Void the Elections or Risk Violence

On Monday, June 15, more than 1 million people marched in the streets of Tehran to support Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi -- two defeated presidential candidates -- and to object to the results of last week's election. Their destination was Azadi Square (Freedom Square) which, at the time of the Islamic Revolution 30 years ago, had been the gathering spot for revolutionaries. Mir Hossein Moussavi climbed on top of a minibus and spoke to the people through a loudspeaker. He told them to continue their objections but refrain from aggressive behavior, in order not to give security forces an excuse to resort to violence.

Peaceful demonstrations ended, and while people were slowly dispersing to go home, suddenly, from the rooftop of a building belonging to Basij (the volunteer people's militia), shots were fired on the people. Another group started firing from another direction. Based on reports, there are seven killed and around 30 wounded and hospitalized thus far.

Basij operates under the guidance and supervision of the Revolutionary Guards of the Islamic Republic. It was created after the revolution, and its sole duty is to maintain and safeguard the government. Although volunteers, Basij members enjoy many privileges. They do not wear military uniforms but have the right to carry weapons and police communication equipment.

People's dissatisfaction with the results does not concern the present elections alone: Many objections were made four years ago when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was first elected president. At the time, Mehdi Karroubi and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, two senior and powerful figures of the Islamic Republic, were Ahmadinejad's opponents.

Ahmadinejad's most important position until then had been mayor of Tehran. He was, however, supported by Basij and Ayatollah Khamenei, the Islamic Republic's leader for life. Karroubi submitted several complaints to the Guardian Council, the governmental body in charge of observing and ensuring the election process. But he did not obtain any positive results. Then-President Mohammad Khatami announced that many violations had occurred. Furthermore, Hashemi Rafsanjani, who also objected to the outcome, explicitly stated that he would take his complaint to God himself, since no one in Iran would heed his objections.

Ahmadinejad's four years of presidency resulted in people's great dissatisfaction. During this time, inflation reached 25 percent, prices kept increasing on a daily basis, and people's purchasing power kept decreasing. A large number of newspapers were closed down, an increasing number of political and human rights activists were imprisoned, the offices of the Center for Human Rights Defenders (I am chair of the center) were closed down, etc.

The Leader of the revolution continued his support of the president in spite of the people's dissatisfaction, even after the Majles (parliament) declared that $1 billion had been withdrawn without legal authority. And the moment the Interior Ministry declared Ahmadinejad winner of last week's election, the Leader congratulated him, although votes had not been counted in all districts. Furthermore, other candidates had the right to contest the elections results, and no one should have been congratulated until their objections had been heard and definitive results been determined. This premature act of congratulating angered the Iranian population.

Objections to the last week's election are generally as follows:

1. At most voting locations, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi's representatives were not allowed to be present.

2. It is claimed that many of the ballot boxes have been tampered with.

3. Ahmadinejad obtained 14 million votes in the previous elections. This time, however, they made the unprecedented announcement that he had 24 million votes. Mehdi Karroubi announced that his votes were less than the number of his election headquarters' members and the members of the "Etemad Melli" party, which he heads. When millions of people in Tehran and other cities came out on the streets to protest the elections results, it was clear that Ahmadinejad's 24 million votes could not have been accurate.

Students also objected to the results. On June 15, in the wee hours of the morning, when Tehran University students were at their dormitory, the Basij militia conducted a murderous raid and a number of students were killed. There are no exact figures at present, but at least five students are said to have been killed, two of whom are women. Many have been injured.

Bassij militia and security forces have also attacked students in a number of other cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz. An estimated four have been killed and many others have been injured. According to the students themselves, 300 of their brethren have been arrested in these past few days.

Continuing protests led to the arrest of Ahmad Zeydabadi, secretary general of the Advar Tahkim Vahdat party. Furthermore, a great number of political and social activists including Saeed Hajjarian, Mostafa Tajzadeh, Abdolfattah Soltani and Reza Tajik were arrested. High speed Internet was disconnected, and foreign journalists were ordered to leave Iran as quickly as possible.

Mobile phone services and television networks including VOA and the BBC were disrupted, and the government tried to cut people's lines of communication with each other.

The situation caused a number of the members of the parliament to announce their objections in a letter, and the speaker of the parliament, Ali Larijani, to declare the Interior Ministry responsible for violence and unrest.

Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi encouraged their supporters to continue calm and peaceful protests. They told them to voice their objection and dissatisfaction through shouts of Allah-o-Akbar (God is great) between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. The sound of Allah-o-Akbar resonates in the entire city every night and is reminiscent of the nights of the revolution.

The intensification of popular protests has resulted in the Leader of the Islamic Republic ordering an investigation of the complaints and the Guardian Council announcing that some of the ballot boxes would be recounted. It does not appear, however, that this will calm the situation.

The best solution for establishing peace in Iran consists of:

1. The unconditional release of every individual arrested and imprisoned for having objected to the results of the elections.

