ITPCM International Commentary Vol. VIII no. 29, April 2012

The ITPCM International Commentary

International Training Programme ISSN. 2239-7949 for Conflict Management

in this issue: BEYOND THE TAKEN FOR IRAN GRANTED Dear Readers,

I am very pleased to send to all of you Iran and we are extremely thankful to future challenges this country is fac- our warmest greetings from Pisa. all those who contributed to it in or- ing after the recent national elections. This issue of our ITPCM Internation- der to present their ideas and feelings Iran occupies a high position in the al Commentary is entirely devoted to about the present situation and the agenda of the International Commu-

continued

Internal Divisions, Iranian Women A tyranny defending International Tensions by Mariasole Continiello, p. 15 the tyrannized? Interview with Roberto Toscano, p. 5 by Peyman Majidzadeh , p. 25 The rising of a new The Iranian Nuclear Crisis fundamentalism? Boycotting last unfair by David Cliff, p.8 by Arman Parian, p. 19 election by Amir Navaei, p. 28 The Guardian Council The impact of sanctions by Peyman Majidzadeh , p. 11 by Mohsen Omam & Negin about the ITPCM: Sohrabkhani, p. 22 Trainings Offer 2012, pp. 31

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nity and represents a “stress-test” for expanded the topics addressed trying the international security mechanism. to make them more and more focused As a matter of fact all relevant actors, on the specific needs of those serving from the G8 to the G20, from the UN in international field operations. You to regional organisations, from single will find as well a few info about an States to NGO’s have devoted at- international Workshop on “Italy and tention and energies to the specific China in PKO” that we will organise situation in this country. The pub- on June 7 and 8 here in Pisa in coop- lic opinion, worldwide, is interested eration with the Confucius Institute. in understanding what will happen in the next future and, in the mean- As the next issue of our Commen- time, worried about the war scenarios tary is due to appear in July 2012, which are mentioned from time to we would warmly invite all of you time. to send us short contributions about the activities you are carrying out or The Articles published in our Com- about specific issues you are dealing mentary while highlighting the com- with: these contribution will make plexity of the issues at stake, offer a our Commentary more appealing unique opportunity to better under- and vivid. stand the present situation, the vari- ous interest involved and the posi- I wish to all of you and your families tions of the different stakeholders. all the best and a Happy Easter

In this framework we feel that every peace-loving human being and insti- Andrea de GUTTRY tution has to give his/her contribu- tion to help changing this situation: the ITPCM is fully committed in this direction and is ready to contribute, through our research and training ac- tivities, to prepare human resources the ITPCM to adequately deal with these issues. International Commentary We have organized so far several ac- tivities related to Iran: from a research project on the present role played by Editor in chief: Iranian civil society to the implemen- Francesco Ceccarelli tation of the Iran Electoral Archives Director and Scientific Supervision: (www.iear.sssup.it), a comprehensive Andrea de Guttry source of information including laws, high quality documents and academ- Editor: ic articles on Iranian elections which Michele Gonnelli represents a concrete answer both to the scarcity of available information Contributors to this issue: and the controversial debate growing David Cliff, MariaSole Continiello, around the Iran electoral Process. Peyman Majidzadeh, Amir Navaei, In the second part of the ITPCM Mohsen Omam, Arman Parian, Negin Newsletter you will find, as usu- Sohrabkhani, Roberto Toscano al, additional info on new training courses which we are planning to de- Graphic Design: liver in 2012: you will notice that we Michele Gonnelli

