THE BRIDGE #3 by thebridgejournal thebridgejournal

IRAN S

' FIRST INDEPENDENT JOURNAL IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES

By: Revolutionary Road Newsgroup Revolutionary Road Newsgroup

Interview with Parisa Nasrabadi, Leftist and several times imprisoned Student Activist

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER 2009

Not Even Nuclear Controversy Can Save The Islamic Republic ! Editor’s Note:

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Iranian Bloggers Awarded For “Brave” Election Coverage

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Iranians Take Risks to Upload Their Dissent Online

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>>NEWS<< 

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5 Year Sentences for Borhan Baghaie and Mehran Koosha, members “Freedom & Equality seeking Students”

fter a long silence the discussion over Iran’s atomic program is now hot. New facilities have been discovered in the mountains of Qom, or previously discovered facilities have now been revealed. Talks and negotiations are once again underway, together with the guesswork and predictions and anxieties. And of course as usual the headlines and debates have been assigned to the Islamic government’s nuclear conflict. Whenever the issue of Iran’s nuclear program becomes heated, the same questions parade before our eyes. Why is the controversy all about Iran’s nuclear program? What’s the reason for the nuclear controversy? How can both sides make apparently

valid claims? What truths lie behind the claims of the lens? What ambitions are the west pursuing? What ambitions are the Islamic Republic pursuing? How will this conflict conclude? What is the solution to the world’s nuclear problem in general and the real approach for preventing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear capability? These are basic important questions that in this publication, in statements and party resolutions or leaflets have been asked many times before. The answers to these questions, given that the basic factors remain unchanged, are ones that have also been given many times before.

questions. Issues relating to the polarization of global terrorism since the end of the Cold War and particularly after September 11. The problems of the West, particularly America on the one hand, who with the end of a bipolar world have landed on the table of the White House and its western allies, and become more cumbersome every day, and the problems of the Islamic movement. And on the other the Islamic Republic (a movement and particularly a government that once would not back down from becoming the only world after the Cold War, and even wanted to raise its flag in the White House itself, that today has Looking at the overall pic- transformed into a constant ture, Iran’s nuclear issue, one stuck with its governthe Islamic Republic’s ef- ment like a rotten carcass). fort to be capable, and the effort against this capabil- [Continued on pg 19] ity, is a template for answering more fundamental

The Nobel Peace Prize: Interpretations, Fantasies and Realities

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Iran Watching Protestors in Germany

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Aggravation of Poverty in Iran as Rial Rating Decreases: Outcomes of Subsidy Elimination

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ART MAGNET

Dr Maleki's Health Deteriorating In Evin Prison

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Jafar Panahi is Forbidden to Leave The Country

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Thank You U2!

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Political hiphop ZedBazi Rock Ballads TOP 10 (music) TOP 20 (movie) CANDY The Winner Stands Alone (2009)

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The Unjust Imprisonment of Kamiar and Arash Alaei

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Iran Gives British Museum 2-Month Deadline Over Cyrus Cylinder

e to the existence of similar publications by the same name and setting up and registering of the website, the journal's name has changed from 'The Street' to “THE BRIDGE”. “THE BRIDGE” welcomes contributions from talented writers, graphic designers, artists. Please contact us at: thebridgejournal@gmail.com

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Be the first to read “THE BRIDGE” . Join our mailing list to receive regular updates. Write to : thebridgejournal@gmail.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject box.

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‘Mourning Mothers Iran’ Stand with Activist Mothers Worldwide Pg 16

I, Hamed Rouhinejad, son of Mohammad Reza, sentenced to death, would like to tell you my story

Anyhow, our poverty and the hardships amed Rouhinejad is a we were facing as a working class famyoung prisoner who suffers ily and the huge expenses of my treatfrom Multiple Sclerosis ment as an MS patient compelled me to (MS). He was arrested on leave the country. I did not want to imbogus charges before the presidential pose on my family more than they were election. already facing.

difficult time of my detention was hearing mothers crying for their children, or the sobbing of fathers who could not hold their loved ones.

I only found out about the election one day after it was over. I had no idea what was going on outside prison. I knew I left Iran with hopes of going to the US nothing about the massive popular proor a European country, but unfortutests that had taken over the country. I nately ended up in Iraq. Human trafwas lured and taken to the trial of the fickers took all my money. I was depeople who had protested the election tained in Arbil for 4 months. After my results, without ever having anything to release I started working in a restaudo with it. I only went there because my rant day and night to make some interrogators had promised me to give money. Eventually my deteriorating MS back my life in return for my compliand the loneliness of exile forced me to ance. So I went to court and wrote on return to Iran. My return was compaper what they wanted me to and pletely legal and was in coordination claimed their words as my own actions. with the Intelligence Ministry. Today, as a political prisoner, I declare With the start of the post-election pro- Upon my return I went to the that I have never belonged to any polititests, he became part of a scenario writ- “Intelligence” officials and told them cal party or group. I have never had ten by the intelligence apparatus. He everything about my trip. After hearing anything to do with the elections. I deny was intimidated and lured into playing my story they said, “you have not com- ever having ties to the API (Anjoman the role of a rioter during the show tri- mitted any crime and are free to go Padeshi Iran). I deny all the charges als. His acting resulted in his death sen- back to university”. brought against me. tence. In a letter written to HRA, Rouhinejad explains how he had been de10 months later, on 4 May 2009, I was ceived and sacrificed in a pre-conceived arrested and detained until I could be Iran bails arrested reporter scenario. The following is his letter in used as a sacrifice in the election trials. its entirety. During my 40 day detention in a small I, Hamed Rouhinejad, son of cell in Ward 209 of Evin prison, the Mohammad Reza, sentenced to death by only thing that stopped my MS from District 28 of the Revolutionary Court, worsening was reading the Quran and would like to tell you about my life and Nahjolbalagheh and praying to God. my current situation. Despite all their prior promises, the officials threatened to torture and kill me I spent my childhood in the winding al- every day, as if leaving the country was leys of southern Tehran. We survived on a crime punishable by death. The presran freed a foreign reporter my father’s meager income. He worked sure was so intense that I lost feeling in on bail nearly four months affrom dawn until late at night. He al80 percent of the right side of my body. ter he was arrested following ways took the hardest jobs to put bread I was paralyzed and had lost sight in the country's disputed presion the table. I still remember how hard my right eye. With the help of God, I reit was for us to see his sad face. gained more feeling in my body, but my dential election. eye is still blurry and I cannot see my Newsweek's Maziar Bahari, who I can never forget growing up among surroundings clearly. has dual Iranian and Canadian nakids who all lived in poverty, but my tionality, was released after posting hardest memory is the memory of the In that time I begged my captors and bail of nearly £190,000. cracked hands of my mother, who wrote several letters to the warden and Mr Bahari, whose pregnant wife is washed everything in cold water with- the prison doctor to help me. Alas, not living in London, was among more out ever complaining about it. All she only did they not follow up on my rethan 100 prisoners put on mass cared about was making our lives eas- peated requests for medical attention, trial as part of the government's atier. She tried to make up for our poverty but they took me to the public trials, tempts to silence opposition proand social injustice with her love. I re- limping and in a miserable state. Demember the days I used to walk on the spite my emotional and physical state, I tests claiming President Mahmoud streets restlessly, looking for a gift to was not allowed prison visits or phone Ahmadinejad's June 12 re-election buy for my parents with the little money calls. My detention and mistreatment in was fraudulent. they had given me. Iraqi prisons did not even come close to what I experienced in Evin. The most

Basij and Police forces close down Technical College

nti-government slogans chanted by students at Tehran’s Azad University on Tusday turned into major clashes as Basij forces materialized, spreading through the campus chanting “The blood in our veins is a gift to our…” The 30-50 Basijis were outnumbered by some 200-300 student protestors, shouting “The blood in our veins is a gift to our people” with the Basisjis reply “The blood in our veins is a gift to our leader.” By around 2pm the police took over the University and with the help of university security and the Basij made the students leave. Afternoon classes were cancelled due to the strained atmosphere and the campus was overrun with police force, security and Basijis instead of students.

Dr Maleki's Health Deteriorating In Evin Prison The health of Dr Mohammad Maleki, 76, former chancellor of Tehran University, has deteriorated in the notorious Evin prison. At the time of his arrest on 22 August 2009, Dr Maleki was already in a difficult condition suffering from severe ailments. The appalling prison conditions and lack of proper medical attention coupled with his diabetes and heart problems have caused further health complications. Dr Maleki was a political prisoner during the Shah’s time, and later spent five years in the medieval dungeons of the mullahs after his arrest in July 1981. He refused to surrender to the mullahs and instead exposed their crimes.

Year Sentences for Borhan Baghaie and Mehran Koosha, members of student group “Freedon & Equality seeking”

Borhan Baghaie and Mehran Koosha, members of student movement “For Freedom and Equality” have been charged with acting against the regime and each sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Judge Tavoosi at Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad. They appeared at this court after several postponements without lawyer representation on1 September 2009.

It is imperative to know that Borhan Baghaie and Mehran Koosha were arrested by the Intelligence Ministry in the summer of 2008 at Mashhad. They were released on bail after one month of illegal im-

A significant issue is that the court was held at Branch 5 by Judge Tavoosi, while the case should have been heard at Branch 3 as all the summons and warnings were issued by this branch. According to the Freedom and Equality newsletter, these two supporters had received several warnings from the Intelligence Ministry following a ceremony at Tehran University on 13 November 2007 at Tehran University. On 29 Januar 2008 Mehran Koosha was summoned to the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad by telephone.

Minister of Cultural: Banning the Press is a Normal Process

he Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Iran, described the banning of press as normal. Syed Mohammad Hosseini in response to a question about the high volume of banned press in Iran stated: “The number is not significant, and just as many new liscences have been granted as those banned.”

Mr. Hosseini who was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Traffic and Press event added: “We hope our press friends obey the rules, so they can be treated fairly and with tolerance”. Based on this report, Soleiman Mohammadi from Farhikhteghan newspaper, while accepting his award from the Deputy of politically conscious NAJA, addressed the Minister of Culture and said: “The best gift to The Minister of Culture with rejournalists is to stop banning the gard to the banning of six newspa- press”. pers in his two months as minister stated: “Only three have been Reporters without Borders report banned due to previous issues, that at least 35 Iranian journalists while the concept of banning is have fled Iran in fear for their pretty normal”. lives.

ozens of Iranian Journalists have fled after the On Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders announced that at least 35 journalists have left Iran in fear for their and their families’ lives and that 24 journalists and bloggers are still in prison due to crisis post June elections. Reza Moini of the Paris based press freedom watchdog stated: “This is the largest migration of journalist’s since the revolution of 1979 (that brought the Islamic regime to power and put our heads under the snow) we must face lots of issues”. Moini estimates that the number of journalist fled from the time of Ahmadinejad’s speech after the 12 June election to be around 35 but says that the real figure could be up to 45. He said: “They all are accused of activities against national security, of participating in illegal demonstrations or writing propaganda articles against the Islamic regime.” Moini added that 19 journalists and five bloggers remain in custody.

Jafar Panahi is Forbidden to Leave The Country

ilm Director Jafar Panahi has been banned from leaving the country. On Wednesday night, Mr Panahi was on his way to Paris when his passport was taken away at Emam Khomeini Airport in Tehran. Mr Panahi was arrested during the post election upheaval with documentary makers Mahnaz Mohammadi and Rokhsare Ghaem Maghami. All three were arrested during the 40th day of mourning Neda Agha Soltan at Beheshte Zahra cemetery, which was also a tribute to others killed post June elections. Mr Panahi is due to travel to India in two weeks to attend a film festival in India as a member of the jury. He was recently Head Judge at the Montreal Film Festival.

The Revolutionary Movement of the Iranian people sparks New Wave of Art

American designer Timothy Rains, says “Since the moment they took to the streets, I’ve been influenced by the Iranian people. Because they knew that they were facing death and many problems. But I didn’t create anything

rotests against presidential elections results, the display of protester photos, Neda Agha Soltan’s murder in the media and social networking sites such as Twitter, has inspired dozens of non Iranian artists to create art in remembrance of Iran’s green movement, killed protestors and the slogan “Where is my Vote”.

until the death of Neda Agha Soltan. I had previously sketched many hearts and I added Red as a symbol of the pain and suffering of Neda to one of my works. I hope to travel to Iran one day and I believe that if the US pays the same attention they pay to Israel to other countries in the Middle East, many things can be done”. This American artist, drawing for the first time for a civil protest movement, calls the peacefulness of the green movement “extraordinary”. Francisco Pouroli, an Italian artist who for the first time has sketched a protest movement, talked to Radio Farda about what inspired him to create something related to the green movement: “I was home alone and drowned in Twitter when I received hundred tweets about Iran. That’s when this idea came t me. What is important about the green movement is that it was shaped directly within the young community, of women and internet users of Iran. Prior to the elections I was not familiar with Iran, but I feel that Iran is a place with incredible potential, but this potential can’t be used without freedom.”

James Young, a resident of New York who has received 200 awards for his works said: “I’ve been following Iran’s events since the Shah’s regime was overthrown. Iran is a mysterious land, because we really don’t know what happens in this country. I must add that American people felt the same way about Russia during Soviet Russia. I have always thought Iranian people are educated because their history”. Zina Saunders, another New York artist says since she saw a report about the Iranian protests on TV, she has begun drawing, “Prior to this I thought the people of Iran agree with the government of the country”.

>>Interview with Parisa Nasrabadi, Leftist and several times imprisoned Student Activist - conducted by Kristofer Lundberg (CWI in Sweden)

fter the presidential elections, the Iranian regime met with a mass movement that they did not expect. In this movement, the anger which has been bubbling for the last thirty years in Iran suddenly surfaced. The “reformist” wing of the regime, which ‘lost’ the election, was also taken by surprise by the emergence of this movement. They found themselves, unintentionally, as figureheads of a movement which they could not control.

spite the brutal repression. One thing is certain; they will never be able to turn back the clock to before the elections. The people have woken up.

