DOCSLIB.ORG

PDF Document (In English)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
PDF Document (In English) Iran Human Rights Documentation Center The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) believes that the development of an accountability movement and a culture of human rights in Iran are crucial to the long-term peace and security of the country and the Middle East region. As numerous examples have illustrated, the removal of an authoritarian regime does not necessarily lead to an improved human rights situation if institutions and civil society are weak, or if a culture of human rights and democratic governance has not been cultivated. By providing Iranians with comprehensive human rights reports, data about past and present human rights violations, and information about international human rights standards, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the IHRDC programs will strengthen Iranians’ ability to demand accountability, reform public institutions, and promote transparency and respect for human rights. Encouraging a culture of human rights within Iranian society as a whole will allow political and legal reforms to have real and lasting weight. The IHRDC seeks to: Establish a comprehensive and objective historical record of the human rights situation in Iran, and on the basis of this record, establish responsibility for patterns of human rights abuses; Make the record available in an archive that is accessible to the public for research and educational purposes; Promote accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Iran; and Encourage an informed dialogue on the human rights situation in Iran among scholars and the general public in Iran and abroad. Iran Human Rights Documentation Center 129 Church Street New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA Tel: +1-(203)-772-2218 Fax: +1-(203)-772-1782 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.iranhrdc.org Front cover: Ahwazi Arabs marching in Kuye Alavi neighborhood in Ahvaz during the April 2005 protests. © 2014 All Rights Reserved. Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, New Haven, Connecticut A Framework of Violence: Repression of the Arab Ethnic Minority in the Islamic Republic of Iran IRAN HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTATION CENTER (SEPTEMBER 2014) Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1. Timeline of Events from Early History to the Present Day ................................................................................................ 4 1.1. Geography and History ................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.2. The Iranian Revolution of 1978-79 .............................................................................................................................. 5 1.3. Black Wednesday ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.4. The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) ................................................................................................................................... 9 1.5.The Khatami Presidency (1997-2005) .......................................................................................................................... 9 1.6. The April 2005 Intifazeh ............................................................................................................................................ 10 1.7. Ahvaz Bombings of 2005-06 and the ensuing reprisals ............................................................................................. 12 1.8. Continuing political marginalization: the April 2011 Protests ................................................................................... 13 2. Violations against Ahwazi Arab Activists ........................................................................................................................ 14 2.1. Executions .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 2.1.1. Executions post-1979 .......................................................................................................................................... 14 2.1.1.1. Jalel Sherhani .............................................................................................................................................. 15 2.1.1.2. Isa Yasin ...................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.1.1.3. Seif Mohammadi ......................................................................................................................................... 17 2.1.2. Executions in connection with 2005/2006 Ahvaz Bombings ............................................................................. 17 2.1.2.1. Ali Afrawi and Mehdi Nawaseri ................................................................................................................. 18 2.1.2.2. Hadi Batili ................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.1.3. Abdulrahman, Jassem and Ali Heidari and Ali Na’ami ...................................................................................... 19 2.1.4. Al-Hiwar Co-Founders ........................................................................................................................................ 19 2.1.5. Ghazi Abbasi, Abdul-Reza Amir-Khanafereh, Abdul-Amir Mojaddami, and Jasim Moghaddam Payam ........ 22 2.1.6. Al-Shabab Co-Founders ...................................................................................................................................... 22 2.2. Physical Violence and Psychological Abuse in Detention ......................................................................................... 