Persian Realm

Interview with Dr Shapour Bakhtiar on Democracy in Iran:

Parisa Saed interview of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on how to boost Human Rights activism in the West regarding Iran, May 1993:

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MAGNA CARTA – THE GENESIS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS

(From Feudalism to a Modern Accountable State)

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Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215, and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions that omit certain temporary provisions, including the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority. The charter first passed into law in 1225. The 1297 version, with the long title (originally in Latin) The Great Charter of the Liberties of England, and of the Liberties of the Forest, still remains on the statute books of England and Wales. The 1215 Charter required King John of England to proclaim certain liberties, and accept that his will was not arbitrary, for example by explicitly accepting that no "freeman" (in the sense of non-serf) could be punished except through the law of the land, a right which is still in existence today. Magna Carta was the first document forced onto an English King by a group of his subjects (the barons) in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their privileges. It was preceded and directly influenced by the 1100 Charter of Liberties, when King Henry I had specified particular areas where his powers would be limited. Despite its recognised importance, by the second half of the 19th century nearly all of its clauses had been repealed in their original form.

Magna Carta 800th Anniversary on Nov 2010:

The 800th Anniversary of the Proclamation Ending Arbitrary Arrests and Torture

Liberty by Law - Freedom speech by Robin Hood :

A dialogue scene from the movie Robin Hood (Universal Studios 2010); Robin Hood lectures King John about empowering every man

Longer Version:

MAGNA CARTA FOR DUMMIES :

Quick Overview on the origins of the Magna Carta and the comparison with the Current Constitution of the United States edition of Mr. Zoller's social studies video podcasts

The British Constitution:

David Challice reminds us that there is a written British Constitution (although Debateable). He refers to the hisorical documents that contain it, including Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Acts of Union and the Coronation Oath. In this age of eroded individual freedoms it is food for thought.

Recommended Reading Watching:

THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY: How Would You Evaluate Iran's Democracy Index in 1953 ?

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: IRI's Reign of Terror Begins (BBC Report 1979)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Man Chased by Anti Shah Protestors During Shah's US Visit (1977)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE:Chemical Weapons Attack On Kurds (1988)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: First Assassination Attempt on Shapour Bakhtiar (1980)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE:US Shoots Down Civilian Iran Air Flight 655 (1988)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE:Iraq Chemical Weapons used against Iran (1984)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: MKO Highjack Boeing 747 with 200 hostages (1983)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Vendetta Against Anglican Bishop in Iran (1980)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Man Arrested For Being a SAVAK Agent (1979)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Shah's Generals Executed and Imperial Army Disintegrated (1979)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Manoucher AZEMOUN at Revolutionary court (1979)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Amir Abbas Entezam Chained to Hospital Bed (1990's)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Hadi Ghaffari executioner of Amir Abbas Hoveyda (1979)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Pulitzer Prize Photo of Rebels Executed by Iran's Revolutionaries (1979)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Shah of Iran wounded after Assassination Attempt (1949)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Rafsanjani speaks to Press from Hospital (1980)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Ahmad Kasravi and secretary assassinated (1946)

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Prince Shahryar Shafiq (1945-1979)