Home is where someone is waiting for you

At the airport -- not with flowers


Share/Save/Bookmark

Home is where someone is waiting for you
by Reza Bayegan
04-Dec-2007
 
Human rights reporting rightly concentrate on violations that take place within the country and bring to the public attention those abuses where the victim's physical safety has been imperilled or is in immediate danger. Nevertheless we should not forget that there is a form of violation that does not physically touch the victims. There are no gallows, no visible bruises on the body, no cells or torture chambers and no bloodstains on the floor of the interrogation rooms. There could be miles or even oceans between the victims and the abusers.

The effects of these abuses are long term and measured in mental scars and deep emotional wounds. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights aims inter alia to provide a legal obligation on the part of states against this kind of violation. Article 13 of this document states that: ‘Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.’

The rights of thousands of Iranians are constantly violated because they are deprived of this basic right to return to their country without fear of persecution. Many Iranians living abroad, who for one reason or another have run afoul of the regime do not dare go back to pay a visit to their aging parents or relatives. They are denied a parting look and one last embrace with their dear ones. In a cruel tyranny such as the one ruling Iran, one cannot even count on peace beyond the grave. In many instances parents on their deathbed frightened for the safety of their exiled children extract a promise from them not to attempt to attend their funeral.

Haleh Esfandiari was one of those Iranians who risked her life to visit her ailing 93-year-old mother. While on the way to the airport to leave the country after her visit in December 2006, Esfandiari was robbed of her passport at knifepoint by three men. On re-applying for travel documents, she was imprisoned by the regime, branded as an American spy and a harbinger of a velvet revolution designed to bring about regime change in Iran. After spending 110 days in solitary confinement and giving forced ‘confessions’ it was only thanks to international pressure that Haleh Esfandiari was eventually released and was allowed to leave the country in September 2007.

Those who fear for their lives and safety on reaching the borders of Iran are not all scholars like Mrs Esfandiari working for American research institutes. They belong to all sorts of political backgrounds and walks of life. Some of them just a few years ago were part of the political establishment and have impressive revolutionary credentials. It is quite evident now that the circle of trusted allies is getting increasingly tighter in the top echelon of the Islamic Republic. The range of values purportedly defended by the ruling clique is becoming narrower and the number of those who are suspected of plotting for the downfall of the clerical regime indicates a tremendous increase. Iran has turned into a homeland where someone is waiting at the airport not with flowers, but with handcuffs for welcoming those who have dared challenging or questioning the legitimacy of the clerical dictatorship.


Share/Save/Bookmark

Recently by Reza BayeganCommentsDate
Rude Awakening
19
Apr 19, 2012
The soft-spoken thinker
3
Jan 31, 2011
A Writer in the Sky
2
Mar 03, 2010
more from Reza Bayegan
 
jamshid

Re: XerXes

by jamshid on

Anonymous9 is right. I personally know two Iranians who went back and ended up in Evin. And no, they were not monarchists nor MKO nor separatists. And no they were not "big" or queen either. There are many other similar stories which I don't find any reason not to beleive in.

 

Those who are rotting in Evin are not necessarily leaders and known figures. Quite the contrary, most of them are little heard of and average people who are opposing the IRI.

 

And there is not just "Evin". There are more than one hundred thousand political prisoners across Iran. They can't possibly all fit in Evin. There are "Evin motels" hosted by "trained totrure specialists" wherever you go in Iran.

 

You XerXes? Of all people you?!!! YOU want to teach us Iranian history and the "path" to democracy? What a laugh!

 

Your knowledge of history does not exceed that of your "emam" who did not know the difference between Rome the Italian city, and "Roum" prounounced in farsi as in the Roman Empire.

 

You knowledge of history is limited to what is taught in "hoozeye jahlieye ghom", you know... Hassan, hossein, ebn-e vaghaas, etc... So please spare us any lecture on history and any recommendation on "reading to gain more knowledge".