23 2.2.1. Physical Abuse .................................................................................................................................................... 24 2.2.1.1. Hadi Batili ................................................................................................................................................... 24 2.2.1.2. Abdolhamid Nazari ..................................................................................................................................... 25 2.2.1.3. Saeed Hamidan ........................................................................................................................................... 25 2.2.1.4. Saied Alboghbaysh ..................................................................................................................................... 26 2.2.1.5. Qader Rahimi (pseudonym) ........................................................................................................................ 26 2.2.1.6. Seif Mohammadi ......................................................................................................................................... 27 2.2.1.7. Kamil Alboshoka ........................................................................................................................................ 27 2.2.1.8. Isa Savar ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 2.2.1.9. Qasem Dinarvandi ...................................................................................................................................... 27 2.2.2. Psychological Abuse ........................................................................................................................................... 28 2.2.2.1. Huda Hawashimi ......................................................................................................................................... 28 2.2.2.2. Masumeh Ka’abi ......................................................................................................................................... 29 2.2.2.3. Abdolhamid Nazari ..................................................................................................................................... 30 2.2.2.4. Hadi Batili ................................................................................................................................................... 30 2.2.2.5. Qasem Dinarvandi ...................................................................................................................................... 30 2.2.2.6. Salim Karimi (pseudonym) ......................................................................................................................... 31 2.2.2.7. Saeed Hamidan ........................................................................................................................................... 31 2.2.2.8. Isa Savari ..................................................................................................................................................... 31 2.2.3. Use of Drugs on Detainees during Interrogation ...............................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • PDF Fileiranian Migrations to Dubai: Constraints and Autonomy of A
    Iranian Migrations to Dubai: Constraints and Autonomy of a Segmented Diaspora Amin Moghadam Working Paper No. 2021/3 January 2021 The Working Papers Series is produced jointly by the Ryerson Centre for Immigration and Settlement (RCIS) and the CERC in Migration and Integration www.ryerson.ca/rcis www.ryerson.ca/cerc-migration Working Paper No. 2021/3 Iranian Migrations to Dubai: Constraints and Autonomy of a Segmented Diaspora Amin Moghadam Ryerson University Series Editors: Anna Triandafyllidou and Usha George The Working Papers Series is produced jointly by the Ryerson Centre for Immigration and Settlement (RCIS) and the CERC in Migration and Integration at Ryerson University. Working Papers present scholarly research of all disciplines on issues related to immigration and settlement. The purpose is to stimulate discussion and collect feedback. The views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of the RCIS or the CERC. For further information, visit www.ryerson.ca/rcis and www.ryerson.ca/cerc-migration. ISSN: 1929-9915 Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License A. Moghadam Abstract In this paper I examine the way modalities of mobility and settlement contribute to the socio- economic stratification of the Iranian community in Dubai, while simultaneously reflecting its segmented nature, complex internal dynamics, and relationship to the environment in which it is formed. I will analyze Iranian migrants’ representations and their cultural initiatives to help elucidate the socio-economic hierarchies that result from differentiated access to distinct social spaces as well as the agency that migrants have over these hierarchies. In doing so, I examine how social categories constructed in the contexts of departure and arrival contribute to shaping migratory trajectories.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Register/Vol. 85, No. 63/Wednesday, April 1, 2020/Notices