Parisa is convinced that the working class in the near future will step forward on a massive scale. The recent oil workers’ strike has been one radicalizing factor. In Iran today, there is one strike Change for the future lies in the every five days. Parisa explains self-organization of the working that the working class will move class. Workers have participated into struggle because they are bein the mass movement, but not as ing hit not only by the state’s rean organized class. We try to pression, but also as a result of the make the working class play a big- economic crisis. She explains the ger role in the movement. There terrible situation facing workers. have been strikes and workers’

protests. However, these have taken the form of isolated actions in different workplaces. A united struggle is necessary. As workers in Iran have mostly had temporary jobs, they have not dared to go on strike in many cases. Now it is a As a result of the struggle, the totally different situation, where movement realized that it had to workers have not been paid for continue, and that Moussavi and several months, and therefore feel other “reformists” offered no solu- that they have no other choice but tion, but were being used as to fight. ‘symbols’ against the regime. The struggle in Iran today is at a sensi- Socialists are not alone in undertive stage. It has to take new steps standing that the working class are in order to move forward. The stu- the ones that have the power to dents today play an important role fundamentally change society. The in radicalizing the movement. The regime itself knows this, and this student movement has a radical is the basis for the brutal represtradition in Iran, and are one part sion it uses against struggling of the youth movement that has workers. Workers today lack a been the spearhead of the struggle class organization of their own. for women and other oppressed They have no mass party and no people’s rights. The majority of real trade unions. That is why the the Iranian population is under 30 movement has not advanced more. years old. That is why we students have put a lot of time into trying to make It is a dangerous situation for eve- connections between the workers rybody, but the struggle is a neces- and the students. The workers not sary one. An important difference only have to be integrated in the from before is that people have movement, they need to be at the lost their fear of the regime, deforefront of it.” 5

The struggle for democracy is a struggle for socialism. I do not believe that we can achieve democracy through the social democratic leaders or other reformists. They have nothing to offer in our struggle for freedom and social justice.” Parisa gives her view of the future, influenced by the Russian revolutionary Leo Trotsky’s theory of the permanent revolution. “The future of Iran is important for the Middle East as a whole. Iran is like an imperialist power in the region. They give their support to Islamic groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. But Iran will play a more important role in the future. The whole region would change if socialism was victorious in Iran. A victory would rapidly spread to other countries in the region. The Middle East will fundamentally change due to the events in Iran.”

The first people to hit the streets were the ‘middle class’. However, the protests grew quickly to include all layers of society. “Students, workers, women, the social movements, and LGBT campaigners became involved in the movement. A rapid radicalization developed, and the movement became much more than just a struggle against electoral fraud. It was a movement against the whole regime and its dictatorship. Moussavi and the “reformists” were caught up in the middle of the mass movement, and had no other choice but to follow it. But we socialists always distanced ourselves from them. They offer no alternative; they are a part of the regime. They have no solutions to the situation that workers, women, students and other oppressed people face. They have no alternative economic policies.

the propaganda war.

Parisa sees a new Iran and a new kind of organization. “The traditional Left is shattered and has made huge mistakes. The Stalinist Tudeh party supports Moussavi, and also Hezbollah and Hamas. They have ruined their connections with the people. Other groups are sectarian and are standing aside the movement, but they are totally isolated.” Parisa explains. “Among the youth, discussions are on a completely different platform. Socialist Students and the “Workers live in inhuman condi- youth we organize in the movetions. They face poverty, have bad ment, are not sectarian. Neither working conditions, need two or are we opportunists. We argue for three jobs and are still are not socialism, but do not give our supguaranteed their salary. The words port to any of the small parties in of Karl Marx have never been existence in Iran. Trotskyist ideas more true: ‘Workers have nothing have been popular in the universito loose but their chains’. ties and amongst study groups meeting in secret. The Iranian regime uses propaganda against western imperialism We state that what is necessary is to break down the movement. a Socialist mass party, a revoluHowever, the people see through tionary workers’ party. A progrestheir empty phrases. The ecosive party that has its roots in the nomic and political crisis of Iran working class, the student movehas reached the point were the re- ment and the social movements. gime’s propaganda no longer has This can only be built by socialists any effect. intervening in the movement and I have difficulty seeing how the US would succeed with an invasion in Iran. It would not be as easy as when they entered Afghanistan and Iraq. There are not the same conditions. The Iranian population has seen what it has meant for the people in these countries. Besides, there are a lot of double standards for both Iran and the West. They have trade relations with each other, but no one wants to mention this because of

giving guidance. Ultimately, it depends on the actions of the working class. Today, there are big opportunities for socialists to gain support. We want to build a mighty movement for a Socialist Iran linked to the struggle for Socialism internationally.

Iran Watching Protestors in Germany

24 year old commits suicide in iran prison

According to a recent report, a prisoner committed suicide in Ward 1 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj (west of Tehran), after inhumane pressure and treatment.

n Thursday, German television Embassy in Berlin has not answered jourreported that post election nalist requests for interviews. protesters in Germany are 125,000 Iranians reside in Germany. “under the watchful eye” of Islamic Republic officials.

Panorama, on Germany’s ARD channel reported Manfred Mork, Deputy Head of Constitution Protection of the State of Hamburg saying :“This organization has been notified of secret Iranian agents among the protestors in Germany. We have evidence that these agents film people and intend to identify them”. The program showed footage of people systematically filming protestors from different angles from outside the protestors’ circle and quoted the Iranian opposition and sources from the Iranian embassy. Ali Reza Sheikh Attar, the Islamic Republic’s Ambassador in Germany, in an interview with Panorama stated: “Iranian security services has other techniques to know what goes on around the world; therefore, they don’t need such people to spy for them”. The program also reported that “Islamic Republic agents are making threatening phone calls and have arrested those who’ve traveled to Iran to visit their families”. Rahim Torkashvand, an Iranian living in Germany, tearfully recounted his experience. Five years ago on a trip to Iran, he was arrested and under enormous pressure forced to accept the charge of spying for the Iranian government. Upon his return to Germany, he reported the incident to German law enforcers. His story is confirmed by Germany’s Judiciary.

Mothers Call for Release of Hikers Detained by Iran wo mothers of U.S. citizens detained in Iran for more than two months have called on Iranian authorities to release them.

On Thursday October 15, 2009, Reza Rezaee committed suicide. He was found by one of his inmates. They transferred Reza to the prison’s health section. Rezaee`s brother was executed in one of the mass-executions two months ago.

In an interview with VOA Persian News Network, the mothers apologized that their children, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, along with Joshua Fattal, crossed into Iran in late July while hiking in northern Iraq's Kurdistan region. The three were then detained.

The suicide rate at Gohardasht Prison’s Ward 1 is very high, mainly due to the high amount of physical and psychological torture, savage treatment, and inhumane living conditions. This ward is nicknamed, “The Ending Ward.”

Sheikh Attar refutes this statement: “We have not sent any letters”. The Iranian 6

The average age of those who commit suicide at the prison is between 18-38 years old. Activists for Human Rights and Democracy in

The mothers said the hikers did not intend Iran (AHRDI) condemn the savage and inhuto enter Iran, saying they strayed into the mane pressure placed on prisoners that result country at an unmarked border crossing. in suicides. AHRDI asks the UN CommisShane Bauer's mother Cindy Hickey said she is anxious to see Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, follow through on his remarks that he would ask Iran's courts to expedite the case and look at it with "maximum leniency." Sarah Shourd's mother Nora Shourd asked Iranian officials to consider the three detained Americans "good people in the world," and to give them "compassion and consideration."

The three U.S. hikers were visited by the In another part of the program, Sara Swiss ambassador to Iran late last month Dehkardi, daughter of Noori Dehkardi, but have not had contact with their famione of the four political opposition activ- lies. ists assassiated in Berlin’s Mykonos restaurant on 17 September 1992 said: “In Switzerland represents U.S. interests in the last three months I have received Tehran because the United States has no around 65 suspicious and threatening formal diplomatic relations with Iran. phone calls”. According to Mrs. Dehkardi who has been an active protestor, the caller says “We know you all and have your telephone numbers”. Panorama reported the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs revelation that: “The Iranian government has repeatedly asked this ministry to limit Iranians living in Germany in expressing their opinions freely.” Letters and evidence documented by the Foreign Ministry were also shown.

The prisoner was 24 year old Reza Rezaee. He had spent over four years in prison. He was only one month away from being released when he committed suicide. The savage treatment he received (other prisoners continue to receive this treatment) made life in prison unbearable for this young man.

sioner for Human Rights to send a committee to Iranian prisons to monitor what is happening. http://persian2english.wordpress.com/

Haft Tapeh executive committee members sentenced

he Appeals Court of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ahvaz has issued prison sentences for the labour activists and executive committee members of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company’s trade union. Ali Nejati, Haft Tapeh trade union President, and three other executive committee members, Fereydoon Nikoofard, Ramezan Alipoor and Jalil Ahmadian, have each been handed down a six months’ custodial sentence as well as a six months’ suspended sentence. Mohammad Heydari Mehr, another executive committee member, has been sentenced to four months in prison together with another eight months suspended. These sentences now have the formal approval of the Appeals Court of Ahvaz. In a separate trial in Dezful, Ali Nejati and Reza Rakhshan appeared before the Revolutionary Court of Dezful. This court will sentence them at later date.

Tehran's Azad University Rises Against Iran's Coup Government By: Samnak Aqaie

engage in pro Mousavi and Karoubi chants when over 20 of other students n the third week of the new who had taken part in the post-election academic year in Iran, thou- protests against the coup government sands of students from the were called in by the university security main campus of Azad Univer- office and the president of the institution. sity in Tehran held several peaceful dem- Students also protested the heavy presonstrations protesting the coup governence of security and plainclothes agents ment of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In the on campuses this year following the masdemonstrations that were attacked by sive post-election protests. Basiji and plain-clothes agents, students changed anti-government slogans protesting the conditions prevalent in the country and in the universities, while also insisting on their support of MirHossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi.

Since the demonstrations, the streets leading up to the main campus were taken over by security agents and many students were denied entry into the main campus and its buildings. This new crackdown and suppressive atmosphere came about when last Tuesday some two thousand students held a demonstration which was disrupted by force by Basiji and plain clothes security agents leading to violence. At least 10 students were reported to have been injured in the clashes and some sources reported that at least one student had been detained and taken away to the small office belonging to the representative of Iran's supreme leader on the campus. From the reports on these incidents, it appears that students began to protest and

Held on an Expired Detention Order. Hossein Derakhshanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Story The blogger, Hossein Derakhshan, whose temporary detention order expired on October 10th 2009, is still detained in Evin. â&#x20AC;¨HRA (Human Rights Activists in Iran) has received reports that indicate the blogger, Hossein Derakhshan, arrested on November 2nd 2008, spent the first eight months of his detention in solitary confinement and different wards of the Evin prison upon his return to Iran. During that time he has been subjected to various physical and psychological pressure tactics and multiple transfers. He has been beaten repeatedly and forced to do squats in cold showers. His interrogators have also threatened to arrest his father and his sister unless he con7

and chanted anti government slogans, and also those against the conditions at the country's universities. They also thanked the leader of the Etemad Melli party led by its leader Mehdi Karoubi for his exposes of the recent crimes, particularly the rapes committed at Kahrizak detention center. As students continued their calls, security agents first shut the gates of the campus on the pretext that students wanted to go out and continue their protests in the streets of the city, and then used tear gas on the students. Before dispersing, these students called on the students across the country to remain active to prevent the imposed security atmosphere on some campuses to expand to all universities.

Following these clashes, reformist leaders have raised a question at the national level that why are Basij university students allowed to bring in tear On the second gathering that began on and peppermint gas to university camMonday Azad University students called puses. These sources also said that the for the release of Dr Fiaz Zahedi, a uni- recent attacks on students was the result versity professor who has been in deten- of the announcement by the head of the tion since September 16, 2009. Students Pasdaran Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) also vowed to hold more rallies if their that Basij did not need to wait for orders calls were not met. from its superiors to confront student protests. On Tuesday, the two thousand students who had gathered at Azad were immedi- Following the post election protests, senately surrounded by Basij and plain ior military leaders supporting Ahmadiclothes security agents who used tear gas nejad, which includes the IRGC, Basij and pepper mint gas to disperse them. and even the police, have repeatedly These students held placards and posters threatened students with violent response of the leaders of Iran's Green Movement should they hold any protests. fessions had come under pressure. According to the reports received by HRA, Derakhshan had agreed to televised confessions under pressure, but the matter was canceled after one recording. With the start of the massive arrests after the presidential election, and as result of cell shortages in Evin prison, Derakhshan was transferred to Ward 2A of the IRGC prison, where he shared his cell with newly arrested people. â&#x20AC;¨Derakhshan has been given false promises regarding his release on several occasions including Fajr celebrations and Norooz. Despite such promises he is still being held on a temporary detention order. His detention order has been renewed several times, the last of which expired fesses to espionage charges. on October 10th, 2009. Derakhshan reportedly intended to start a hunger strike if his situation Last September he was taken to court to sign remained unchanged after this date. HRA has documents granting permission to his lawyer to no information as to whether he has started the represent him. He told the judge that all his con- hunger strike.