 

You are not an Iranian and the fact that you were born in Iran does not grant you Iran's citizenship. You have turned your face from the demise and misery of your own people. Soon the occupiers of Iran will be thrown out by the will of the brutalized and violated people of Iran. Then YOU won't be able to go back to Iran. Right XerXes?

 


default

RE:Anonymous9

by XerXes (not verified) on

Don't make yourself so big that "you would go to prison" or Evin if you go back. As if the freaking government and the people have nothing to do but to wait for you, the queen of all to return so they can take you! Let me be clear also that not all the actions by the government of Iran can be justified, but to bullshit about "those who go to Iran, they are waiting to take you" is as stupid as you saying that the government is waiting for your majesty to return so they can take you and torture you, JUST LIKE ZAHRA KAZEMI. Well Anonymous9, I guess you are an important person and I am honored for you to have made a comment. You guys are just funny, I can sit here and teach you the Iranian history and the path to "Democracy", but I suggest you go read and gain some knowledge before talking this stupid non sense. Again, I am not justifying the IRI actions, but I don't see them as evil as the liar of this article. I also let the people specially those who visit Iran often, decide about the validity of this author's argument. Unless you are MKO there is no problem going to Iran, and if you are MKO then the hell with you and your kinds anyways. good luck


default

you are really an idiot xerxes!

by Anonymous9 (not verified) on

I read your comment about me and laughed because I am not a man and do not have bulls! force of nature,being a woman!
I am not in USA and do not support Bush ,or any political party.Not now not ever.
I am out of my beloved country not by choice but by force of your beloved IRI government.
Many of my friends were tortured and killed without picking up a weapon against IRI.I did not give my life for Iran but my friends did .They did not belong to any political group!
I would love to go back to the homeland that you are killing yourself for,but I will be taken to Evin and killed right away,like Zahra Kazemi!
so ,SEE,you were wrong about all the guess you had about me,This shows how wrong you are about your openion of the Mr Bayegan 's article.
I leave the judgement to God ,and the readers of this site,not YOU!


default

RE: Anonymous9

by XerXes (not verified) on

wow man I guess I am an agent. Thanks for answering me with such a strong logic. Your Bush has killed, your president. My government has many internal problems but doesn't kill like America. Go suck your American government's you know what. You will never want to do anything for Iran, do you? what would you give from your life today for Iran to be what you like it to be. Answer this honestly before you accuse the people who are willing to DIE for Iran TODAY! So I agree with IRI, I am willing to sacrifice my life for Iran, what would you do my patriotic friend? My Eyeranian compatriot. You are so open minded and think that Iran will be fixed because people like you exist... isn't that laughable? I mean, you have guts to sit in your place in US and criticize a country that you are not even a small part of and think that we Iranians should agree with you because you live in the United States or the West? What kind of logic is that? I am an agent because there is no way an Iranian would be pro IRI? As if you are a Savak's agent because you agree with Shah? have you fucking learned anything living in the west? Are you blind to see what's happening from the bullies of the West to Our Land? do You have balls? are you a human? Beside the fact that Iran is demonized by your government, do you think this is the way to Democracy? do you have an ideology? do you believe that freedom has no price? do you think Rights are given because you are good looking? Come to Iran little friend and live here before you become so "Americanized" and "democratic". How about this, spend a few hundred dollars a YEAR to help one Iranian child, before you talk so much shit about the crimes of IRI. Are you willing? Don't shit Iranians, we had enough of your non sense "democratic" ideology. No This idiot author IS WRONG. go to Iran and you see for yourself. We are more liberal and Human than your American society. Come and see.


default

to xerxes shut up you idiot IRI agent!

by Anonymous9 (not verified) on

I am sure the writer by the name of xerxes,is an IRI agent with the fear of where the hell am I going to escape when the government of satan falls?
you idiot ,you foul mouth khakbarsar kesafat,you have not right to talk to the writer of this article this way.Is he lying? he is telling the truth,about this barbaric regime.
you are lower than dirt.