    18334 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 63 / Wednesday, April 1, 2020 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY a.k.a. CHAGHAZARDY, MohammadKazem); Subject to Secondary Sanctions; Gender DOB 21 Jan 1962; nationality Iran; Additional Male; Passport D9016371 (Iran) (individual) Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions Information—Subject to Secondary [IRAN]. Sanctions; Gender Male (individual) Identified as meeting the definition of the Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions [NPWMD] [IFSR] (Linked To: BANK SEPAH). term Government of Iran as set forth in Designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iv) of section 7(d) of E.O. 13599 and section AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for 560.304 of the ITSR, 31 CFR part 560. Control, Treasury. or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, BANK 11. SAEEDI, Mohammed; DOB 22 Nov ACTION: Notice. SEPAH, a person whose property and 1962; Additional Sanctions Information— interests in property are blocked pursuant to Subject to Secondary Sanctions; Gender SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the E.O. 13382. Male; Passport W40899252 (Iran) (individual) Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets 3. KHALILI, Jamshid; DOB 23 Sep 1957; [IRAN]. Control (OFAC) is publishing the names Additional Sanctions Information—Subject Identified as meeting the definition of the of one or more persons that have been to Secondary Sanctions; Gender Male; term Government of Iran as set forth in Passport Y28308325 (Iran) (individual) section 7(d) of E.O. 13599 and section placed on OFAC’s Specially Designated [IRAN]. 560.304 of the ITSR, 31 CFR part 560. Nationals and Blocked Persons List Identified as meeting the definition of the 12.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of KWAZULU-NATAL the Provision of Efficient Transport
    UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL The Provision of Efficient Transport Services in the Iranian Maritime and Land Transport Interface By Farhad Razkhaneh 206525761 A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics School of Accounting, Economics and Finance College of Law & Management Studies Supervisor: Professor Trevor Jones 2014 ii Acknowledgements I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who helped me through the process and preparation of this Doctoral Thesis. My sincere gratitude goes to my supervisor, Professor Trevor Jones, who meticulously read through the drafts and provided me with valuable editorial suggestions and guided me with technical comments, criticisms, guidance and support through the various stages of the writing and completion of this thesis. His efforts, knowledge and experience in international trade and transportation, ports and maritime, and merchant shipping transport related issues, have contributed towards the success of this thesis. The research and writing of this thesis, whilst at times difficult and challenging, has contributed towards my academic knowledge development, with which I hope to humbly contribute, through further writing, teaching and research, back to society. Special thanks to Professor Geoff Harris for reading earlier chapters of this thesis and providing the valuable suggestions and guidance to me. I extend my thanks to friends in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Dev Tewari and Post Doc Mr. O.B. Saiedo for their help. In addition, I am grateful for support and interest shown by colleagues in the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping lines and individuals in the freight industry, in particular Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • See the Document
    IN THE NAME OF GOD IRAN NAMA RAILWAY TOURISM GUIDE OF IRAN List of Content Preamble ....................................................................... 6 History ............................................................................. 7 Tehran Station ................................................................ 8 Tehran - Mashhad Route .............................................. 12 IRAN NRAILWAYAMA TOURISM GUIDE OF IRAN Tehran - Jolfa Route ..................................................... 32 Collection and Edition: Public Relations (RAI) Tourism Content Collection: Abdollah Abbaszadeh Design and Graphics: Reza Hozzar Moghaddam Photos: Siamak Iman Pour, Benyamin Tehran - Bandarabbas Route 48 Khodadadi, Hatef Homaei, Saeed Mahmoodi Aznaveh, javad Najaf ...................................... Alizadeh, Caspian Makak, Ocean Zakarian, Davood Vakilzadeh, Arash Simaei, Abbas Jafari, Mohammadreza Baharnaz, Homayoun Amir yeganeh, Kianush Jafari Producer: Public Relations (RAI) Tehran - Goragn Route 64 Translation: Seyed Ebrahim Fazli Zenooz - ................................................ International Affairs Bureau (RAI) Address: Public Relations, Central Building of Railways, Africa Blvd., Argentina Sq., Tehran- Iran. www.rai.ir Tehran - Shiraz Route................................................... 80 First Edition January 2016 All rights reserved. Tehran - Khorramshahr Route .................................... 96 Tehran - Kerman Route .............................................114 Islamic Republic of Iran The Railways
    [Show full text]
  • US Covert Operations Toward Iran, February-November 1979
    This article was downloaded by: [Tulane University] On: 05 January 2015, At: 09:36 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Middle Eastern Studies Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/fmes20 US Covert Operations toward Iran, February–November 1979: Was the CIA Trying to Overthrow the Islamic Regime? Mark Gasiorowski Published online: 01 Aug 2014. Click for updates To cite this article: Mark Gasiorowski (2015) US Covert Operations toward Iran, February–November 1979: Was the CIA Trying to Overthrow the Islamic Regime?, Middle Eastern Studies, 51:1, 115-135, DOI: 10.1080/00263206.2014.938643 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00263206.2014.938643 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.