>>>The Nobel Peace Prize: Interpretations, Fantasies and Realities

arack Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award of the Nobel Peace Prize raised different reactions and evaluations worldwide, especially from different levels of Iranian opposition. What are the interpretations, facts and fantasies? How can one evaluate these assessments? What are the objectives and principles of the Nobel Peace Committee's efforts? Finally, what are the conditions for real and lasting peace? In America, the ultra rightbourgeois wing consider this measure a sign of advancing policies that move the middle ruling class in this country worldwide and a step in strengthening this policy. It is enough to deal with this action and show power. Obama is accused of "failure" in the "war against terror" in neoconservative' circles, causing irreparable damage to the "peace" process and impacting America in the fight with "Islamic terrorismâ&#x20AC;?. The demand to utilize the American giant military exists in every corner of the world. There was another theme of reactions in the left-wing ruling class. Many believed Obama was not deserving of this prize. Furthermore, they believe that this choice by the Nobel prize Committee is due a fall in standards and a snap selection. They claim that Obama has not yet fulfilled his promises. There are much greater expectations of this committee.

the Islamic regime, in a military confrontation, will lose control of events. Furthermore they wish to maintain the Islamic system and its equilibrium. Their issue is Ahmadinejad's government. They welcome any transactions and dealings that may occur between the west and the Islamic regime. Calming the tension is one the fundamental pillars of the 2 Khordad general policy of this group. At the same time , they want western governments to exert pressure on the ruling faction within the Islamic regime. They emphasize the fact that Obama in

talks with the Islamic regime, should not ignore the "Human Rights" issue.

Reactions from the leftist populist forces is more or less closer to one of the two currents, with the added attitude that the more the matters get a "Leftist" and However, in the ranks of the right "Radical" shape, the expectations wing pro-west opposition and the from the Nobel Peace Prize Comtrends of the National Islamic of mittee will also become more Iran, the reactions are more or less "Radical". Some have even alidentical. The pro-west right wing ready considered the list of people currents have in essence similari- who are "qualified" to receive the ties to the American ultra right Nobel Peace Prize! wing. An important pillar of their political strategy against the IsPrior to any judgement and lamic regime is based on the con- evaluation, it is necessary to obflict between the two terrorist serve the objectives of the Noble poles of the contemporary Peace Prize Committee. The Noworld. The military intervention ble Peace Prize Committee is an and complete economical sancintellectual and political entity tions towards Iran is part of their dominated by Capitalism. The political strategy. On execution of the policy of the the other hand, National Isdominating class is the basis for lamic currents also rejoice in the selection of the candidates by these measures. They consider this intellectual entity. Not only this fact as a step towards achiev- are the candidates in political and ing an equilibrium in the conflict literary fields chosen according to and confrontation against the Is- political objectives, but the candilamic regime and international dates in science are also favored policies. They know that by this selection process. The No8

bel Peace Prize is a Bourgeois or- factors that qualified Obama for ganization. They are subjective the Nobel Peace Prize. and by no means objective! The prizes of this committee beLets take a look at the list of the long to those who flag the general Nobel Peace Prize Laureates policies and objective of this infrom Franklin Roosevelt to ternational trend. The winners of Jimmy Carter, De Clerk the Nobel Peace Prize are not the (President of the SA apartheid leaders and figures emerging from government), Lech Walsa , Yasser the Labor, Liberty and Equality Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, Nelson movement. They are not those Mandela, Shirin Ebadi, all the who struggle for endless way to Barack Obama. There is a peace. The Noble Committee is a common perspective that they all private political club belonging to share. They are all figures who the ruling class who praise and have put in efforts towards reduc- recognize their kind. Any expecing conflicts within the ruling tations from this in terms of opposing values and factors are indicators of poisonous presumptions in this analysis and the general ruling policy of these organizations. Yet, the analysis of these currents without the evaluation of their "peaceful" objectives is incomplete. The fact is that true, constant and endless peace is subject to ending the everlasting war in the contemporary world i.e. the war between social classes, the war between the two main social classes being the workers class and the capitalists. The Nobel Peace Prize Committee struggles in order to achieve "peace" between rival capitalist factions to obtain more power. However, true peace lies in the condition of class and rival groups. Achieving ending the war between the conan adjustment of internal conflicts temporary classes. within the ruling class is their This war's main issue is to end thought process. Why Barack Obama? The selection o f Barack Obama should be analyzed within the framework of calming the tensions between the two terrorist poles. After the September 11 attack, the world entered a new phase of deadly conflict between these terrorist poles. Wars, massacres and terror attacks in this period have made the latter become the darkest period of contemporary history. Failure in state terrorism policies in the last decade have caused part of the ruling class to change their strategies in order to achieve the same objectives. Negotiations are the other side of militarism. The general strategy however is constant and unchangeable, only daily methodologies and policies have changed. Obama is where these two efforts cross. His policies based on dialogues and negotiations with Islamic politics, in recognition of this force as a regional power and creation of equilibrium between the two poles are among

the exploitation and suffering of workers resulting from contemporary Capitalism. One of the targets of this war is to eliminate the wage work and the gap between the classes. True worldwide peace is subject to ending the rule of capitalism over laborious human lifestyles. Everlasting peace is subject to destruction of the giant military schemes and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Peace for humanity is based on the ending of the inequalities and disparities of the contemporary world. As long as Capitalism rules the world and as long as the majority of human beings are forced to sell manpower to provide for vital daily needs, this war will continue!

Aggravation of Poverty in Iran as Rial Rating Decreases: Outcomes of Subsidy Elimination will increase the inflation rate by 10 to15 percent, however Parliament claims that ased on recent reports of the by implementing some compensating Central Bank, over the past 37 methods, the burden can be somewhat years Iran's liquidity has indiminished for the low-income commucreased by 6424 times, and nity. the index of inflation during this period has seen a 464 time increase. The dePresident of the Economic Commission crease in the value of Rials has been the Gholamreza Mesbahi Moghadam stated: most true inflation index of the same pe- “Simultaneous to the process of subsidy elimination, each household of five will riod. receive 110,000 Tomans in cash assisThis means the purchasing power of a tance to help with inflation.” One Thousand Toman bill which for the first time was released in 1350, was in Massoud Myrkazmy, the Islamic Repub1387 equivalent to 21 Rials, said to be lic’s Minister of Oil who is in support of it's true value in 1350. In other words, the the bill stated that in reality eliminating purchasing power of 1,000 Tomans in the gasoline' subsidy by 11 percent based on the current rate of inflation, would 1387 is equivalent to 21 Rials in 1350. add to the production rate by 8 percent However the average salary of an emand between 10 and 11 percent to the ployee which in 1350 was equivalent to government's current costs. 750 to 1000 Tomans - to maintain its purchasing power - should have increased Before Parliament's hardliners including by 464 times. In other words money that Ali Larijani, had even opposed the so represented buying power in 1350 should called cash assistance idea for compenhave the potential value equivalent to sating households, arguing that the execution of this bill is bound to first in464 Thousand Tomans today. crease the rate of inflation by 60 percent A large 1000 Toman bill, which today and a second cash payment of 20 thouonly equals to 2 Toman in 1350 not only sand per month to low income housereduces the value of the national curholds is the equivalent of increasing lirency, but based on expert opinion shows quidity by 80 percent, especially with rethe necessity of a reduction of three zeros spect to Article 13 of this bill, “increase from the national currency to strengthen wages for all legislation employees of its position. higher wages and workers of the country”, will be forced to end from the time The reduced value of a national currency of enforcement. is a reflection of extreme inflation, that Iran's economy has been facing over the With the introduction of the Elimination last three decades; Iran after the Revoluof Subsides Bill in Parliament ten months tion experienced a 50 percent inflation in ago, president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the last four years has been faced with a stressed "Reduced prices, particularly the whopping 20 percent increase in inflation price of oil has given us the opportunity which according to International Moneto run the project and encouraged the tary Fund's predictions is to continue in Government to present it to Parliament”. its ascending course over the next year. With these words the President of Iran This is not the first time the removal by would implicitly acknowledge that first necessity of three zeros from the national of all with the significant decrease in oil currency will be considered by Iranian prices Government does not have the experts. But this time, regulating this ability to pay 110 billion Tomans in variplan for the second time will occur with ous subsidies and secondly, if the subsithe approval of the General Assembly. dies are not removed today, perhaps there An assembly bill to eliminate subsidies is is not much time for this project to be not irrelevant but it raises a concern that achieved. the most immediate consequence of the implementation will be a leaping increase Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after passing the in inflation and therefore further reduc- bill to eliminate subsidies, reinstated his tion in value of the national currency. recent message. He said: “Continuing the existing process is impossible and we Iran's Economic Commission has anticiwill not even be able to continue the pated that the implementation of an funding for four years. We may reach a elimination of subsidies bill, at minimum By: Naser Etemadi

deadlock soon.1 million 650 thousand barrels of oil and gas together, the equivalent of 4 million 200 thousand barrels of energy are being distributed daily around the country at the subsided price." And this oil production considering that Iran's output fell to the level of 1347 is not sustainable. Tabnak, a news agency close to the Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezai, recently announced that the electricity company is now under the Department of Energy and that even before the passing of the subsidies bill had silently removed government subsidy payments for customers and has been receiving the full price of electricity from customers. Experts believe that the size of the subsidies is so widespread that the outcome cannot be accurately predicted. Because, it will not only cover existing subsides, but most production and especially those of government or the public network such that removal not only affects consumption, but also the country’s production. Even if officials do not acknowledge it explicitly, the main reason for removing subsidies, especially fuel subsidies to also reduce fuel production and oil prices, comes from having insufficient oil revenues to cover the extreme costs of the state’s economy that itself is a major obstacle on establishing a truly free economy. So far with the help of subsides the government has been selling each barrel to the people for the price of 5 Dollars. If they eliminate subsidies and sell each barrel of oil at its real price – for example 60 Dollars per barrel by default, inevitably two questions must be addressed: 1) whether the workmen of Iran get paid based on international market wages to be able to tolerate this inflation. And 2) how do they propose to get the extra 55 Dollars a barrel from the people and do they have a plan to prevent further problems which might occur with these changes? What is clear is that the government – in the widest sense of the term – not only averts from elimination of subsidies, but this plan, by further reducing the value of the currency will deeply affect the widespread low income groups and bestow more poverty upon them.

The Unjust Imprisonment of Kamiar and Arash Alaei By: Hossein Sohrevardi

his article or letter, what have you, is a document written to shed some light about the personalities of Arash and Kamiar Alaei, their work, and the events surrounding their arrest in June of 2008. On December 31st, 2008 Kamiar and Arash were charged with conspiracy to overthrow the Iranian government by way of a "velvet revolution" under article 508 of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Penal Code. I fear that this comes as too little too late, but I trust that justice will prevail in the end. Everything I have written is either from my own direct encounters with Arash and Kamiar or narrations recounted to me by our mutual friends. For objectivities sake I have noted which stories are my own and which are not. My relationship with Kamiar Alaei began over two years ago in a series of emails and telephone conversations. Kamiar was then a student at Harvard University's School of Public Health, having completed his medical education in Iran many years before. For several years he and his brother Arash had been organizing summer public health research expeditions to Iran for US students. It was a student exchange program of sorts aimed at increasing awareness about the epidemiological problems and the work being done in Iran, to establish academic and research ties between Iran and the West as well as to spread goodwill between the two, and also to train young future professionals. In the summer of 2007 they were planning on hosting a group again, this time under the umbrella of unofficial organization called REACH. With my Masters program coming to an end, a dear friend and mentor of mine forwarded me an article about the REACH Program and the Alaeis. Ironically, she did not know how close she had actually come to meeting them for she had attended the 2006 World AIDS Conference in Toronto just as they had. By then Kamiar and Arash were emerging as the faces of the war on HIV/AIDS and substance abuse in Iran; two in a long list of many working in this field. Along with many other physicians they coauthored "Iran's National and International Strategic Plans for the Control of HIV/IDU/ TB" as well as helping institute the Triangular clinic model of combating HIV, STDs, and substance abuse. He and his brother were an accomplished physician tag team duo, Arash having completed a year of health management studies as an AIDS fellow in the US courtesy of funding from the Ford Foundation and Kamiar pursuing his Masters in Public Health, although I knew none of this then.

about actually making the trip to Iran when Kamiar called. I was at a junction in my life. I knew that I wanted to study to become a doctor but at the same time, since moving to the US at the age of two, I had never had the opportunity to truly experience the land of my birth. My first trip back to Iran was in 2002 and in every trip back I felt like a tourist. I was indecisive. Gradually, Kamiar convinced me that there was indeed a way to have "khoda and khorma" (both) as the Persian saying goes. Kamiar even secured funding for my travel costs from an anonymous donor to whom I will be forever thankful and indebted to for the journey of my life. Little did I know that six months later those phone conversations and emails between Kamiar and I would pick up right where they left off, but for the moment I was packing my bags and travelling to Iran. A group of nine other students and I made the twenty plus hour airborne trek that summer. I was the last to get there, arriving in late July. In Iran I met up with the rest of the US students. Arash introduced us to a number of native Iranian students. These were Arash's friends, all in college majoring in everything from medicine, to dentistry, to management. They had a passion to serve their people and country but also a thirst to experience the greater world beyond Iran. We formed bonds of friends, bound by the most altruistic of values, the desire to learn and serve, and Kamiar and Arash were the glue. If you are familiar with Muslim history then you know about the story of the Ansar (Friends or Helpers) in Madineh who served as aids and kinsman to the Muhajerin (the Emigrants) from Mecca who were new and unfamiliar to the Ansar's land. Such was our friendship. They befriended us making our transition easier and aiding us in joint research ventures. How sad that after the imprisonment of Kamiar and Arash they too became martyrs, enduring fear and hardship. In the late Fall of'08/Winter of '09 several of our Iranian friends were taken by Iranian intelligence agents for interrogation, students, mere kids whose only crime had been volunteering in drug rehab clinics, conducting surveys, hosting foreign students, and wanting to help their country.

