Shifiting focus

More peaceful future for people of Iran might secure more peaceful world

Balatarin
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Shifiting focus
by Craig and Marc Kielburger
28-Mar-2010
 

Every Saturday since last June, Farzaneh Zeinali met with a group of mothers at Laleh Park in Tehran.

The women dress entirely in black and silently make their way along pathways by candlelight. In their hands, they carry photos of their children - all political dissidents either killed or imprisoned in the aftermath of last year's disputed presidential election.

This group is known as the Mourning Mothers of Iran. But, Zeinali doesn't march with them anymore.

In January, she was one of 32 arrested by the Revolutionary Guard. While most of the others have since been released, it is believed Zeinali remains in the notorious Evin Prison - a place synonymous with years of torture and abuse.

This is just one example of the human rights abuse carried out by the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Revolutionary Guard. Iran has well-known history of jailing political dissidents, putting down protests with violence and enforcing oppressive laws through the religious police.

It should be pointed out occurs without the help of a nuclear bomb. Yet, it's proliferation over human rights that produces countless rounds of diplomatic talks and tops meeting agendas at the United Nations.

There's no doubt that Ahmadinejad's nuclear ambitions are a concern across political spectrum. But, while treaties, sanctions (even military action) have been put forth as possible solutions, it's what we're overlooking that could be the greatest threat to Ahmadinejad's regime - the years of human rights violations committed against his own people.

"Every time that [the Mourning Mothers] gather they are beaten up and attacked by the police," said Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist in a speech at the Asia Society in New York. "Therefore if you want to see what lies ahead, what lies in the future of Iran, you can rest assured that it is the Mourning Mothers that will bring democracy to Iran."

Since last June's disputed presidential elections, mass protests have challenged the legitimacy of the Ahmadinejad regime. The Revolutionary Guard successfully blocked demonstrations planned on the 31st anniversary of the Revolution in February. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei even went as far as to mock the "futile efforts to subjugate" Iran.

But, futile may be an understatement.

The government had to flood Tehran with security forces and impose what U.S. President Barack Obama called a "near-total information blockade" in order to stop the demonstration. Still, Iranian dissidents continue their calls for democracy over the blogosphere and protestors keep the movement alive in the streets.

While Ahmadinejad does control Iran, his legitimacy is being challenged on a near-daily basis. By not putting the human rights violations at the forefront, we're missing the opportunity to stabilize and secure the nation

This is not unlike Eastern Europe at the end of the Cold War. In 1984 Hungary, George Soros' Open Society Institute injected millions of dollars into the democratic opposition and independent media. As these institutions grew, they in turn weakened the existing political structures.

Today though, the United States is looking to impose sanctions to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. But, as seen in North Korea, Iraq and even Iran itself, these measures rarely succeed in reversing hostile behavior.

What does consistently guarantee a more peaceful, stable world is the emergence of open, democratic nations with populations free from abuse by their governments.

This is exactly what growing numbers of Iranian citizens around the world are calling for. In doing so, they are weakening Ahmadinejad's legitimacy.

By now shifting our focus to the current human rights abuses taking place in the streets of Tehran, we may just ease our proliferation concerns. In securing a more peaceful future for the people of Iran, we might just secure a more peaceful future for the world.

First Published in HuffingtonPost.com.

AUTHORS
Craig and Marc Kielburger are co-founders of Free The Children.

Balatarin
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Darius Kadivar

Abarmard Jaan I'm afraid You Don't ;0)

by Darius Kadivar on Thu Apr 01, 2010 04:43 AM PDT

Cause Even if the Shahbanou may have said this to justify her husbands shortcomings and personal ignorance (not knowing or not wanting to know )  ... SHE WAS WRONG !

Which does not for that matter make Her Personally Guilty since she had no political power unlike her husband.

Human Rights ARE NOT Negotiatable !

Whether or Not They are commited under a Republic or a Monarchy.

When They do then They are Not Democratic.

My statement and Links simply prove that Human Rights are  UNIVERSAL Values by Definition to which ALL Systems of Governments have to comply too otherwise their rulers become Illegitimate and deserve to be toppled.

You understand it differently because You have a Jacobin Reading of the Republic which consists mainly of saying that Heads Can Roll as Long as they threaten the Republic's Foundations.

From that Point of view you ressemble supporters of an Absolute Monarchy (albeit here a Turbaned Dynasty).

When on the otherhand I support Restoration of the Monarchy it is in the spirit of a De Gaulle who wished to Restore the Republic by Toppling the Illegitimate VICHY Republic.