    [Show full text]
  • Animal Bite Incidence in the County of Shush, Iran Hamid Kassiri1*, Ali Kassiri2, Masoud Lotfi1, Babak Shahkarami3, Seyed-Sahar Hosseini1
    Journal of Acute Disease (2014)26-30 26 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Acute Disease journal homepage: www.jadweb.org Document heading doi: 10.1016/S2221-6189(14)60006-8 Animal bite incidence in the County of Shush, Iran Hamid Kassiri1*, Ali Kassiri2, Masoud Lotfi1, Babak Shahkarami3, Seyed-Sahar Hosseini1 1School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 3Shush Health Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Shush, Iran ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Objective: To determine the epidemiology of animal bites during a five-year period (2004- Received 16 September 2013 Methods: 2008) in Shush County, Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran. In a descriptive cross Received in revised form 15 October 2013 S C Accepted 11 November 2013 sectional study, all cases of animal bites referred to the health centers in hush ounty were 2004 2008 T Available online 20 March 2014 investigated during - . he necessary data were recorded on the special questionnaire that contains questResults:ions abo ut bite animal, age, sex, occupation, treatment, the bite site on the Keywords: body and so forth. Out of a total of 2 283 cases that underwent the animal bites during Animal bite the mentioned five years, 1 771 people (77.6%) were male and 511 (22.4%) were female .Most Incidence rate cases were related to age groups 10-20 (33.4%) and 20-30 (22%) years. The average incidence rate Rabies of animal bite during these years was determined as 2.82 cases per 1 000 people.
    [Show full text]
  • 13893 Sunday FEBRUARY 28, 2021 Esfand 10, 1399 Rajab 16, 1442
    WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13893 Sunday FEBRUARY 28, 2021 Esfand 10, 1399 Rajab 16, 1442 Iran to delete IAEA Iranian coach will lead Israeli ship whose owner Violent modern world suffers cameras’ data if volleyball team in next has links with Mossad chief from lack of common humane sanctions not lifted Page 3 Olympics: Davarzani Page 3 damaged in Oman Sea Page 5 language: Majidi Page 8 Zarif calls attacks and events in Iraq suspicious TEHRAN – The foreign ministers of Iran Iraqi forces in border areas of Iraq and and Iraq held talks in Tehran on Satur- Syria, dismissing the raids as a violation day to discuss the different dimensions of the two countries’ sovereignty, according of political and economic cooperation as to an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement. well as border exchanges between the two Zarif described as “suspicious” the re- countries. cent attacks and events in Iraq, saying Open seasonSee page 3 During his meeting with his Iraqi counter- they could be aimed at disrupting Teh- part Fuad Hussein, Iranian Foreign Minister ran-Baghdad relations as well as security Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the and stability in Iraq. United States’ dangerous move to attack Continued on page 3 Tehran to host 1st EAEU intl. expo in mid-May TEHRAN - Tehran is planning to host an exhibition along with the Eurasian coun- international exhibition for introducing tries so that the two sides would be able the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU)’s to have positive negotiations and expand trade potentials during May 17-20, IRIB their mutual cooperation in the future.