Anyway, in the spring of 2007, REACH served as my introduction to Kamiar. Around graduation I was still having doubts Back to Iran, throughout the summer of 2007 we had weekly meetings, Arash, the 10

Iranian students, and the US students. Our gather place was the "ghahve khaneye Niavaran" (the Niavaran Coffee shop) and we would sit and discuss everything from the progress of our research, to brainstorming ideas about the future of our movement, to what hang out joints or restaurant we would hit up next. I say movement because like all young idealists we wanted to change the world and the direction we wanted to take was that of student exchange. Our goal was to start up an NGO that we would later call SAHAR (The Student Alliance for Health Advocacy and Research), but that comes later. In August and September, I accompanied Arash on his regular visits to Khaneyeh Khorshid. Arash's frankness had a tendency of getting him into trouble and I don't doubt that it had a role in his final imprisonment. Earlier that year, Iran announced that it had developed a new herbal HIV drug, IMOD (Immuno-Modulator Drug). It was touted as a breakthrough cure, a drug that could weaken the virus and strengthen the immune system, but Arash believed otherwise. Somehow, for some reason, valid I am sure, he believed IMOD was worthless. I never talked to him about it, but a friend informed me that at one time his visits to Khaneyeh Khorshid had not been so frequent. Arash had been a faculty member at Shahid Beheshti Unversity of Medical Sciences; that is until he wrote an article denouncing IMOD. The article wound him in court accused of libel, finally costing him his position. Just as a side note we see that today there is not a word about IMOD in HIV/AIDS arena. In fact I haven't seen any mention of the word IMOD for over a year. So here he was, traveling to Shush everyday to attend to his female patients. Khaneyeh Khorshid is a one of its kind Drug rehab Drop in Center (DIC), a woman exclusive center dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation substance abusers. This is a place where homeless women can seek refuge from the hardships of poverty, joblessness, and lack of support if only for a short while. Arash worked without pay. He went to Khaneyeh Khorshid every morning to see patients, playing with their beautiful children. He is a kind soul who would lift the spirits of the clinic upon entering, joking with the clinic staff in his Kermanshah accent. Not once did he complain about his own circumstances, and if he did complain it was about issues in society that only his anthropological eye could pick up on. He complained for the sake of his people not for the sake of complaining but for the sake of finding solutions for his patients. Otherwise Arash always joked and kept a light spirit.

[Continued on pg 11]

From pg 10(The Unjust Imprisonment of

minute call per day," he explained, pausing before turning to me with a grin, "But you know these guys just won't give up. Arash I remember one morning we were driving to called asking for the deputy director. He Shush and he started telling a story. Natusaid he has been collecting some data that he rally, Arash had many stories. He recounted wants to talk about." how one day back during his instructing days, he was trying to explain the meaning Are these the actions of traitors? of the Hippocratic Oath to his medical students. "The oath obliges you to treat any and I met Kamiar in person just before leaving Iran in January of 2008. He had come to every patient, regardless of who it is. visit his family, flying back with Arash after Whether the patient is Saddam Hussein or Ayatollah Khamenei, your duty is to treat," having attended conferences such as the Aspen Health Institute during the Fall of 2007 he told them quite innocently, but to make and conducting interviews and presentations such an ambiguous public statement referring to Saddam and Ayatollah Khamenei in about Iran and HIV/AIDS awareness. He the same sentence, without making apparent was not at all like I expected, similar yet simultaneously very different from Arash, a whether used as comparison or contrast is tantamount to asking for trouble. Such frank quieter, more thoughtful, and tamer version I want to say. It matched the soft spoken slips were not uncommon from Arash. I boyish voice that I had first heard when talkthink it was the same day that on our way ing to him over the phone eight months earKamiar and Arash Alaei )...

back from Shush we stopped off at the Velenjak gas station off the Chamran freeway. He gassed up and returned to the car, and we started talking about Evin prison not far away. "If I ever get thrown in jail it will be a good opportunity to write my autobiography. Maybe I can get a couple of chapters in before getting out." Then he continued more seriously, "But really, there are a lot of things I could do in there."

lier. I met the brothers at Atieh Hospital. Arash had recently started working there, and I went to report my work and bid them farewell. It was the last time I would see either brother in person.

My conversations with Kamiar, however, did not end by any means. After returning we talked and talked often, not just the two of us but five of the other US Students who I had met in Iran the prior summer. All throughout the Winter and Spring of '08 we I have tearfully thought about those words time and time again over the course of this had biweekly meetings to discuss our brain past year. He had called it even if in joking. child, SAHAR. The US students, like me, were of Iranian descent raised in the US but I didn't know what prison work he was recarrying a passion for their country of ancesferring to until this past summer when I try. Each of us had had a memorable, life made my first trip back since January of 2008. A friend told me that after the first six changing experience in Iran. We had travmonths of solitary confinement Kamiar and elled to our motherlands for the first time not as tourists but as individuals trying to Arash were moved into the general prison contribute to society. Our goal with SAHAR population. She continued that since the move the two brothers have started Anti To- was to create an organization that would bacco and drug rehab programs in Evin. An- provide other young Iranian Americans the opportunity to do the same. Kamiar used to other one of my friends employed in a Tesay that all that Iranians who travel back to hran hospital told me in July that not long Iran ever do is put on "lebasse polo before Arash had called the hospital. khori" (their party suits) and go from one relatives house to the next, doing what Irani"He actually called," I asked, "but how?" ans do best, filling their stomachs. SAHAR "Apparently, he and Kamiar get one five was supposed to be an opportunity for avid 11

young Iranian Americans to really experience Iran, with all of its beauties and problems. But not only Iranian Americans, we wanted to help send non-Iranians there to see the real faces of Iran, its land and people, free of all the politics and rhetoric. We still believe that engagement through people to people dialogue and scientific collaboration is the best deterrent to foreign intervention in Iran besides being comprehensively beneficial. We love our motherland that is Iran and we care for deeply for the people. The last thing any of us want is for the US to attack it. Similarly we have affection for the goodness of the people and the land that we have assimilated into and do not want to see it enter into another dead end war. I ask again, does this sound like the work of conspirators to a velvet revolution? These were our stated goals and at every turn we were completely transparent.

We worked hard and despite the short notice over thirty people applied to the SAHAR Program. After accepting eighteen, Kamiar and Arash worked on finding each of them mentors and collaborating research facilities in Iran. Private hospitals, national research centers, you name it; they had friends and connections everywhere. We had a policy of transparency and complete disclosure. We didn't want SAHAR and our work to be interpreted as anything but for what it was, goodwill, and really we had nothing to hide. I contacted the Iranians Interests Section in DC and informed them of SAHAR and our exchange program. I explained that our students would be working through official ties and that the goal was education and research. I sent copies of our proposal, mission statement, and vision. I talked to them about a couple of our applicants who were having difficulty obtaining travel documents. Throughout the conversations they were very kind; upon request I even provided them the names of all the students involved in organizing and planning to travel to Iran on behalf of SAHAR.

[continued on pg16]

By: Bahram Rahmani

severe crimes such as crimes against humanity and genocide. Fortunately today in more than two-third of UN member counOctober, 18 Mehr in the Iranian tries (130) the death penalty has been abolcalendar, is International Day ished. But in 62 UN member countries the Against the Death Penalty. The death pen- death penalty is still used. alty is a pre-planned crime by the regime against its political opponents. Regimes It’s been five years since 10 October was that perform this penalty are among the determined as International Day Against world’s criminal regimes, that don’t recog- the Death Penalty. Each year on this day nize human existence and dignity. Since meetings and conventions take place execution is not only about its victims but around the world with the purpose of aboldemonstrates disrespect towards all human ishing execution. This year also demonstrabeings, the fight against it must not be lim- tions and various efforts took place in

the Islamic regime.

Amnesty International has announced and published recent records showing a tremendous increase in the number of executions in Iran post June 2009 presidential elections and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s inauguration. In this declaration published on Friday 7 August 2009, Irene Khan, Secretary General of International Amnesty stated: “In only the past 50 days 115 people have been executed in Iran, an average of two people per day.” adding “This process compared to the high number of usual exe-

October 10th, The Fight Against Execution ited to the country where the death penalty takes place. To stop the death penalty a powerful international campaign must be mobilized. These campaigns should not be limited to one day only, but must remain alive and active in the fight against regimes that practice execution.

cutions in Iran is a lot higher”. According to this declaration by Amnesty International at least 196 executions have occurred since the election, placing Iran in second place after China as the country with the highest number of executions of its own people .

Thousands of years on execution still occurs as a form of punishment around the world. Historically this type of punishment always replicates because of revenge, political strength and power. With the advent of the period of enlightenment in Europe, intellectual humanitarians questioned the pre-meditated murder of human beings by governments and people in power. Marx, the founder of scientific socialism was strongly opposed to capital punishment. At the beginning of twentieth century, only three states removed the death penalty from its penal laws.

Irene Khan emphasized: “The violent repression of protestors against election results has compounded the violations of human rights in Iran. Amnesty International believes that the real number of executions in Iran is certainly more than the numbers announced by officials. The Iranian government has not published the name of all those who were executed. For instance the identity of 24 people who were executed on 5 August at Rajaee city prison has not been announced. Indicating to the demand by the vast majority of United Nations General Assembly country members, to halt the death penalty Irene Khan has asked Iranian authorities to obey their international obligations relating to human rights.

The Declaration of Human Rights was passed by the UN General Assembly in December 1948. This declaration was a reaction against the brutality and terror against humanity performed by Germany and its allies during Word War II. In this declaration life is a respected right for every human being. This international agreement has also prohibited torture, “brutal, inhuman and contempt behaviors”. The international amnesty believes the death penalty is in violation of this declaration. International and regional agreements also support the removal of death penalty. For example Protocol No.13 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which was enacted in the beginning of June 2003, is the first international agreement that prohibits the death penalty. According to this protocol, issuing death sentences for crimes committed during war or when there is a risk of war is forbidden. In addition, according to an article of the International Supreme Court Association, passed in 1998, the death penalty has been removed from decreed punishment of this court, even thought the activities of this court relate to 12

many countries to eliminate the death penalty. Iran is among four countries with the highest record of executions and the only country in the world that executes juveniles and the only country that executes in public. International human rights institutions and organizations, democratic organizations, and Iranian political parties outside of Iran and in general those against death penalty, condemned Iran at their meetings and conventions and insisted on the abolishment of execution in this country. It is worth noting that western democratic governments that introduce themselves as human rights defenders, while in their negotiations and business meeting with the Islamic regime, forget about human rights violations in Iran and especially avoid discussing the extensive use of the death penalty in this country. On this basis, it is essential that political parties, democratic organizations and human rights defenders of western countries put more pressure on their states and insist on political boycott of

Perhaps in the short term execution deters government opponents or intimidates some and forces others to retreat, but certainly the long-term result will not be the same, but will display the brutality and barbaric face of the Islamic regime that insists on repression, torture and execution. Even the execution of offenders is not a true fight against criminals, but a fight against the disabled. In a country where wages are low and poverty, inflation, unemployment, drug addiction, divorce, prostitution, suicide, selling organs and so on, is so prevalent, everyday the number of criminals increases. Physical termination of these victims will not have a major impact on reducing crime statistics. Today, the important and public demands of the Iranian people are freedom of all political prisoners and the stopping of any mental or physical torture, executions and stoning.

The World is my Home The 9th International Exile Film Festival

he 9th International Film Festival will be held during the week of October 23rd to the 29th of 2009 in Gothenburg Sweden. A festival committee will present a program that closely adheres to the Festival’s fundamental goals and objectives. The key objectives are as follows:

23 - 29 Oct 2009

such issues in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, and Ghaza are emphasized.

Gothenburg Sweden

nian underground film movement.

A committee with members from SwedSpecial Programs _ Children without ish art and cultural organizations will evaluate works admitted into the Festival residency permits This program focuses on films about chil- and will nominate two filmmaker or prodren and young refugees waiting for resi- duction group, whose works fulfill the criteria mentioned above to receive a dency permits. cash support of $1000 each. _ To present and acknowledge exiled and Special Programs _ Women filmmakers in exile Side-Programs _ Another View immigrant film makers, regardless of This is a special program for films made In this section we will present films made their racial, by non-exiled filmmakers that center on religious, cultural, and geographical af- by exiled female filmmakers. The program exhibits unique perspectives immigrants and exiles, in an attempt to filiations. _ To present and acknowledge film mak- of female filmmakers and sheds light on present an outsider’s perspective of oppressive governments. ers outside of the above mentioned cate- their anxieties. gory that Side-Programs _ Odyssey of Cinema document through film the lives of im- Special Programs _ Iran’s underground cinema Freedom Odyssey migrants, exiles, issues that address deThe Exile film festival takes the initiative The Freedom Odyssey is a free film promocracy, and to present and simultaneously recognize gram about peoples' movements towards the pursuit of social justice. _ To bring awareness to forced migration Iran’s new underground film movement the globalization of social justice and dethrough a screening of a series of selected mocracy. as result of tyrannical dictatorships. films. These films are based on a freedom _ To promote democracy, freedom of speech and thoughts, as well as revealing of thought that challenges the dominant Eventth political, social, cultural and artistic val- The 9 Festival will be comprised of censorship various film presentations, debate panels, ues governing Iran. Consequently they and inquisition. speeches and art-galleries. _ To instill peace and strengthen coopera- serve to contest these values. tion among multi-racial and religious These works should be made independ- Application Criteria populations. ently and be unaffiliated with the state or _ The International Exile Film Festival is a non-competitive film festival. The Festival committee accepts films for any institutions governed by the state. _ Only submissions by exiled and immiThey must be free from state control or the following programs and invites all control by other parallel non-state organi- grant film makers will be considered for filmmakers whose the main program works exhibit some or all of the criteria zations. The films should be produced through self-sustaining technical facilities (Exile, a Global Experience). aforementioned to participate. _ In the special programs (Focal Points, Children without residency permits) and Side-Programs (Another View, Odyssey of Cinema Freedom’s Odyssey). We invite submissions by non-exiled and non-immigrant film makers whose films pertain to the themes of the program. _ We accept films and videos in 35 mm, Beta SP (PAL) and DV-CAM formats. _ Selected submissions will be deterwith no affiliation to the Iranian govern- mined by the Exile Film Festival selecMain program _ Exile, a Global Exment. There are no limits to film themes, tion committee. perience _ A DVD (PAL) copy of the film must be forms or time periods for film submisThe International Exile Film Festival’s submitted along with the application for main program will screen films by film- sions. preview. makers in exile and those that have left their countries due to political and social Special support grant: One goal of the In- _ All entries in languages other than Engternational Exile Film Festival is to lish and Swedish must be subtitled or injustices. strengthen the underground film movedubbed in English. ment in Iran and support freedom and _ All applications should be submitted by Special Programs _ Focal Points th The special programs consist of films that freedom of thought through culture, art, August 15 , 2009. Application forms can and especially film. To strive toward be are not made by exiles and immigrants, downloaded from this website (Link to but pertain to the theme of sectarian con- such goal, the Exile Film Festival has esflict and social justices caused by tyranni- tablished a fund to support two filmmak- application). ers or production groups active in the Ira- Website: http://exilefilmfestival.com/ cal governments. Films that document 13

>>>Iranian Bloggers Awarded For “Brave” Election Coverage

Reporters Without Borders has ranked Iran alongside China as the world’s biggest prison for journalists.

ranian bloggers won the 2009 Mohammad Amin Award on Friday, for their efforts to report the country’s disputed presidential election.