2. Ordering the cessation of Basij and police violence toward protestors.

3. Declaring the election void.

4. Ordering new elections under the auspices of international organizations.

5. Paying compensation to the injured and to the families of those who have been killed.

Calm could perhaps be brought back to the Iranian society if these conditions are met. Otherwise, there is a great possibility of increased violence in Iran.

(C) 2009 GLOBAL VIEWPOINT NETWORK; (TM) TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

Comments

[chlai88]

The author is right. Voiding the elections is about the only way the current govt in Iran can still claim some legitimacy. The genie is out of the bottle. They have massively bungled the elections by artificially manipulating it even if the results are actually favoring Ahmadinejad. The suspicions will take away more karma points in addition to years of economic decline and suppression of rights. The emotions will get bottled up for a while but it will be back again with probably more vengeance. Iran is different from North Korea. NK's Kim is a crackpot who truly rules with an iron fist devoid of any spiritual guidance. Fortunately in Iran, spirituality and Islamic traditions are cornerstones of its society and part of Khamenei's legitimacy springs from adhering to Islamic teachings. Khamenei's authority will be severely reduced if he is seen as ignoring the values of Islamic morality. In fact, the govt stands to lose more from this if they are to persist in clenching their fist against their own people.

[ianrthorpe]

Void the elections nothing, sorry but you just have to accept that Mad Jad won. Much as we in the west don't like him he is hugely popular with the rural population in Iran.

Even the left wing Guardian Newspaper in Britain has confirmed the result (though not by as big a margin as claimed) and the pre-election polls showing Mousvadi holding a double digit lead were sponsored by organisations supporting Mosvadi.

Independent polls showed Mad Jad leading comfortably.

Deal with it and move on.

http://greenteeth.blog.co.uk/2009/06/21/what-can-come-between-a-millionaire-and-his-motor-yacht-6356411/

[wereeverywhere]

There are a hundred variants to the Iranians are backwards chant. This poster would have us believe that they're too thick to submit to the undemocratic process of IRI political life. Whatever you feel about the election, the people saw through the sham that's offered as democracy. Now they threaten the foundations of a theocracy and deserve the support of progressives everywhere.

[wereeverywhere]

Juan Cole on the fraudulent election: http://www.juancole.com
"But that is neither here nor there. The numbers do not add up. You can't have more voters than there are people. You can't have a complete liberal and pragmatic-­conservati­ve swing behind hard liners who make their lives miserable.

The election was stolen. It is there in black and white. Those of us who know Iran, could see it plain as the nose on our faces, even if we could not quantify our reasons as elegantly as Chatham House."

[robadeaux]

If the people of the US had revolted after the 2000 election fraud here, our repug government and our militaried police forces would most certainly have shot down fellow citizens in the streets.
We had to have the patience to wait it out, so that time would prove their lies... I am only surprised that they didn't do more damage than they did manage to do... their incompetence knows no bounds.

[Shortyfuse]

It is always the bravest and most articulate that are killed or jailed.Why because they are out in front , the rest are in the alleys waiting for things to go their way. SO PLEASE DON'T LOSE YOUR HEROS. LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY. Be more covert, We see you, we know you are there. If you disappear , we will know you are in the hands of the tyrants. We would love to have many of those Tiananmen square voices today, but those voices are gone forever.
I say this and yet I have to ask "Must the juggernaut always win?"

[medi22]

Dear Ms. Ebadi,

I am very sorry for the loss of lives and injuries. Thank you for your summary of what's been happening and for your suggestions of what should happen now.

How is it possible to best support the 5-point solution you are urging?

Also, it seems like any American involvement, even out of better intentions, could have negative consequences. Do you think it's better for people in the states to be active through international bodies. If so, which ones?

Thank you, also, for all your inspiring work.

[cowboyjerkface]

America needs to keep out of the election business of other countries. Look what we did in South America, Africa and most recent, Iraq.

Americans are so full of themselves and yet they get pushed around by the powers that be far more often than citizens of other nations because you will never see mass protests by Americans again. Even the angry white male teap parties that were a joke anyway, pretty much showed the world what we're made of.

And if that wasnt proof enough to the gutlessness of American voters, just look how passive 50.00111% of the people were after the gutless republicans and a right wing SCOTUS stole the elections in Florida in 2000. A repeat performance in Ohio in 2004 only amplifies that fact.

For gutless Americans who are so fat and lazy and scared ( gun nuts and anti muslim fanatics) to tell another nations'people they should revolt is disgusting.

In America you can protest all you like and never worry about the guns of government being turned on you and yet you sit in your recliners expecting others who will die from government forces to revolt.

Hey America...why dont you stay out of other countries business. I dont remember the Iranians or Iraqis demanding the American government to void the 2000 or 2004 elections. Can you just imagine the outcry from right winged fanatics and gun nuts in America when a muslim country tells them to void an election?

HYPOCRITES!

[mendelcrosses]

Iran is a soverign nation.Its INTERNAL business is its own and no one elses'

All of a sudden America and the west have forgotten 2000 and are all righteous now. Dont we all know what goes on in Africa year in year out,but do we ever hear America and the west speak?