    [Show full text]
  • SPECIAL ESSAY: Kurds in Iraq and Syria: Aspirations and Realities in a Changing Middle East See P
    FMSO.LEAVENWORTH.ARMY.MIL/OEWATCH Vol. 5 Issue #07 July 2015 Foreign Military Studies Office OEWATCH FOREIGN NEWS & PERSPECTIVES OF THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOREIGN NEWS & PERSPECTIVES OF THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT SPECIAL ESSAY: Kurds in Iraq and Syria: Aspirations and Realities in a Changing Middle East See p. 71 TURKEY Helicopter 3 A New Kurdish Star in Turkish Politics 27 The Hair-Raising Business of Assassins for Hire RUSSIA, UKRAINE 4 Kurds Push Back ISIS in Tal Abyad 28 The New Generation Cartel of Jalisco “Grows 44 Russian Missiles that Compel to Peace 5 Turkey to Open Military Base in Qatar Like Cancer” in Mexico 46 Russia Puts US Navy on Notice with Improved “Shipping Container” Missile MIDDLE EAST INDO-PACIFIC ASIA 48 3D Printers Will “Bake” Future Russian UAVs 7 Countering the Islamic State inside Iran 29 A Controversial Project: Building the Kra Canal 50 Russia Fields New Tactical C2 System with 8 Son of Former President Sent to Prison 31 Piracy on the Rise in Southeast Asia FBCB2-like Capabilities 9 “We Are at War with the United States and its 32 Marcos Expresses Concern Over Bangsamoro 52 Russian Airborne Will Add Division, and Expand Allies” Police Turning into a Private Military to 60,000 Paratroopers 10 Syria’s Army of Conquest 33 Indonesian Leader Reaffirms the Government’s 54 Russian Federation Opens First Joint Training 12 Saudi Arabia’s Border Troubles Commitment to Religious Harmony Base and Simulation Center 34 ASEAN-Chinese Declaration Put to the Test 56 Armenia and Iran Discuss Military Cooperation AFRICA
    [Show full text]
  • Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian)
    Coor din ates: 3 2 °N 5 3 °E Iran Irān [ʔiːˈɾɒːn] ( listen)), also known اﯾﺮان :Iran (Persian [11] [12] Islamic Republic of Iran as Persia (/ˈpɜːrʒə/), officially the Islamic (Persian) ﺟﻣﮫوری اﺳﻼﻣﯽ اﯾران Jomhuri-ye ﺟﻤﮭﻮری اﺳﻼﻣﯽ اﯾﺮان :Republic of Iran (Persian Eslāmi-ye Irān ( listen)),[13] is a sovereign state in Jomhuri-ye Eslāmi-ye Irān Western Asia.[14][15] With over 81 million inhabitants,[7] Iran is the world's 18th-most-populous country.[16] Comprising a land area of 1,648,195 km2 (636,37 2 sq mi), it is the second-largest country in the Middle East and the 17 th-largest in the world. Iran is Flag Emblem bordered to the northwest by Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan,[a] to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the Motto: اﺳﺗﻘﻼل، آزادی، ﺟﻣﮫوری اﺳﻼﻣﯽ northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan Esteqlāl, Āzādi, Jomhuri-ye Eslāmi and Pakistan, to the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf ("Independence, freedom, the Islamic of Oman, and to the west by Turkey and Iraq. The Republic") [1] country's central location in Eurasia and Western Asia, (de facto) and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, give it Anthem: ﺳرود ﻣﻠﯽ ﺟﻣﮫوری اﺳﻼﻣﯽ اﯾران geostrategic importance.[17] Tehran is the country's capital and largest city, as well as its leading economic Sorud-e Melli-ye Jomhuri-ye Eslāmi-ye Irān ("National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran") and cultural center. 0:00 MENU Iran is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations,[18][19] beginning with the formation of the Elamite kingdoms in the fourth millennium BCE.