"We use land lines and e-mails now that we don't have SMS (text messaging), and while the Internet is now slow, it still works," Iranian blogger Mojtaba Samienejad told the AP.

“Iranian bloggers redefined the concept of citizen journalism and social networking when they became the only source of news in post-election Iran.” Christopher Pleitgan, Head of Reuters News Agency media business, said in a statement. Established in 1997, the annual award is named in honor of Mohammad Amin, an African cameraman who was killed in an airline hijacking. The award, which is sponsored by the Thomson Reuters media company, typically honors individuals who work behind the scenes. Iranian journalist Delbar Tavakoli received the award on behalf of the bloggers “for their commitment, bravery and dedication under harrowing conditions and extraordinary pressures while covering the presidential election.”

government's ban on reporting on the crisis in country, its shutdown of text messaging, blocking Web sites, the threats of jail and possibly death -- the bloggers strive to stay one step ahead.

Samienejad, a 28-year-old human rights activist, is one a small cadre of well-known bloggers willing to speak on record. Since the elections, the Iranian government has been squeezing Web traffic -- blocking dozens of Web sites and slowing the speed of the Internet so much that many sites, including Gmail and Yahoo, are virtually inaccessible.

Delbar Tavakoli Iranians Take Risks to Upload Their Dissent Online<<<

ranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices. This report is based Tavakoli, who fled Iran after losing her job, has on the accounts of witnesses reached in Iran and worked as a journalist for the last 13 years. Prior official statements carried on Iranian media. to the election, she covered women’s issues and tourism for the Sarmayeh and Etemad-e Melli Iranian protesters sneak their cell phones onto newspapers, and served as editor of the Shahr the streets and hit record, frantically trying to News Agency. evade being caught or beaten. The shaky, grainy images are e-mailed to friends. Then they are uploaded to blogs, YouTube or social networking sites, offering the world some of the only firsthand glimpses of tensions following the disputed presidential According to the Committee to Protect Journal- elections on 12 June. ists, at least seven bloggers were among the several dozen journalists arrested and jailed follow- But the Internet window on Iran's upheaval is being increasingly blacked out in an information ing the election. crackdown by authorities, who have restricted foreign media from the streets and restricted “Iran is at the forefront of online repression in many Web sites considered sympathetic to opthe Middle East, combining old-school tactics position leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and his such as detention and harassment with newer techniques such as online blocking and monitor- claim that the election was stolen by fraud vote rigging. ing,” the New York-based Press Freedom Organization said on 14 October. It is a political cat-and-mouse game played out in the streets of a country Reporters Without Blogging has flourished in the Middle East, driven by the region’s high growth rate in Inter- Borders has labeled "the world's biggest media jail." net use and the exceedingly restrictive land“I dedicate this prize to the Iranian journalists who worked hard to let the world know what is happening in Iran”, she said in Istanbul, where she accepted the award.

The activist Web site Avaaz.org announced a fundraising campaign Monday to provide Iranians with speedier access. The group said it hopes to raise $75,000 to "scale up (bandwidth) massively." Without anti-filtering software and use of Web proxy sites, Iranians can't browse YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and many Farsi-language news sites from inside Iran or abroad. The leadership is also jamming satellite television, which is technically illegal in Iran but is often tolerated, including the BBC’s Persian Service, Voice of America's Farsi channel and Los Angeles-based expatriate channels.Cell phone service is frequently down and text messaging hasn't worked since the protests began. The country's Revolutionary Guard has vowed to crack down on Iranians who post these images or write messages on blogs and social networking sites. The threats are an extension of the tight restrictions on journalists working for the foreign media, who have been banned from street reporting and can only conduct phone interviews or cite official sources such as state television. This has made it almost impossible to independently verify any reports about demonstrations and clashes. It is also difficult for news outlets to verify the amateur videos, photos and information posted by people on the Internet.

scape for traditional media.

On Monday, only a few new videos that appeared to be days-old protests trickled onto the Tavakoli explained that the Iranian governWeb, along with clips of Sunday's protest outment’s censorship on the press made it hard to side a mosque in north Tehran. Other postings, work as a journalist there. including many set to music on sites such as YouTube, showed older photos of violence in “I want to go back to my country … I put down Iran's streets my pen unwillingly for the first time in 13 years,” she told Reuters. It's an apparent sign that Iranian authorities are At least 35 journalists have left Iran since the 12 June election, Reporters Without Borders said on Wednesday. “This is the biggest exodus of journalists since the 1979 [Islamic] revolution,” the Paris-based press freedom watchdog said. “Describing news media as ‘means used in an attempt to overthrow the state’, the regime is ridding itself of undesired witnesses by jailing them or getting them to flee,” it added. 14

increasingly choking off the ability of protesters to post messages and images. Many Iranians who post messages on Twitter, or upload videos on YouTube, didn't want to be identified or speak with the media. One told The Associated Press in an e-mail he was afraid to email further or talk on the phone, saying he was in a "very dangerous situation”. Despite the dangers and the clampdowns - the

Mojtaba Samienejad

[Continued on pg 15]

He told the AP that his friend saw Neda Agha Soltan get shot and filmed one of the graphic During widespread clashes between opposition videos that raced around the world after captursupporters and police and militia, Samienejad, ing her bloody death. Valadbaygi said his friend who lives in Tehran, sent out dozens of gave him the video and he uploaded it to his "Tweets" on Twitter to more than 5,000 follow- Facebook pages, where he has more than 25,000 ers. friends. The video spread instantly over the Internet as others on Facebook, Twitter and On Monday:"One person was arrested... two bloggers linked it to their sites. people... three people... four people... we are all together!" Others are not so daring. Witnesses say they have seen security forces beating people for "Rumor is always very high in Iran, These days, having cell phones in their hands. worse than ever." One 28-year-old Iranian, who declined to give And on Sunday: "Streets of Tehran like a Garri- his name because of fears for his safety, said he son. People are depressed and angry." has sent some photos and videos of recent protests to his friends and family outside the counSamienejad said he has relied on proxy sites to try but not to blogs or YouTube. get around the filtering. He also changed the Web address of his blog after it was filtered. Samienejad has been offering some tips to Iranians who are posting pictures. "They can't control the Internet." said Samienejad, who was released in 2006 from an Iranian In a recent blog post, he told them to make sure prison after being sentenced to nearly three the people in their photos can't be identified so years in jail for insulting the country's Supreme authorities will not pursue them. Leader. "Our ability to pass information to the world is About two dozen journalists, including several good these days, but what about our plan inside bloggers, who have been arrested since the elec- the country?" he asked. tion, remain in prison, according to Reporters Without Borders. The crackdown has intensified Johnson reporting from Dubai, UAE in July since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 2009. earlier this month dismissed allegations of widespread voter fraud, and sternly warned Mousavi From previous pg...

many Iranians were in the stadium that night. It does not matter though, because for those 5 minutes while U2 performed Sunday Bloody Sunday, the entire stadium was converted into a Sea of Green. The roof was open, and we were under the naked night sky. It was just us and the gods. It was perfect. Thank you U2 for continuing to use your voice to raise awareness for those in Iran. Here’s to the future, a time when our friends and family in Iran can join us in these magnificent concerts. V Poem by Mollavi:

‫ﺑﺸﻨﻮ ازﻧﯽ ﭼﻮن ﺣﮑﺎﯾﺖ ﻣﯽ ﮐﻨﺪ‬

Thank You U2! By :Hannah H.

ctober 14th, the crowds were packed into Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas that can house over 60,000 people. Concert goers were from all backgrounds and had come together for one magical event, to witness U2, one of the greatest bands of our time. Before the concert started, we all marveled at how brilliant the stage was. It had towering pillars and the look of a spaceship, none of us had ever seen anything like it. I knew with a stage like that, I could expect the concert to be mind blowing. Out came the band we all had waited for, and as U2 rocked one hit after another, the crowd became more charged and more mesmerized. Thousands of people were up on their feet, singing with Bono (the lead singer), and in these moments they truly became one with the melody. Young and old people danced, lovers hugged and kissed, and friends joined hands through the songs that brought back so many memories for them. Then, the lights turned low and these Persian words from Mollavi came on the jumbo screen: Beshno, Beshno, Beshno Saeed Valadbaygi (Listen, Listen, Listen). I knew it was time for Sunday Bloody Sunday, the song that U2 so and his backers to call off demonstrations or risk being held responsible for "bloodshed, vio- generously dedicated to Iranians on their 360 tour. lence and rioting." Saeed Valadbaygi, a 26-year-old Iranian blogger and activist, has uploaded dozens of videos to Facebook pages and blogs, where he keeps a running feed of information about protests and clashes in Iran. 15

Green overtook the entire stadium and the images of protestors flashed before our eyes. The moment was far too grand and emotional, and I could not help but have tears in my eyes. We sang in unison with power: “Cause tonight...We can be as one…Tonight!” I do not know how

‫ازﺟﺪاﯾﯽ ھﺎ ﺷﮑﺎﯾﺖ ﻣﯽ ﮐﻨﺪ‬ ‫ﮐﺰ ﻧﯿﺴﺘﺎن ﺗﺎ ﻣﺮا ﺑﺒﺮﯾﺪه اﻧﺪ‬ ‫از ﻧﻔﯿﺮم ﻣﺮد وزن ﻧﺎﻟﯿﺪه اﻧﺪ‬ ‫ھﺮﮐﺴﯽ ﮐﻮدورﻣﺎﻧﺪازاﺻﻞ ﺧﻮﯾﺶ‬ ‫ﺑﺎزﺟﻮﯾﺪ روزﮔﺎ روﺻﻞ ﺧﻮﯾﺶ‬ ‫آﺗﺶ اﺳﺖ اﯾﻦ ﺑﺎﻧﮓ ﻧﺎی وﻧﯿﺴﺖ ﺑﺎد‬ ‫ھﺮﮐﮫ اﯾﻦ آﺗﺶ ﻧﺪارد ﻧﯿﺴﺖ ﺑﺎد‬ ‫ﮔﺮﻧﺒﻮدی ﻧﺎﻟﮫ ﻧﯽ را اﺛﺮ‬ ‫ﻧﯽ ﺟﮭﺎن را ﭘﺮﻧﮑﺮدی از ﺷﮑﺮ‬... ‫ﺑﺎ ﻟﺐ دﻣﺴﺎز ﺧﻮد ﮔﺮﺟﻔﺘﻤﯽ‬ ‫ھﻤﭽﻮﻧﯽ ﻣﻦ ﮔﻔﺘﻨﯿﮭﺎ ﮔﻔﺘﻤﯽ‬ ‫ﻣﺎ ھﻤﮫ ﺷﯿﺮﯾﻢ ﻟﯿﮏ ﺷﯿﺮان ﻋﻠﻢ‬ ‫ﺣﻤﻠﮫ ﻣﺎن ازﺑﺎد ﺑﺎﺷﺪ دم ﺑﺪم‬ ‫ﺣﻤﻠﮫ ﻣﺎن ازﺑﺎد وﻧﺎﭘﯿﺪاﺳﺖ ﺑﺎد‬ ‫ﺟﺎن ﻓﺪای آن ﮐﮫ ﻧﺎﭘﯿﺪاﺳﺖ ﺑﺎد‬

‘Mourning Mothers Iran’ Stand with Activist Mothers Worldwide By:Elahe Amani with Lys Anzia

A mother protecting her child isn't anything unique. But in Iran, humanitarian activist mothers are now becoming global icons for human rights causes worldwide. In silent public protest, the 'Mourning Mothers of Iran,' known locally in Tehran as the 'Mothers of Laleh,' stand together each week, on Saturday evening vigils in Tehran's Laleh Park. "I urge all women around the world to show their solidarity with the Committee of Iranian Mothers in Mourning by assembling in parks, in their respective countries, every Saturday between the hours of 7 to 8 p.m., wearing black," said Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Shirin Ebadi, in a plea made to women and activists worldwide at a July 25 Iran pro-democracy rally in Amsterdam. Like the infamous "Women in Black," and the 'Madres de Plaza de Mayo,' the Committee of Iranian Mothers use methods of ethics in non-violence to bring attention to the atrocity of their dead children. Beginning in Jerusalem, in 1988, a group of almost 40 Israeli-Jewish women of conscience formed 'The Women in Black.' To make their point, they wore black clothing and stood silent in public protests. They protested against Israeli expansion into the West Bank and Gaza on the heels of the beginning of the 1987 Palestinian intifada. Soon Arab women from the northern region of Israel also joined the Women in Black. The message was asked for "Peace!" Opposing war, injustice, and militarism, Women in Black groups and their affiliates can also be found in Iran, Australia, the UK, Serbia, Japan, South Africa, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, US, India, Nepal, Uruguay, Argentina and the Philippines, to name a few.Outside of Jerusalem, 1988 was also a very dark period for Iranian history. In a few summer months, an enormity of crimes against humanity occurred as an overwhelming number of Iranian political prisoners were massacred. This left thousands of Iranian mothers devastated. According to reports from Amnesty International, 4,500-10,000 Iranian political prisoners were declared killed or missing inside the country that year, over a period that lasted barely two months. After finding out about the death of their loved ones, the families of the victims were not allowed to receive the bodies of their dead. They were also not allowed to hold any funerals. Instead, the held bodies were dumped together in places like Khavaran or what the regime referred to as La'nat-Abad, 'The Damned Place,' a cemetery used for burying non-Muslims. [Continued on pg 17] 16