The only reason .especially the America politicians are so concern with this is because they dont wanna talk about Health Care in America.

[mendelcrosses]

I am very concern and disturbed by how America is concern about the Iranian election.

Only 9 years ago,Bush stole an election and not one person called for it to the annuled. The congress didnt seem disturbed by the fact that the court and not the people and votes decides on who is president.

But now the congress is sitting down to pass a bill to get involve n the Iranian election and people like this author are making statements as above.

Was the American congress elected to govern Iran or America,that i will like to know.

[wereeverywhere]

Out of the thousands of reasons I'm hoping that the reform movement can throw the current reime over is that it would ensure the safety of Shirin Ebadi. Thanks for your courage in publishing these points. Thanks for standing up for Roxana Saberi. May your audacity keep you safe.

[PCM01]

Unsettling trend:the redefinition of democracy is creating some interesting outcomes.
So, everytime that we do not like the elected person or party, are we going to make mincedmeat out of them? Hamas in the occupied territories and now Iran...Florida? ..Bush/Gore?

Sour grapes might make an interesting drink, but it certainly has not place in politics.
Democracy might not always get the right person elected, but it is the best system that we know. Thus lets take the outcomes like adults.

[wereeverywhere]

Please educate yourself on the specifics. A close look at the election itself screams fraud. It simply doesn't add up. The Iranians know this and you don't get massive demonstrations in a repressive country lightly. Democracy is what IRI is NOT. Look at world democracy rankings and you'll find IRI in the bottom 20%, ten to twenty spots above N Korea. The election was a sham before it even happened in that it's designed to incredibly limit the peoples voice. A theocracy has a different dynamic for its elections- IRI is neither Florida, Turkey, nor Iceland, and the specificity matters.

[mendelcrosses]

I think you listen to too much FOXNEWS. Hamadinenajad WON on the Balot something which can not be said of Prince Bush in 2000.

The fact that Tehran(one city in Iran) is heavily against Hamadinenajad and thus protesting doesnt mean he didnt win the DEMOCRATIC election which involves the ENTIRE country.

Mind you till Today,there are many cities in the USA that are still against Obama,shall we say Obama didnt win?

In a democracy,100% of the vote is not required,just the majority of the votes. And hamadinenajad secured the majority of the votes. Iran is not Tehran,its much more.

[Pippen]

I wish the Iranian people great success in their revolt of gross injustice. They are righteous and the world watches with admiration and support.

Don't back down. True freedom is won through the Wills.

Bring your country and countrymen back into the fold of a diverse cultural world with hope and peace.

Your success and failure is ours.

[Kristen777]

Co-sign. I wish the Iranian people success in whatever scenario it may present.

[mendelcrosses]

You sound like John McCain and "We are all Georgian"

What did you do in 2000,when an election was stolen right on your door step?

[tdom]

The supreme leader speaks to the Iranian people as children, because they have accepted a government based on fairy tales. It didn't work for "The Holy Roman Empire" and it won't work for "The Islamic Republic of Iran". I'm certain that the Iranian people have a lot of pain in their collective future. It seems as though the moreintelligent the person, the more intractable the self delusion.

[robadeaux]

What has the "Holy Roman Empire" got to do with Iran? Maybe you aren't aware that it had nothing to do with the Roman Empire? To paraphrase someone more informed than I, "it was none of the three, not Holy, not Roman, and not an empire"... or maybe that was the fairytale you were refering to...?

[roztennis]

If those conditions created by Shirin Ebadi are not actualized then the Iranian people should revolt. Their freedom, democracy, and lives have been threatened and made to be thought as optional. I believe the Iranian people can't realize their hopes and aspirations for freedom through someone who is designated "Supreme Leader". The title itself suggests that he is a dictator and does not have to be accountable to the people. Also, the handling of the election sets the precedent that democracy is a joke. If this continues, Iran will continue to suppress its people and remain a grave threat to the international community. I believe it is hypocritical and irresponsible for American media commentators and politicians to say that Iran should play dead to Khamanei's power. Was it not the American Revolution that bore the Declaration of Independence and this great nation? Death was necessary in order for the principles of Jefferson's document to live. With that said, I do not think that America should intervene in Iran's fight for democracy. This is their issue and should remain that way. It would hurt the reformers in that country if America tried to intervene and offer its two cents. We are a neutral ally to their cause. Allowing them to do this on their own will be an indication to the world that Iran does not want to be an isolated threat to the security of other nations; it wants to share commonalities and alliances with nations in the West.

[mergina]

Well the Supreme Dictator today issued his message that THAT is never going to happen, not unless THE PEOPLE OF IRAN TURN THEIR PEACEFUL PROTESTS INTO A REAL REVOLUTION AND TOPPLE HIS DICTATORIAL REGIME.

[dal386]

Ms. Ebadi,
God bless your fearless activities against the a brutal regime (can be comapred to Stalin era). I hope one day you can run for the presidency (of course the regime has to allow a female as a president). You have a great deal of qualifications (being the first female judge in Iranian histroy) and a human rights activist. All the best...