    [Show full text]
  • ISIS and the Sunni Separatists Aim Fire at Iran Visit WEB Receive Newsletter
    Opinion Document 62/2017 5 June, 2017 Ely Karmon* ISIS and the Sunni Separatists Aim Fire at Iran Visit WEB Receive Newsletter ISIS and the Sunni Separatists Aim Fire at Iran Abstract: Iran has a central and controversial role in Middle East politics. It is on the one hand one of the intervening actors in the conflicts of the zone and on the other it suffers from terrorism in its territory, in the Baluchistan and Iranian Kurdistan as well as from ISIS. It is to be foreseen an increase of the terrorist activity of this group in the country once the ISIS is defeated in Syria and Irak. Keywords: Iran, terrorism, ISIS, Baluchistan, Kurdistan * NOTE: The ideas contained in the Opinion Documents are the responsibility of their authors, without necessarily reflecting the thinking of the IEEE or the Ministry of Defense. Documento de Opinión 62/2017 1 ISIS and the Sunni Separatists Aim Fire at Iran Ely Karmon The ISIS threat On March 26, 2017, the ISIS information office in Diyala Province, Iraq, published a 37- minute video in Farsi, with some parts in the Baluchi dialect, titled, "Persia – Between Yesterday and Today." The video accuses Iranian Shi'ites of committing many crimes against Sunnis and oppressing the Sunni population of Iran, "exporting the revolution," spreading Shi'ism, and secretly collaborating with the U.S. and Israel. The main speakers in the video are Abu Faruq al-Farisi, speaking Farsi, Abu Mujahid al- Baluchi, speaking Baluchi, and Abu Sa'd al-Ahwazi (from the Ahwaz region). The three speakers call on Iranian Sunnis to rise up against the current Iranian regime and “join the path of jihad.” The group is comprised of "Persian" fighters belonging to the Salman Al- Farisi Brigade, training in urban combat and firing at targets with images of Khomeini, Khamenei, and other Iranian leaders.1 Consistent with ISIS practice, the video documents the execution of four members of Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias in Iraq.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran and the Persian Gulf
    HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Publication Series Symbolic Name Strategies: Iran and the Persian Gulf Vedran Obućina Number 14: March 2015 About the Author Vedran Obućina is a Political scientist at the Society for Mediterranean Studies, Rijeka, Croatia. He is a PhD researcher on topic of Political Symbolism of the Islamic Republic. Disclaimer The views expressed in the HH Sheikh Nasser al- Mohammad al-Sabah Publication Series are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the School or of Durham University. These wide ranging Research Working Papers are products of the scholarship under the auspices of the al-Sabah Programme and are disseminated in this early form to encourage debate on the important academic and policy issues of our time. Copyright belongs to the Author(s). Bibliographical references to the HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Publication Series should be as follows: Author(s), Paper Title (Durham, UK: al-Sabah Number, date). 2 | P a g e Symbolic Name Strategies: Iran and the Persian Gulf Vedran Obućina INTRODUCTION National and regional identities have always been and still are connected to territory. The sovereignty is largely perceived biased to a territory, although there are some authors who regard territoriality and state autonomy as irrelevant for the sovereignty. Of course, overwhelming number of countries in the world have territory. However, a country does not stem from nature. Rather, it is imaginative formation, and sovereignty cannot be based exclusively on territory, but primarily on imaginative community. The state sovereignty is by far the end result of particular discourse and imaginary.
    [Show full text]
  • State, Dissidents, and Contention: Iran, 1979-2010
    STATE, DISSIDENTS, AND CONTENTION: IRAN, 1979-2010 HAMID REZAI SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2012 ©2012 Hamid Rezai All rights reserved ABSTRACT State, Dissidents, and Contention: Iran, 1979-2010 Hamid Rezai Why after almost a decade of silence and “successful” crackdowns of contention during the 1980s has Iran witnessed once again waves of increasing popular protest? What are the processes and mechanisms behind the routinization of collective actions in Iran since the early 1990s, which continue despite state repression? Why and under what circumstances does a strong authoritarian state that has previously marginalized its contenders tolerate some forms of contention despite the state’s continued repressive capacity? And finally, to what extent are available social movement theories capable of explaining the Iranian case? In “State, Dissidents, and Contention: Iran, 1979-2010” I engage theories of social movements and contentious politics in order to examine the emergence, development, and likely outcomes of popular contention in contemporary Iran. My study is the first project of its kind to focus on elite factionalism and its impact on popular mobilization in contemporary Iran. Although other scholars have extensively written on elite factionalism in postrevolutionary Iran, they have not analyzed the implications of the inter-elite conflict for the emergence and development of social protests against the Islamic Republic. While this study primarily utilizes political process and resource mobilization models, it acknowledges the importance of economic, ideological, and breakdown approaches for the interpretation of the emergence and development of popular mobilization in contemporary Iran.
    [Show full text]