From pg11(The Unjust Imprisonfriend told me that in one visit Arash ment of Kamiar and Arash Alaei )... made a snide comment, no surprise, and the next evening they came for By then it was June of 2008 and I him, followed by Kamiar the next was on the phone with Kamiar almorning. most daily. He would call me to talk about a student and we would disIn the subsequent months I heard cuss our progress with the logistics. tons of rumors about the Alaeis, acOur relationship had turned into cusations that I do not wish to remuch more than just professional. peat. Ashamedly, it cast a shadow of Kamiar had become my older doubt upon them in my own eyes, brother and friend. Sometimes I me who has never seen anything called just to talk about personal from them but goodness. Ironically, matters. I would call and he would none of the rumors even concern the be riding back from the University political charges that have been on his bicycle, huffing and puffing, made against them. It seems to me asking how my MCAT studying was that the ludicrous gossip were degoing. He would joke that it was signed to call into question Kamiar time for me to get married and I and Arash's integrity, an indirect would indicate that it was his, ten justification for the injustice that has years my senior, turn first. Not long been done to them. Those who know thereafter, Kamiar went to Iran to them and their work also know that make preparations for the students. I Kamiar and Arash were never politispoke to him over the phone while cal. Calling into question their repuhe was in Iran. One of the other SA- tation is an attempt to justify their HAR Board members was visiting unjust imprisonment and dissuade me and we took turns talking, remi- friends from speaking out by creatniscing about the summer before. ing doubt through character assassiEverything seemed to be moving nation. At times I have convinced smoothly until tragedy struck a myself that attracting attention to month later. In early July I heard them would only hurt their case, but that Kamiar and Arash had been de- these were only more excuses to justained. We were all shocked, frantic, tify my own fear and inactivity. I not knowing what to do, the US stu- have done nothing for them. They dents, Iran students, and me—it was have been brothers to me and I abandoned them. I fear that this is totally out of the blue. . too little to late but maybe it can One of the SAHAR Board Members clarify a little about who the Alaeis who was in Iran that summer later are and the events surrounding their related to me what he had learned; imprisonment. Kamiar and Arash apparently some people had been have nothing but love for their peohaving weekly meetings with Arash ple and their country, and all the up to his detainment, interrogating false accusations in the world cannot him. Why? Maybe because Arash change that. Kamiar and Arash, my had interviewed on Voice of Amer- deepest apologies to you and your ica in his latest trip abroad or perfamily; I wish you a safe and speedy haps because of the US State Derelease. I hope that you can forgive partment sponsored trip of Iranian me and all those who have remained doctors and academics, touring hos- silent. pitals and research facilities. But why then were none of the others on Sincerely, that tour condemned? What brought An Unworthy Friend this about and who exactly those people were, I don't know, but my

From previous pg (Mourning Mothers Iran’ Stand with Activist Mothers Worldwide)… Mass burials at Khavaran were later accidentally discovered by an Armenian priest who had become curious as to why stray dogs kept digging for bones at, what was later determined the location of the mass graves. French-Iranian woman filmmaker, Mehrnoushe Solouki, was held in Evin Prison for nine months as she, too, stumbled on the discovery in 2007. "The deliberate and systematic manner in which these extrajudicial executions took place may constitute a crime against humanity under international law," said Human Rights Watch, in 2005. Perhaps of all the crimes against humanity in the last 30 years, the 1988 Iranian mass executions continue to be the most revealing indication of the regime's contempt and fear of political dissidents.

killed; some people said he was probably arrested and some said he may be injured. I found out that 7 people were killed that day (at the protests) of those, 5 had been identified and 2 had not. The 2 that had not been identified were apparently older. The sons of my family members went to see the 5 that were identified and they confirmed that none of them was Sohrab. I was relieved to hear that and thought that my son was therefore arrested. I knew that he wasn't injured because I searched every single hospital. I am aware that some hospitals would not give me a clear answer, but others did.

"In the recent events, the government in Iran has been fabricating reports depicting an incorrect image of what has been going on in the country," said Ebadi at the July 25, 2009 rally. "They do not want the people to know the truth." Madres de Plaza de Mayo - Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2008 We may think this kind of protest is new in Iran, but Iranian mothers have always spoken out against violence, disappearance and the torture of their sons and daughters. Prior to the 1979 revolution, only two mothers' organizations existed in the country. Both were affiliated with underground groups involved in struggles for democracy. They worked in opposition to the monarchy of the Shah's regime, who's policies had turned, at the end, to the jailing and torture of intellectuals, feminists, students, and labour union advocates.

So I headed out for the Revolutionary Court (Evin Prison) to follow up on his arrest. They told me to return home and I told them I couldn't – I am a Mother – I couldn't even eat. To this date I have a hard time eating. My throat just closes up. I have kept myself going through liquids only in the past few weeks. I can't tell you how much time I spent at the Revolutionary Court… if I were to write the story it'd make a very thick book. . .

How can a 19 year old that has yet to sit at the University entrance exams, and has yet to fulfill any one of his dreams, be killed? By whom; and on whose orders; and for what? I ask the City Council, what did my son ask of you? What did he ever ask of the government? What did he ask of his country? …We wanted nothing but peace, tranquility and a freedom of thought – that's what's important to us, is that my son thought about whom he voted for and where his vote goes. He didn't ask for anything else. Just because he was a supporter of Mr. Mousavi, he must be killed? For what crime? On the basis of what guilt? My son was in the prime of his youth, a 19 year old, who never fulfilled his dreams. As a mother, I ask God day and night to put an end to this injustice."

"I need to tell my story. No one can stop me. No one!" said Parvin Fahimi, an active member of Mothers for Peace and the mother of slain 19 year old Iranian protester, Sohrab Arabi, said recently in July. "My son had been killed, but they refused to tell me," she continued. On July 11, 2009, young Sohrab Arabi was identified as 'Picture Number 12′ by his older brother at the Shapour Street Police Station in Tehran. He was dead and his family finally knew the truth. He had been missing  Parvin Fahimi, mother of slain protester, Sohrab Arabi for 26 days. On the realization, his mother was beside herself with grief. (Partial testimony given during a Tehran City Council meeting July 23, 2009)

"Please hear my painful story as a resident of Tehran. I lost my son on Monday 25 of Khordad (15 June) during a peaceful rally that was taking place to protest the election results. With the crowds estimated at a minimum of 3 million, many people were lost and I too lost my son. The mobiles were cut off and I couldn't reach him – I searched everywhere for him and went back home and found he was not there either so I went back to Azadi Square to keep searching for him. The atmosphere was terrible, so much tear gas everywhere, it felt more like a battle ground and I have been sick ever since with chest problems. I couldn't find my child and I returned home and together with the sons of my relatives. As we searched every hospital and police station we didn't get a response. My son did not have his ID card with him; he just had a bit of money on him to go and buy test papers at Enghelab Sqaure to prepare for the university entrance exams coming up… That night I still did not hear of my son. The next morning when I called 110 (the emergency police call number) they told me to refer to my local police station. I went to the local police station and filed a missing persons report and they started the search process. No one had the guts to tell me than that maybe my son was 17

The exact circumstance surrounding the death of Sohrab Arabi continues to be unexplained. According to the International Campaign for Human Rights Iran, when the family received Arabi's body, his death appeared to be from the result of a gunshot wound to the chest, but no one knows when or where this injury occurred. An official, but inconclusive, report was made by the Coroner on June 19. The lives of the mothers of missing global activists, who are often called, 'mothers of the disappeared,' are often filled with moments of endurance and courage, in spite of the grief they carry. From the mothers of slain reporters working in Iraqi Kurdistan or the Ukraine; to the mothers of missing activist children in Iran or Argentina; the mothers of those who have who have 'gone missing' have the same experience over and over again. Mothers worldwide have the same fear, grief, anger and frustration about their dead and missing children. "I begged the gunmen to kill me instead, and they pushed me away and told me that they wanted her not me," said Kurdish mother of slain Iraqi journalist, Sara Abdul-Wahab, during a May 2008 Associated Press interview. In spite of her mother's attempt to save her life, Sarwa was fatally shot twice in the head by kidnappers. Tragically, her mother felt she could do nothing to save her daughter. Sarwa was the only breadwinner for a widowed mother, a sister and brother. She was a strong defender of human rights, a Kurdish lawyer and activist in Iraq, who continued to work in spite of numerous threats against her life.

[Continued on next pg]

From previous pg (Mourning Mothers Iran’ Stand with Activist Mothers Worldwide)…

María del Rosario de Cerruti.

When Ukrainian Prosecutor, General Mykhaylo Potebenko, issued a statement saying that DNA tests were delayed due to the illness of Lesya Gongadze, the mother of the missing and presumed dead human rights reporter Georgy Gongadze, Leyla grew suspicious. "This is a complete lie and deception," she told Ukrainska Pravda, the Web newspaper that her son founded. "I wasn't that sick, not so much as to be unable to give my blood for analysis. I was even insisting on it because I wanted to know Since 1977, the bereaved mothers have gathered the truth," she added. to walk around the Plaza de Mayo in central For nine year Gongadze case has been rife with Buenos Aires for 30 minutes every Thursday confusing facts and government shuffle. Georgy afternoon. Wearing white headscarves as a symGogandze's mother, Lesya Gongadze has been bol of peace, the simple action of the mothers struggling to expose the facts from the moment walking in a circle for peace has finally caught her son went missing. Faced with the dilemma the world's attention. Their movement has inspired families of the disappeared and victims of of not trusting the validity of DNA tests made human rights violations in many parts around by the Ukrainian authorities for an unidentifiable body that was found in 2000, Lesya contin- the world to engage in similar peaceful protests ues to ask questions and demand clarity on the in public places. true circumstances surrounding the murder of her son. To date, she has not been satisfied with On June 27, the Mothers of Lelah made a formal statement to the world that echoed the grief the answers given her. of all mothers worldwide. In Argentina, mothers of missing activists ask "What crime have they committed the same questions as mothers worldto deserve death? Why do we Irawide. These questions have lasted in Argentina nian mothers have to bear this almost 33 years. In 1977, they came together in enormous grief? What is our Buenos Aries calling themselves the 'Madres de crime? We will never let this crime Plaza de Mayo (Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo).' against us and our children pass by Ignoring a law prohibiting more than 3 people unnoticed. From now until the refrom gathering in one place, they began walking lease of all detained demonstrators, the plaza two by two, in the form of herothe cessation of violence and until ines under the threat of arrest. They began as 14 our children's killers receive their mothers who publically protested the disappearpunishment, we will every week ance of their children. Their protests began durgather in silent mourning near the ing what has been called the 'Dirty War' of Arplace where our beloved martyr gentina, a war beginning with the military dictaNeda died at Park Laleh. We urge torship of General Jorge Rafael Videla. all parents who are concerned about their daughters and sons, the "By the end of the year (1977), thousands would future capital of our country to join be illegally detained, tortured, assassinated or us." disappeared," says a now declassified document at the US National Security Archive. - The Committee of Mothers Iran (Mourning Mothers of Laleh) 2009 In panic under the sudden disappearances of Argentine labour advocates, students and social To date, the Argentine mothers have received 3 activists, the mothers began to speak out major international awards for their work with strongly to demand answers. A military coup human rights; the Sakharov Prize for Freedom had taken over Argentina with a vengeance, of Thought, the United Nations Prize for Peace lasting seven long years with what has been counted today as up to 30,000 missing or dead. Education and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights. It is expected that the In 1978, "A recent dramatic occurrence was the Committee of Mothers Iran (The Mourning abduction, in December, of five 'mothers of the Mothers of Laleh) will follow the legacy of disappeared' and two French nuns, whose bod- Madres de Plaza de Mayo with special award ies were reportedly discovered washed ashore," and recognition in their time. continues the declassified US National Security "Holding on to memory is the way to fight the Archive report. remains of the past regimes who want the whole "One of the things that I simply will not do now story of the disappeared to vanish," said Morea, one of the Plaza de Mayo mothers. is shut up. The women of my generation in Latin America have been taught that the man is always in charge and the woman is silent even "If you want justice and freedom, you have to put everything else on hold," said Iranian in the face of injustice… Now I know that we have to speak out about the injustices publicly. mother Parvin Fahimi, recently in a Sept 2009 interview. If not, we are accomplices. I am going to denounce them publicly without fear. This is what I learned," says Mother of Plaza de Mayo, 18

Iran’s Parliament Approves Cutting Energy Subsidies

ran's parliament has passed a bill that would cut energy subsidies to make the country less vulnerable to international sanctions over its disputed nuclear program, the official IRNA news agency reported. The bill needs to be approved by the hardline watchdog body, the Guardians Council, before being implemented. The parliament is still discussing other parts of the bill, including cutting food subsidies. Subsidies have placed a heavy burden on Iran's budget, and the government of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, who was reelected in a disputed presidential vote in June, wants to increase energy and utility prices and compensate low-income families with direct cash payments. The authorities say hefty fuel subsidies mainly benefit the wealthy, not the poor, but critics of the bill say it would increase inflation, now running at about 13 percent annually after a peak of nearly 30 percent a year ago. Iran, the word's fifth-largest crude oil exporter, has said it will need an additional $6.5 billion from the budget to cover fuel imports during the fourth quarter this year and the first quarter next year. Cutting subsidies could eat into demand and lower the need for imports, depending on how far Iran drives up the price. Higher prices could also make smuggling Iranian gasoline less profitable and in the longer term improve vehicle efficiency. Iran's conservative-dominated parliament in March removed the subsidy reform plan from the country's 2009-10 budget bill. Ahmadinejad accused parliament then of "violating the constitution". Iranian motorists have enjoyed some of the cheapest petrol in the world, but the government introduced rationing of heavily subsidized fuel two years ago as part of plans to cut energy subsidies. Natural gas and electricity consumption are also subsidized by the state. Analysts fear implementation of the bill may outrage ordinary Iranians, who already suffer from high inflation and unemployment. Iran lacks sufficient refining capacity to meet its domestic fuel needs and has to import up to 40 percent of its gasoline requirements, burdening state coffers. The United States and its European allies are exploring ways of targeting fuel exports to Iran if it continues to press on with its uranium enrichment work, which the West fears is a cover to build bombs. Iran has been hit by three rounds of United Nations sanctions over the nuclear program, which the government says is just for energy purposes.

