to justify its rule.
Workers, Women, Young people The political forces of Worker's Left Alliance jointly call upon you to boycott these so called 'elections' . You have no interests in the battle between the two factions of the regime.You have no future with the Islamic Republic regime. In order to neutralise their anti people plans, to avoid a consolidation of dictatorship , use any means any excuse possible to avoid any involvement in these elections. At a time when this hellish regime is more isolated than ever before , do not allow it to use your vote to legitimise itself and pretend that it has popular support. Transform the regime's election charade to a demonstration of its isolation and an expression of your hatred of this regime. Freedom and Free elections cannot be achieved without over throwing the Islamic Republic Regime. Vote for its overthrow.
The Coordinating Committee of Workers Left Alliance
Dear Iranians:
In Esfand (March) of this year and under your name, there is supposed to be an election in Iran in which the candi-dates, approved by the Guardian Council that is itself appointed by "Velayate Faghih", on your behalf, would go to the parliament. And all of this takes place while you can only approve the people who "Velayat" has already chosen for you and you are considered only a tool with which the already selected representatives would find their way to the parliament.
In the current sham constitution and based on articles number #2, #6,#9, #20, #56, #68 and #84, this right has been given to you to participate in determining your own future and make decisions, but since in the eyes of "Velayate faghih" you haven't reached maturity and you cant recognize your necessitates, the spiritual leader who acts as your guardian, would decide on your behalf.
Dear citizens of Iran: For a moment think about the last 17 years in which you have been an infant (and you are still not considered an adult). And all the time that the spiritual leader has decided for you in different matters, and think about what has been done to you and your future destiny.
Do you remember that in the name of exporting the Islamic revolution they forced the eight-year war and turned your country to ruins?
Do you remember how the thousands of desperate families of the war casualties have had a miserable life, and how a number of their wives, due to economic hardship, have chosen prostitution as their profession?
Do you recognize the thousands of children of the war casualties who, as a result of the lack of poverty and proper means of growth and development, have joined the bands of urban unemployed and have been drawn to drugs, crimes and corruption?
Do you remember the completely illegal and uncivilized occupation of the American Embassy as the land belonging to a foreign country? and do you remember regime's behind-the-curtain negotiations with Reagan's administration that cost you millions of Dollars?
Do you remember the status of security, wealth, possibilities and opportunities, education, health, medicine, inflation and the cost of living before the revolution? and can you, without any particular prejudice compare the pre-revolution oppression with the situation in which you are living right now?
Aren't you still suffering from the fact that tens of thousands of your fellow countrymen and women lost their lives to defend their opinion, and that you couldn't even access their corps for a proper mourning?
Aren't you still suffering from the fact that your daughters and sons were stolen from you to be executed in jails?
Don't you think all of these have taken place because of your silence and your acceptance of the fact that you are in-deed immature?
Don't you consider that if you had somehow shown you were in fact mature and you did not need a guardian and that you wanted to implement the constitution for which you have voted, a lot of these events wouldn't have taken place?
Today, not only you have woken up and have found out about the facts but also the world has changed. do not allow others to decide on your behalf and to shape your future destiny for you worse than what it is now!
Demonstrate your frustrations and complain peacefully about the rights that have been taken from you and show the world that you want to determine your own future destiny. It is in your rights to choose your desirable system, mean-ing democracy. You have the right to use the freedom of expression. You have the right to point your finger at the wrong doings of the regime and ask the ruling class why they have done this to you? You have the right to question and persecute the ones who have undermined your rights. You have the right to be treated like a human being and expect to receive all the rights given to you by the declaration of human rights.
Dear countrymen and women, until the day that you demand your rights sincerely, none will be given them to you.
Today you have the best opportunity. don't let others decide for you. demonstrate your anger and frustration with silence and boycott the sham elections. On the day of the elections, make sure that you stay home!
Let the profiteers of the regime, in whatever appearance, fill the election centers. let the ones who, throughout the last 17 years, have opportunistically profited from the public money vote for their own regime.
Let the people who with self conservatism have saved all their families and the ones who haven't tasted the poverty support their regime. Let the ones who haven't even left their home and family for one night, the ones that have not had the true taste of khomeini's Islam and could not possibly share your feelings stay with the regime.