default

Author answer this

by XerXes (not verified) on

When have you visited Iran (or as you say eyeran) last? kos nagu. zer zer kardan aasuneh. Why don't you write a bit about the discriminatory acts that are done in USA when one enters this country. Why don't you talk about the Iranians who are held hostage by the US for absolutely no reason. Don't come here suck people's behind while you have no clue about Iran. Still waiting to hear when was the last time you went to Iran...And look, Kamangir an anti Iranian agrees with you, should I say more? You LA crowd aadam besho nistin. hamash mikhaayn kune amrikaayeehaaro bekhorin. khob berin bokhorin, ageh fek mikonin keh goh e amrikaayee boo nemideh!!


default

Brilliant and very moving.

by Anonymous21390+++ (not verified) on

Brilliant and very moving. keep writing about the deep wounded emotional scars that manifest themseleves in every aspects of our lives while living millions of miles away. Thank you.


jamshid

Re:What about the IRI?

by jamshid on

When IRI came to power, many left Iran immediately. Many others left gradually with time. America, Europe and other civilized countires were their destinations. Most Iranians were accepted in these host countries because there was a mutual understanding that we are not IRI terrorists.

 

But once this regime falls, and it will fall soon, where would the mullhas and their accomplices run to? I think any half decent new regime in Iran ought to put bounties on their heads to bring these criminals to justice, dead or alive. A bit of the oil revenue could fund the "prize" for their capture. The violated Iranian people will gladly pay for this funding. Greedy merceneries across the globe will begin their hunt with a greedy eye on the prize money, and and even competition for it. 

 

Imagine the mullahs! Imagine Rafsanjani, Khameniei, Ahmadinejad, when they are on the run. They will have no sleep and no peace, anywhere. They will be constantly on the run, from one city to another. Most of them will be captured or killed by bounty hunters within a few years. Even if they run to Syria or a similar country, with a bit of bribary, we can easily get them back.

 

We can be thankful to our hosts, but the mullahs won't be able to say the same. To them, home will also be a place that someone is waiting for them: Iran and its nuremburg style courts.


default

After more tha 2 decades of

by smile (not verified) on

After more tha 2 decades of being away, my mother says" I hate not seeing you for so long, BUT I am happy with this separation. ".

Saadi says " saadia hobb e vatan gar che hadisist sahih...... natvan zist be zellat, keh man aanjaa zaadam."

This a silent psychological tortur, and is worse than physical one, but is least talked about it.

Thank you for your reminding.


default

It hurts but I will endure it with pride for my beliefs

by Tahirih (not verified) on

Mr Bayegan I agree with you,and I feel the same as last writers father.I had to leave Iran 23 years ago and has not returned yet.My father passed on and I have not been able to see his grave.Iran is becoming a distant memory and Canada is home now.I still long to go and see the land of my fathers,BUT,I will do it all over again for my beliefs,and I will stand tall here in cold Canada.I will not let IRI to take away my pride or my beliefs.
Please keep on writing you are very effective writer.


default

I totally agree!

by Kamangir on

My own father is one of the many Iranians who wishes and dreams of returning to his beloved Iran. We left our country some 22 years ago and again, for someone who had spent many years of his life there, the emotional ties are very strong and not being able to return is a feeling very hard to describe.

You start counting the hours, in order to see the collapse of the bloody IRI mafia and with it the return of many Iranians who were forced to leave their dear country. I'm positive, deep inside me, something tells me that the IRI mafia is on its very last legs and sooner than later will collapse from within. The 'intelligence' report that came out yesterday, reduces the cahnces of a military action against Iran literally to zero. This is good news because a war would destroyed any chances of regime change from within. Iranians are a very sofisticated and civilized people and we will manage to set our nation free and open its doors to all its good citizens. This has been a very harsh and very long winter, we'll make it through, it wouldn't be the first time.


FACEBOOK