Joint Statement from Evin Prison in Support of the
Student Movement
About Iran has translated
the following joint statement by Mr. Abbas Amir-Entezam, the longest held
political prisoner under the Islamic Republic, and Mr. Heshmatollah Tabarzadi,
one of the most well-known leaders of the student movement. While Mr. Amir-Entezam
has spent a total of 18 years in Evin prison since the Islamic Revolution
in 1979, this the first time that Mr. Tabarzadi, a former revolutionary,
is in Evin prison under the Islamic regime. He has been imprisoned since
a month ago. For more information, please contact: About Iran, PO
Box 768, Morton Grove, IL 60053, USA, Telephone: (847) 729-3211, Fax: (847)
729-5926
Statement by Mr. Abbas Amir-Entezam and Mr. Heshmatollah Tabarzadi
From behind prison bars, we have regretfully and painfully learned
about the savage attack on students at the dormitories by Ansare-Hezbollah
and the agents of dictatorship who are clothed in security uniforms.
For any freedom lover, it is heart wrenching to learn of the killing, injury
and damage caused to our dear students who were subjected to the beating
and attack by knives, batons, cable chains, iron gloves and fire arms.
Indeed, these ignorant and violent agents committed the same shameful
act as Shah's regime did in their attack on Fayzieh [in Qom in 1963, which
resulted in the first uprising in support of Ayatollah Khomeini 16 years
before the revolution of 1979].
This savage attack by the agents of tyranny and monopoly and violence,
has once again revealed the real face of this irrational band of power
mongers and has demonstrated that theocracy is the most violent form of
tyrannical rule of our times. We offer our sympathy and condolences to
the members of the student movement and to the sorrowful families of the
[martyred] students.
Meanwhile, the spontaneous movement of the nationalist and reformist
students and other opponents of tyranny and dictatorship in Tehran and
other Iranian cities has proven that the Iranian people have decided to
end tyranny, corruption and authoritarianism. They will achieve this and
free themselves from the rule of ignorance, poverty and atrocity, by establishing
a democratic government based on the rule of law.
This shameful attack on the students by the agents of tyranny and atrocity
showed that all the unaccountable power is controlled by a band of irrational
[authorities in the Islamic Republic]. This [unaccountable control of
power] is characteristic of ideological and monopolistic rule.
While this event showed the inability of the Minister of Interior to
exercise control on the security forces, there are no guarantees that a
mere change of the commander of security forces will prevent those who
see themselves acting in accordance with totalitarianism - rather than
a [democratic] republic - from striking back by creating another tragic
event. This is possible, as they retain control over the security and
armed forces.
Thus, in order to remove tyranny, atrocity and destruction, it is incumbent
upon students, the younger generation, other groups of people, the press
and political parties to continue with their peaceful, legal and righteous
protests and their chants for freedom and democracy until such a time that
a democratic and rule abiding government is established.
From Evin Prison in Tehran
Abbas Amir-Entezam and Heshmatollah Tabarzadi
July 12, 1999
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