Restorations are Not always about Restoring the Monarchy, they can also be applied to Republics. Restoration is Not about repeating past errors but Correcting them. In the case of a Monarchy it usually leads to Constitutional Monarchies as opposed to Absolute Monarchies. This was the case in England with the Restoration of Charles II after Cromwells Religious Republic came to an end.

RESTORATION: Britain's 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 and the 'Bill of Rights'

HISTORY FORUM:Oliver Cromwell and the English Civil War with David Starkey (4 parts)

As such Restorations are Not Dogmatic nor Cult Ridden. What they aim at is correcting past errors and improving an imperfect system which had an institutional justification and utility to that given society.

You On the Contrary endorse the Fact that Your Caesar (aka Khamenei) Crossed the Rubicon !

If You don't know where That Led him ultimately ? ... ;0)

Watch This :

HISTORY FORUM: Michael Parenti's "The Assassination of Julius Caesar"

   

 


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Abarmard

DK I agree

by Abarmard on Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:54 AM PDT

Even Shahbanu has mentioned the negative reports about Shah during the 70's. Good point.


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Darius Kadivar

Abarmard Jaan in that case Why didn't you say this back in 79 ?

by Darius Kadivar on Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:48 AM PDT

When the Situation was No different than today ...

Adab az Keh Amouktee Az Bee Adaban

Shah of Iran on the Issue of Torture:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8u2UKWCHtM

SAVAK" HQ seized by Civilians - Feb 79 :

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8fMFCSFNZ4

Swiss Documentary interviewing Iranian Students in Geneva about Savak:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=buAL0sed1uc


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Abarmard

DK Aziz

by Abarmard on Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:33 AM PDT

It's Human Rights. Human Right groups should look at any situation from humane level rather than political. You say this is not the way it is?

Well, what it is not, it's ought to be. Just for having a wrong attitude imprinted in our head doesn't make it right. My questions remain about these people and their interest towards Iran. I also know that we have nicer eyes and eyebrows, but was hoping for a better answer. 


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Darius Kadivar

Abarmard Jaan Could You please Enlighten Me ? ;0)

by Darius Kadivar on Wed Mar 31, 2010 09:55 AM PDT

How Can Human Rights Ever Be seen seen from a Non-Political Angle ?

GOOD READ: All You Need to Know About The Enlightment Philosophers

Human Rights by Defintion as expressed in it's First declaration in 1789 is UNIVERSAL and as Such it is up to nation's and their governments to comply to THAT Universality and Not the contrary.


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MM

nice article - thanks.

by MM on Tue Mar 30, 2010 09:59 PM PDT

.


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Abarmard

I am curious

by Abarmard on Tue Mar 30, 2010 09:54 PM PDT

Firstly, I think the concept of Human Rights based on suffering has to become a non political issue. Meaning that the description to judge a government that has taken innocent lives must be based on the number of innocent civilians killed or influenced by any government, be it foreign or local.

In that case people as such as these authors, who I greatly admire for their work but am convinced that are tricked in to the organizational leadership based on political agenda to be concerned for one life and let go of another, because their government says so, will begin to focus on the areas that real problems reside.

Secondly, I am curious as how these organizations, news media, and concerned individuals, are so caring about Iranian "democracy" while in recent events taking place in Yemen, they stayed silent when Saudi government killed thousands of "rebels" who disagreed with dictatorial Saudi government. I assume these individuals call that "Chaos" and perceive Iranian uprising, that is not much different, as "democratic"! What's up here? How many people think that you and many others would be as concerned if Iran had no oil? or Iran was pro US but behaving similarly?

I hope for the day that the important issues such as Human Rights and killing and torturing innocent civilians from any government, based on humanity agenda rather than political takes place. I hope for a day that these people won't think Iranians need "their democracy" and Saudi or Chinese, just because their government is pro US, don't. I hope for a day that a government is judged not by how they treat their own but by how they treat human life anywhere anyplace.

I wonder where these people were when all these things were happenings. Why Iran? I admire them for speaking up for Iranian cause, yet I do question their motives, not them but who and where they come from.

Iran is a country that has a authoritarian system, yet there are much worse systems that their people need a voice, but are in line with Western regimes. Why not give them a voice? Should I even begin to speak for the Palestinians?

Dear Kielburger brothers, I do thank you for your concern in regard to Iran, yet I am doubtful about your knowledge in regard to you being tricked to think that you are on the right side. Unless you begin to ask the real questions, you can't fool Iranians inside about your true intentions. However, you may enjoy your audience within these closely controlled media island of United States.

*General letter to all the pro "Iranian Democracy" media! 


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