From pg 1(Editor’s Note)... This time as always the start of the nuclear controversy is not a storm in a cloudless sky. Not the atomic silence of yesterday, nor the fuss of today have been or are accidental events. Despite its casual appearance everything originates from a clear and logical political objective. America and its allies don’t want to allow the Islamic Republic – albeit in its current shape and form – to have nuclear capability. And the Islamic Republic is determined to be armed with a nuclear bomb. Of course both sides have completely understandable political motives. America and its allies:

Think back to 2007, when the White House cowboy was lone astride his horse and both sides were busy shooting at each other’s shadows. Suddenly America’s highest national security body made the discovery that the Islamic Republic had since 2003 abandoned any enrichment program for an atomic bomb. This was simple theatrics set in motion to fatten up one pole at the expense of the other and pave the way for concessions. Other curtain calls of this theatre was the attendance of representatives of the two poles at the discussion table for the establishment of so called peace and security in Iraq – by people who themselves turned streets and schools and work places into killing zones. In essence, today that same terrorist pole with the same old goals, is seeking a way to deal with the Islamic Republic. The discovery of nuclear facilities in Qom by Obama with the support of Sarkozy and Gordon Brown precisely one day before the Geneva meetings was a card thrown on the table to compromise the Islamic Republic’s power. It was a tactical

America doesn’t want - and cannot allow - the Islamic Republic to be armed with nuclear weapons (unless the Islamic Republic becomes domestic, meaning a metamorphosis into an Islamic Republic that is openly pro-West in its course, that is a contradiction in itself and impossible). A nuclear Islamic Republic means the armament of a very important state branch of the Islamic movement, in other words increased power of maneuver by the Islamic Republic in the region and in the world, in other words the destruction of political equilibrium in the region to the disadvantage of America and its traditional allies in the region, in other words providing a platform for the Islamic Republic’s momentum, and the sharpening of the knife of the region’s thug to collect its fortune. And in political terms all this means opening the hands of Islamic Republic for further sleuth in Iraq and Afghanistan and other countrick to gain the upper hand at the tries in the region. Geneva talks. As to why Obama revealed the nuclear site in his supAlthough in the long term in strate- posed honeymoon period with the gic terms, America’s interest is for Islamic Republic, putting kindling the Islamic Republic to be replaced in the furnace of the nuclear conwith an openly pro-west governflict, is directly related to Iran’s inment, but in the theory of this stra- ternal crisis. You can easily rely on tegic goal, harnessing and domesti- this, that the Islamic Republic is cating this Islamic Republic is still still limping from the blows of June in the command of the west. Espe- and July and that it must be pursued cially in considering the revolution- and made to take a back seat before ary nightmare by the people and the it catches up with itself. This has possibility of the ascent of the Left, happened in that it was decided that subduing the Islamic Republic has atomic energy inspectors of the become more relevant. If it were United Nations would visit Qom previously possible to entertain and that the 20 percent uranium ensuch far fetched dreams that the richment program on Russian soil Islamic movement and its Islamic would reach completion. All this government could be controlled by with the drum roll of “another vicsay Obama’s prayers in Egypt or at tory” for Islam against the blashis White House dinner table, a nu- phemy of progress. clear Islamic Republic could not be tamed even if Obama, Sarkozy and The Islamic Republic Gordon Brown all three donned turbans. For a time Iran’s nuclear program (the development of nuclear weap-

ons for peaceful purposes) presented possibilities of better advancement in political bullying in the region, new tools for gaining power, and a new opportunity for playing a bigger role in the equation of world politics. With nuclear capability the Islamic Republic’s path towards finding a more powerful role as a faction of world terrorism was smooth. This was a time that the Islamic movement and the Islamic government held position as an important pillar of this movement in contrast to circumstances today. The Islamic Republic has hitched itself as the dog of the Palestinian people and the leader of the Mostazafiin and in Iran had not familiarized itself with the wage scale in recent months. Today, particularly after the human and revolutionary movement as the world marveled, the Islamic Republic has transformed into a cursed and illegitimate being that is desparate and helpless and can only stand up with the use of bullets and rape and crime. A rusty rope for hanging. And a way of avoiding the dark future of the Islamic movement and

Islamic government. In Iran the revolutionary movement has unveiled a vast community.A movement for the complete overthrowal of the Islamic government. This movement has earned the respect of the world’s people, and their hatred for its enemy the Islamic Republic. Today the Islamic Republic because of this very movement is illegitimate not just in Iran but in the eyes of the world. The immediate goal of the nuclear controversy this time has been to take advantage of worldwide disdain for the Islamic Republic and respect for the revolutionary people of Iran and divert from this crisis and struggle.

while. The Islamic Republic that face to face in battle with the people was openly declared illegitimate, imagined that it could pose well by photographing its brokers with western brokers in Geneva. The Islamic Republic who was still shaking from the Death to the Dictator chants upon it, had relied on the fact that by appearing in Geneva, it could change the face of a destroyed and dead government for one that is in support of accountability to the West. It relied on convincing the people of the world that despite the great political quake in Iran, that the Islamic Republic publicly and in particular the Khamenei -Ahmadinejad band, still carries weight on the world scene. In truth the Islamic Republic tried to buy legitimacy for its illegitimate government from behind the microphone at the Geneva talks. From the perspective of a government under attack by angry protesters and hanging from the political precipice, the Geneva talks and socializing with western states, discussions in the name of the Iranian people, the very people who intend to drag it under, played the role of a clasp that one could almost hang from. It’s not without reason that Ahmadinejad has proposed that Iran talks take place with five permanent Security Council members and Germany at top leadership level. This means that Ahmadinjad whose photograph is defaced and torn in Iran and who people want to pull down from his podium, is still President outside Iran and can be photographed with Obama and Sarkozy and Gordon Brown and Angela Merkel. This is someone who with one hand holds up the hangman’s noose and can with the other dangle on the string of western states.

Meanwhile political Islam has ruptured and the Islamic Republic has attempted to open a new account with the “nationalistic excitement” of the people. From their point of view the nuclear struggle can grab the “nationalistic excitement” from the arms of the nationalistic movement and put it in the pocket of the Islamic movement. But hostility and hatred towards the Islamic government is so strong and widespread in Iran that no nationalistic gesture can overshadow so much as an element of this hatred. Especially as today’s hatred for the government is no longer a simple feeling, but a political force that has The Islamic Republic knowing full reached right to the Islamic government’s doorstep. well that an atom bomb cannot thwart the people’s movement, be- [Continued on next page] lieves – as always foolishly – that with the nuclear controversy it can at least silence the trenches for

From previous pg (Editor’s Note)...

reformist or authoritarian.)

The solution to a world without the nightmare of nuclear armament cannot lie in the hands of two sides where one strides over 80 perIt is possible to put an end to, and an end must be put, to the nuclear cent of the world’s atomic arsenal in boots bloodied from killing in conflict and the nightmare of a nuclear Islamic government. But Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the other wants to make a great freedom from this nightmare won’t come from the Security Coun- bloodied attack with nuclear warheads on Shahab 3. The key to a cil, nor from the rantings of two terrorist poles. The west’s propa- world without nuclear armament is in the hands of a movement and ganda on the dangers of nuclear power is not valid and nor are the force whose political philosophy and agenda is the safety of all Islamic Republic’s games of ignorance that its goals are peaceful. people and one that does not have a need for genocide. This force is These are both part of the problem that is the world’s nuclear night- the third pole, standing against both terrorist poles, and one that the mare. America has been directly responsible for atomic war in pre- majority of peace loving people belong to. sent history, and the Islamic Republic, even without nuclear power has no meaning without blood and killing and is nourished by this An active and powerful head of this third pole, the people of Iran, political nightmare. (On balance let’s say, as with all other matters, have begun a huge ongoing battle with one side of this nuclear conthat with regards to the atom nightmare too, the Islamic governflict, namely the Islamic Republic. The strongest, most progressive, ment as a whole is part of the problem. Ahmadinejad and Khame- most determined force of the third pole in Iran is determined to nei’s camp every night lay their heads down with the dream of nu- overthrow the Islamic Republic and take a major branch of world clear warheads over Shahab 3 and setting ablaze the Israeli people. terrorism, together with its nuclear program to the grave of history. Its opponent’s path is not much better. Rafsanjani who supposedly This movement is determined to pluck this historical misery from belongs to a more “people” faction of the Islamic Republic, eight the world and build in its place a society in which human life is sayears ago said: “The explosion of an atom bomb in Israel would cred, one in which human respect in every respect and every faith leave nothing. But it would damage the Islamic world and such an and every name and every religion and every ideology is paraoccurrence is not far from reason!” Islamic madness arising from mount. A society where everything serves the welfare, peace, the ideologies and political needs of the Islamic Republic, be they safety, comfort, respect, freedom and equality of human beings. Who holds the key?

Iran Gives British Museum 2-Month Deadline Over Cyrus Cylinder Iran’s National Museum and the British Museum, the ancient clay cylinder was scheduled to be lent to Iran in Sepran will stop all mutual tember but the director of the cooperation with the British Museum refused to do British Museum unless an an- so, citing Iran’s post-election cient artifact, the Cyrus Cyl- political state,” Baqaei said in inder, is loaned to the Nathe interview carried by the tional Museum of Iran within Web site of Fars today. the next two months. The Cylinder, dated about 539-530 B.C. and inscribed in Babylonian cuneiform, has been described as the world’s earliest charter of human rights. The British Museum said Oct. 8 that it would keep its promise to lend the Cylinder, and was watching the Iranian political situation to make sure the loan was made in the best possible conditions. By: Ali Sheykholeslami

Hamid Baqaei, vice president in charge of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization set the deadline in an interview with the state-run Fars news agency.

Iran has asked the British Museum to explain what political problem stops the fulfillment of the agreement, Baqaei said.

any mutual activities with them, including archaeological cooperation and holding cultural heritage exhibitions in the U.K.,” Fars quoted Baqaei as saying.

that the situation in the country was suitable,” she said.

“We certainly have committed to lending the Cyrus Cylinder to Iran, and it is fully our intention to do that,” said Hannah Boulton, head of press at the British Museum on Oct. 8. “We are currently monitoring the political situation in Iran, but we hope that we’ll be able to honor that commitment as soon as possible.”

Discussions on the timing of the loan started “only comparatively recently,” Boulton said.

The British Museum promised to loan the Cylinder after its 2005-6 exhibition, “Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia,” acElection Protest cording to Boulton. It was Iranian President Mahmoud made clear at the time, she Ahmadinejad was re-elected said, that the Cylinder would in June 12 elections, which not be loaned until after the his opponents said were “Babylon: Myth and Reality” rigged. Ahmadinejad has de- exhibition, which ended nied the allegations. Iranians March 15. The British Muhave taken to the streets in the seum also wanted the Cylintens of thousands to protest der shown temporarily in its the outcome. new Iranian gallery, she said.

“If the British Museum fails to send the Cyrus Cylinder in “As ever with any kind of the next two months to be “According to a deal between shown in Iran, we will cease loan, we’d want to be assured 20

"Bunch of Soldiers" is his first track with a music video (featured here with English subtitles). Filming street scenes without an Ershad-issued permit can carry a jail sentence, so most artists shy away from making videos. Hich Kas decided to brave the danger. The 2008 song, which encourages uniting in the face of oppression, seems strangely prescient in light of the events since the June elecRT MAGNET tion. The video's depiction of Tehran set against pitch ehran's black and bright white underbackgrounds adds to the ground mood that the dark but music No One Knows About Persian Cats hopeful lyrics evoke. scene is explored 21

in a number of documentaries at last year's Cannes Film Festival, including Amir Hamz's "Sounds of Silence" and Bahman Ghobadi's "No One Knows About Persian Cats" From forerunners like rock band O-hum to innovative stars like Mohsen Namjoo, the stories of a few musicians who have gone mainstream once they leave Iran have been featured in the mainstream media. But less is known about those who remain inside the country and cautiously Hichkas guard their identities. Hip-hop in particular deserves recognition for its mainstream status among youthful audiences in Iran. Kucheh bazaar vernacular, or street slang, dominates Farsi rap, and most songs are characterized by a litany of colorful profanity. Lyrics frequently depict Tehran's increasingly promiscuous nightlife and drug culture, and hint at indifference in the face of prevalent struggles with depression and despair. For instance, in "Summer is Short," popular rapper Zed Bazi goes:

We feel sexier [i.e, after doing cocaine], like we're lying on some beach in Mexico/ ... then we're in bed, on top of each other/ ... and I want you to tell me 'Fuck Life' But Iran's "President of Hip Hop," as he is dubbed, goes by the stage name Hich Kas, meaning "Nobody." In 2003, at 18, Hich Kas pioneered one of the first rap groups in the country called "021," after the area code for Tehran. After Ershad, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, denied his group official permission to perform or release his music, Hich Kas proceeded to record his music in underground studios and distribute it online. He released a full album, "The Asphalt Jungle," on iTunes in 2006.

edBazi is one of the most popular & most influential Iranian HipHop bands. they are also one of the very first persian bands who works abroad, in England. ZedBazi consists of 3 people Saman Wilson ( Willy ) Sohrab Masterjoint ( MJ ) Mehrad Hidden ( Hidden ) & alongside frequent collabarators Alireza JJ and Sijal and Nasim also Mehran Korjes(Jubin) and Raidon. Mehrad Hidden and Saman Wilson first met whilst they were in High School in Iran, and later befriended Sohrab MJ in a party. the band has been created in 2005. they release several very well known and influential songs like “BiHess” and “Tabestoon Kootahe” which gained a huge success and fame for the band. Their 2006 song “Berim Fazaa” has been downloaded over 8 million times. they’ve toured europe and dubai in 2006 . They are one of the most famous Persian Rap and Hip Hop artists, and are credited with introducing gangsta rap to Iran. Their songs usually talk about controversial issues faced in Iran such as sex and drugs while residing in Tehran.