Dear fellow Iranians: Boycott the elections. boycott the officials of the despotic regime and don't fall into their direction and demonstrate your anger and frustrations with peaceful means. show and prove that you are alive, that you no longer need "guardians" and a "spiritual leader". Prove that you want to participate in the shaping of your own future.
Dear fellow Iranians: as of today, with a determined will and with boycotting the elections, file your dissatisfactions in a peaceful manner about everything to which you have been subjected, dissatisfactions with the high prices, with the general oppression, with the worsened economic conditions, with the high cost of living, with the high cost of health and medicine, with the disgusting cultural atmosphere, with the status of the school system, with the high costs of education, with the inadequacy of learning spaces for your children, with the unemployment, with the general interference of the state in your personal life, with the lack of security, etc...
As of today at twelve o=92clock and in all parts of this big country and the world to which you have been forced to exile, stop for one minute with silence, but look around to see other people like you. In the first few days you cant expect to see a lot of people but be sure that in a short time you will turn into a huge mass whose moving wave will force the oppressive regime to pay attention to your demands and give up to you.
On behalf of the National Rescue Front of Iran,
Abbas Amir Entezam Deputy prime minister of the provisional government
Tehran, Under house arrest in the ministry of information,
5th of Esfand 1374
This is the message from Mr. Amir Entezam that was send from his illegal house arrest for the use by different media outlets.
Legal representative for Mr. Entezam Abdolkarim Lahiji
DNI has been observing the election related processes in Iran since the establishment of a coalition known as "Seekers of Free Elections in Iran" on May 1995. This has made DNI a defacto Election Watchdog.
Since its formation ten months ago, DNI has disseminated news regarding the Freedoms of Press, Expression, Assembly and Election in the Internet domain. DNI therefore is in a position to make recommendations to the Iranian Public concerning the upcoming parliamentary elections on March 8th of 1996.
Pre-Requisites for Free Elections
IRI's response to the efforts, protests and demands of various social and professional groups for social reform in Iran has only led to more backlash. This retaliation has been in the form of letting pressure groups such as Hezbollahis to disrupt public meetings and crack down on opposition activists. Also by setting new laws, freedom of the dissidents are further limited.
The following events that have occurred in the May 1995-February 1996 time period are proofs for the above claims:
While these events illustrate the specific cases of violations of freedoms of expression, Press, Assembly and elections, they are by no means comprehensive. Recommendations In order to help reduce the occurrence of such events and create better conditions for realization of the above mentioned freedoms, DNI recommends implementation of the following measures:
Free elections We believe that the most important obstacle to Freedom of Elections in IRI is the screening process. The Guardian Council rejected close to 2872 candidates based on their belief in Islam, Islamic State system and the Velayate Faghih principle. Ayatollah Jannati, the council's secretary had indicated that screening the candidates was necessary to purge enemies of the Islamic government. He had also indicated that the screening criteria would be "adherence to Islam, Islamic state system and Velayate Faghih". His vacillation between the concepts of adherence and belief is noteworthy here. It is also interesting to note that Jannati had personally called on the Militant Clerical Society to run and disregard their elimination in the Fourth Parliamentary Elections. The point to be noted here is the difference between "belief" an adherence" on one hand and the fact that some were non-eligible in the Fourth Parlimentary elections and are eligible in the Fifth. It is also interesting to note that Ayatollah Jannati has continually supported the illegal actions [ burning publishing houses, disrupting wakes, etc.] by the Ansar Hezbollah. Recommendations
March 8, 1996 Elections It is quite obvious that the Guardian Council considers 40% of the candidates as the "Enemies of the Islamic Government". It is also clear that the Guardian Council has screened the candidates based on their belief in Velyate Faghih and not their adherance to the Constitution. A significant portion of the opposition forces boycotted the elections earlier in the process due to lack of realization of the pre-requisites for free elections, the rest of the opposition forces were screened by the Guardian Council. We recommend thorough investigation of the screening by the Guardian Council and publication of the results by indepnedent groups in Iran. However, the preliminary information obtained so far from official sources confirm our recommendations in this paper.
In light of these facts, it is best to avoid the Ballot Boxes and NOT vote. We think at this juncture, the best form of pressure would be saying "NO" to an election and staying home. Voting can only be useful when people's vote is decisive and counts. The Guardian Council's role in the election process is contrary to people's rule and democracy.
Democracy Network of Iran March 5 1996
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