Want some melody? Insert a coin in the machine Will sing for you: "Coin as banknote Banknote as criminal image Criminal image as paper missile Missile as explosion Explosion as bomb Bomb as limbs and blood Limbs as humans Humans as communication Communication as love Love as marriage Marriage as family Family as welfare Welfare as coin Coin as coin Coin as welfare Coin as family Coin as marriage Coin as love Coin as communication Coin as humans Coin as limbs Coin as bomb Coin as explosion Coin as missile Coin as criminal Coin as banknote"

In an interview with the Daily Show's Jason Jones this past summer, Hich Kas said his music focuses on social issues, such as the regime's mistreatment of the public and the high rates of addiction, depression and unemployment among Iran's youth.

Want some melody? Insert a coin in the machine! Poet: Bahare ZEDBAZI

COIN

[Continued on next pg]

RT MAGNET TOP 20 (movie) 1. The Final Destination 2. Halloween II 3. Taking Woodstock 4. Inglourious Basterds 5. Shorts 6. Post Grad 7. Five Minutes of Heaven 8. Art & Copy 9. ‫ا‬X Games 3D: The Movie 10. District 9 11. The Time Traveler's Wife 12. The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard 13. Ponyo 14. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra 15. Julie & Julia 16. A Perfect Getaway 17. Funny People 18. Aliens in the Attic 19. G-Force 20. The Ugly Truth TOP 10(music)

CANDY Director: Neil Armfield Release date: 3 November 2006(UK)

andy (Abbie Cornish) is a beautiful young lady with a lot of potential who falls in love with a charming, young, aspiring poet (Heath Ledger) and his beatnik lifestyle- which includes drugs. Before too long, both of them are wrapped up in the druggie lifestyle. What starts off as harmless fun and pleasure ends up as pain and misery. Heath Ledgers poet, Dan is a pretty good con man and works a nice credit card scheme that keeps the cash coming in at a steady rate- for awhile. Then, of course, their luck runs out and it comes down to lying, stealing and manipulating Candy's family for money. Soon, as Dan and Candy sink further and further into a horrific heroin addiction; it comes down to prostitution, degradation and then withdrawal. This is ultimately a very sad story with a bittersweet ending. Dan's devotion to Candy is shown when the two suffer through horrible heroin withdrawal

only to decide that they cannot quit the drug cold turkey and turn to methadone. Dan moves them to the country and takes on some menial labor jobs for money to put food on the table. Candy doesn't work and soon becomes more and more depressed and lonely; hanging out and smoking pot with a neighbor. Her behavior becomes more and more erratic and before long she flees the country. It's a heartbreaking scene, when Dan comes home from a hard day of work to find the place trashed and Candy gone, words written in lipstick on the walls. He falls apart. He's despondent and turns back to drugs. He goes to see his mentor and father figure, Casper (Rush), who has developed a drug more potent and cheaper than heroin; but when he arrives there he finds his friend has overdosed. This is a powerful moment in the film and this is where Ledger is at his best, quietly conveying his complete emotional devastation. He's lost the girl he loves and his best friend. He's hit rock bottom. He gets a dishwashing job and manages to stay clean; still thinking about Candy and still writing his poetry on breaks. Eventually the day comes when a cleaned up candy comes to see him. He does the hardest thing in the world- he lets her go.

1. I Gotta Feeling , Black Eyed Peas 2. Paparazzi , Lady GaGa 3. Whatcha, Say,Jason Derulo 4. Down Jay Sean , Featuring Lil Wayne 5. Fireflies , Owl City 6. Party In The U.S.A. , Miley Cyrus 7. You Belong With Me ,Taylor Swift 8. 3 ,Britney Spears 9. Uprising ,Muse 10. One Less Lonely , Girl Justin Bieber

Rock Ballads 1. Deep Purple - Soldier of fortune 2. Rolling Stones - Angie 3. Queen - Love of my life 4. KISS – Beth 5. Uriah Heep - Rain 6. The Beatles - Let it be 7. Nazareth - Love hurts 8. Rainbow - The temple of the 9. King 10. Eagles - Hotel California 11. Jane - Daytime

12. Elton John - Sorry seems to be 13. the hardest word 14. Black Sabbath - Changes 15. Styx - Lady 16. Bad Company - Simple Man 17. Led zeppelin - Stairway to 18. Heaven 19. Animals - House of the rising sun 20. jimi Hendrix - Little wing 21. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Put a spell on you 22. The Doors - Riders of the Storm

23. Aerosmith - Dream on 24. America - One in a million 25. Dire Straights - Where do you 26. think you're going 27. Kanzas - Dust in the wind 28. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb 29. Scorpions - Life's like a river 30. Wishbone Ash - Persephone 31. Janis Joplin - Summertime 32. Moody Blues - Night in white satin 33. ZZ Top - Blue Jeans Blues http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IhydyxRjujU

Capitalism: A Love Story is a 2009 American documentary film directed by and starring Michael Moore. The film centers on the financial crisis of 2007–2009 and the recovery stimulus, while putting forward an indictment of the current economic order in the United States and capitalism in general. Topics covered include Wall Street's "casino mentality", for-profit prisons, Goldman Sachs' influence in Washington, DC, the poverty-level of many airline pilots, the large wave of home foreclosures, and the consequences of "runaway greed".[1] The film also features a religious component where Moore examines whether capitalism is a sin and if Jesus would be a capitalist.[2] The film was widely released to the public in the United States and Canada on October 2, 2009. 22

FUMILY Simin sings, Only for me

Farhad say?

The Winner Stands Alone (2009)

"My Sunday evening, unfinished crossword, a whole black square,

By: Paulo Coelho

Above is sinister owl"

"From your eye's treasure, The roof's antenna colorful coins, falling in the air…" Mechanical insects Mother traveled Advertise holy *hit Father traveled You and me sitting by the T.V Another cigarette burns Sitting on the highest spot And the neighbor's happy persimmon tree A little marsh just for me Behind some windows, rain of light And some are only dark The evening

Waiting for some new waves Dirty insects whisper "vizviz- viz" We sleep-walk through our dreams

Distanced from insects

Poet: Bahare

In his new novel »The Winner Stands Alone«, Paulo Coelho takes us to the Cannes Film festival, where the so-called superclass gathers - those who have made it in the dream makers world of fashion and film. Some have even reached the very top and are afraid to lose their lofty position. Money, power and fame are at stake - values for which most people are prepared to do anything, whatever the cost.

Worldwide Bestseller

Weather's cloudy for the first time

*DESCRIPTION: FUMILY: a composition of fume and family.

Tonight bats bring me some news Simin: Simin Ghanem is an Iranian female singer.

Look! Here comes rain again Wish you were here Coming along my poem And right now you really are

Farhad:Farhad Mehrad was an award winning Persian legendary rock singer, guitarist, pianist and icon of freedom.

Do you know what does Editor: Saeed Valadbaygi Associate Editor: Negar Esfandyari Advice & assistance: Abbas,Amin,Ana,Babak Translation: Sara,Navid,Elham,Negin,Mahan,Cristina,Pascal,Shohre,Keyvan,Arsham Pegah &… Newsgroup: Saeed,Maryam,Amir,Lara,Negin,Sima,Kamelia,Kaveh,Saman &… NOTICE: PLEASE HELP THE PUBLICATION OF THIS JOURNAL WITH DIRECT DONATION OR BY PRINTING & DISTRIBUTING EACH EDITION IN YOUR AREA. BEST

In »The Winner Stands Alone«, Paulo Coelho is back to the important themes from Eleven minutes and The Zahir. He offers a novel full of suspense, a mirror image of the world we live in, where our commitment to luxury and the success of any cost often prevents us from hearing what the heart actually whispers.

Translated into 42 languages

You can't believe

«The redemption of love through total surrender»

Who will succeed in identifying his or her own personal dream among the many prefabricated dreams and in making it come true?

Only for you and me

A tiny bat just passed me by

PLOT

At this modern vanity fair meet: Igor, a Russian millionaire; fashion czar Hamid from the Middle East; American actress Gabriella, eager to glean a lead role; ambitious criminal detective Savoy, hoping to resolve the case of his life, and Yasmine on the brink of a successful modeling career.

I have a small garden

I just planted a seed

The lonely evening

«The Winner Stands Alone is a book rich in ethical complexities, and Coelho handles its tangled threads with his characteristic mastery, trying to exhibit without judging the actions of those involved in the plot...»

u r

a l

«Coelho's true success does not lie in his ability to narrate what he sees but in his gift to reconcile ourselves to the invisible. This is why his books, as Saint-Exupéry would say, are to be read with the heart.»

Discrimination against Baha'i of Iran

he Baha'i religion is a new world religion that started about 160 years ago in Iran. Baha'i faith, just like every other religion went through a lot of sacrifices to get their voices heard. Knowing over 2 million people practice the Baha'i religion, I would be confident to say that it is a world religion, and some 300,000 Baha'is live throughout Iran, making the Baha'i faith the largest minority religion in this country.

time ago Baha'i cemeteries around the country were demolished, some for the first time and some for as far as the 18th time. Using large trucks and bulldozers, a number of unknown individuals destroyed and excavated Baha’i Cemeteries and wrote hate notes on tum-stones and walls.

have been arrested or detained in Tehran, Ghaemshahr, Mashhad, Sari, Yazd, Shiraz, Semnan, Hamadan, Babol, Karaj, Tonekabon, Miandoah, Mahforouzak, and Kashan.

The collateral required for temporary release from custody is often exorbitant. A woman in Semnan who was arrested this summer and released two weeks later was required to post bail in the amount of Similar attempts have continued on, to 100 million tumans – approximately force Baha'is to refrain from their relig- $100,000. ion. The trouble for Baha'is range from imThe court cases of more than 200 Baha’is prisonment for many believers to decapiOn September 1998 (7/7/1377), all are still active. These include individuals tation. The reason for this major disaround the country the houses of the in prison, those who have been crimination being that Muslims released pending trial, those do not believe there would or who have appealed their vershould be another religion after dicts, those awaiting notificaIslam. tion to begin serving prison Believers of the Baha'i religsentences, and a few who are ion have been prosecuted since serving periods of internal exthe beginning of their era until ile. Thousands more have been there was a change in the govquestioned, threatened, or deernment and as a result of that prived of pensions, livelihood for almost three decades Baha'is or education. were able to live a normal life. Although the trial of seven BaNearly hundred years after ha'i leaders imprisoned in Iran the birth of the Baha'i faith, affor more than 17 months was ter the Islamic revolution in scheduled for today, when atIran, the nightmare had started torneys and families arrived at again. . With more than 200 Baha'is exe- BIHE leaders were attacked. BIHE is a the court offices in Tehran they were told cuted, thousands imprisoned, and tens of university built by the hands of the Bait would not take place. No new trial date thousands of jobs lost their situation is ha'i teachers and professors who were has been set. fired from their jobs after the revolution. worsening daily. All the files, computers, books, and much "The time has come for these seven innoThe count on murdered and imprisoned more were confiscated, many teachers cent people to be immediately released Baha'is just keeps getting higher to the on bail," said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i Inwere arrested and imprisoned for days, point that many Baha'i families were thankfully all were released and charges ternational Community's representative forced give up their possessions and to the United Nations in Geneva. were dropped. leave the country. "The seven, whose only 'crime' is their Only two years later, in the beginning One of the most talked about martyrs in school year of 2000, Baha'i students were religious belief, are once again in legal the Baha'i faith is Mona. in October of asked to identify themselves, and at that limbo, held with no idea of the legal 1982, in the city of Shiraz Mona, a Baprocess ahead of them. The whole chatime nearly 250 student were expelled ha’i teenage girl was taken away from rade cries out for an end to their unlawful from schools for practicing the Baha'i her home in the middle of the night, and faith. detention," she said. was taken to the prison. She was held imSeven Friend(Yaran) of Iran were arprisoned with nine other female Baha'i In more recent attempts counting the rested with the accusations of espionage members, their crime? Teaching bahai seven people in Tehran who formerly children about the faith. They were reconstituted the Friends(Yaran) in Iran, at for Israel, propaganda against Iran and peatedly questioned and asked to deny least 33 Iranian Baha’is are in prison be- “insulting religious sanctities” 17 months ago. And sometimes in June the false actheir religion. And had been put through cause of their religion. cusations were joined by another accusalots of intense psychological and mental The number of Baha’is in detention var- tion “spreading of corruption on earth” abuse, but they refused to deny their ies frequently because new people are which is said to “carry threat of death” faith, which led to their execution on th arrested but others released after posting under Iran's penal code. Although the anMath 12 1983. cash, property deeds, or business licenses niversary of their imprisonment in Of course the Islamic Republic did not around the corner, their cases have not as collateral. stop at putting Baha'is lives in danger yet gone to trial! And have been faced Since the beginning of 2009, Baha’is and destructing their properties. Somewith new accusations every so often. 24

TEHRAN: Death over Khamene’i

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