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A matter of ambition

The Iranian political and institutional When discussing its nuclear ambi- that helps explaining links and incon- system generated by the 1979 revolu- tions experts keep considering it as an sistent attitudes towards those coun- tion is extremely complex. To get an irrational actor. For fear in this case, tries differently interested by the so idea it is worth worth mentioning that a potential nuclear weapon in un- called Arab spring. here following bodies: The Supreme safe hands would not just constitute Leader – the Rahbar, or the Jurisprudent, a violation of the Non-Proliferation In this issue we try to address some of that is the head of the velayat-e-faqih; Treaty, but also and more importantly, the questions here above mentioned The Guardian Council, charged with in- a serious threat to the regional and in- and raised, in the aftermath of last terpreting the Constitution, supervis- ternational security. parliamentary election. But we made ing elections, and approving of can- An unconfessed underestimation an extra effort. We tried to represent didates; The President, the executive maybe of Iran and of the Iranians has and elaborate on those matters ac- branch; The Assembly of Experts, most been for years a common trait in the cording to both perspectives, West- and least important branch of the gov- Western opinion, whilst more recent- ern and Iranian. In particular we are ernment supposed to be monitoring ly, inflating the danger of the Islamic very grateful to all contributors who the Supreme Leader’s performance; Republic has become very fashion- accepted to be part of the project. It The Expediency Discernment Council set able. is first and above all our quest for a up in 1988 to resolve conflicts and dif- democratic debate. Or maybe we are ferences between the Guardian Coun- As to the Iranians. They seem to pos- just ambitious. cil and the Parliament; The Revolution- sess at the same time a superiority and ary Guards or Pasdaran, intended to an inferiority complex – very interest- protect the country’s Islamic system; ingly conveyed by the Farsi word ogh- The Majles – the Parliament; The Chief deh. It refers to both the perceived and of the Judiciary, in addition to a Minis- the perceiving - with respect in partic- ter of Justice and the head of the Su- ular to the Western world - defining preme Court; plus some others. much of their behaviour. Ambition is Just by looking at this list even the here and again a keyword. A country most inexperienced scholar would that in 1979 managed to get rid of the Michele Gonnelli agree about one thing: the strong so- American Shah is also likely to be very phistication of the Iranian formal and much attracted by conspiracy ideas substantive constitution. This system, and fears for foreign plots. Martyr- originally designed in order to safe- dom and the typical Shiite victimhood guard the democratic achievements of are also often occurring ingredients. the 1979 revolution is very ambitious indeed. And it is bearing this ambi- Why should all these aspects be kept tiousness in mind that again, even the ignored when dealing with the Ira- most inexperienced scholar, diplomat nian issue, believing maybe that they or adviser should look at the Iranian are irrelevant? It is a fact that who- international role and national stanc- ever is ruling or going to rule over es nowadays. the country in the near future will not renounce to its nuclear ambitions. Too often the Western world when in- The nuclear programme enjoys in- vestigating and studying the current deed widespread support. It is a fact political events tends to adopt a mere- that the most representative slogan ly western perspective, irrespective of of the Green Movement was ‘Not to the cultural and national mindset here a coup d’état government but no to an relevant. When studying and analys- indebtedness to America’, not to men- ing the Green Movement for example, tion the unquestioned and unques- often labelled as a revolution, that tionable Islamic background of most perspective tries to put a western face of its components. It is a fact that as on the unrest. When interpreting the long as the Ayatollahs maintain their country foreign policy and its desire support among the people, it is rather to play a major role in the Middle East they than the politicians who will de- and the Central Asian theatre, politi- cide Iran’s role in guiding the human- cal analysts tend to forget about the ity. It is a fact that the Islamic Revo- audacity of a country that sees itself lution knows no national boundaries, as a potential regional superpower. as Ayatollah Khomeini once said, and

3 ITPCM International Commentary DecemberApril 20122011 ISSN. 2239-7949 pp. 5 - 32 Contributions

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Yazd, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

Interview with Roberto Toscano

Former Italian ambassador IRAN, to Iran 2003 - 2008 INTERNAL DIVISIONS INTERNATIONAL TENSIONS INTERVIEWED by Michele Gonnelli

Iran today is again in the limelight. consultation just took place (2 of an internationally debated nuclear The clamours and the rumours raised march 2012) and the country is again programme, threats of military by the 2009 presidential election are ‘smoothly’ approaching the 2013 intervention and widespread still echoing while the parliamentary decisive test. All this in the backdrop adoption of new sanctions. In

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order to understand Iran today, its a coalition of clergy and liberal on their roofs. This means that there internal political dynamics and the capitalists, seized power by ousting is a new young opposition that has international tensions it is facing we the leftist and democratic components grown within the regime - comprising have to recall what happened in 1979, of the first hour popular uprising. students, the unemployed, women’s at the time of the Islamic Revolution. Afterwards, the Supreme Leader organisations and minorities - but Roberto Toscano, former Italian and the Pasdaran - the Army of the who cannot be depicted as secular or ambassador to Iran between 2003 and Guardians of the Islamic Revolution anti-Islamic. In the end the movement 2008, is firmly of that opinion. It is - turned into the strongest political failed. As in the working class strike of pivotal importance to look at the and ‘religious’ powers within the committees in 1979, it lacked a proper main actors of that page of Iranian country. The former, through the strategy, clear and unquestioned history if we want to be able to read charismatic personality of Ayatollah leadership , coordination with other and interpret the actual scenario. Khomeini, who by means of the civil society institutions and stronger Of himself he says “I’m much more unification and transfer of both links with the political world and interested in the players than in the theological and political power to parties. The alliance with Mousavi game”. Who were those players then, the highest religious authority - the proved to be less solid and monolithic that back in 1979, opposing the Shah, velayat-e faqih - managed to achieve than necessary. were looking for a regime change? a position of supremacy. The latter, en tant que protector of the country’s The Guardian Council has its last The cultural background of the Islamic system and creed - al-Islam word on the candidates that can revolution was extremely wide and buna al-hal, Islam is the solution – and be elected as presidents (head of diverse. It has to be found in the opposing all subversive elements, the Government). What are the traditional leftist-Marxist parties and has become over the years, especially implications in the upcoming 2013 the working classes, who played a during Ahmadinejad mandates, presidential elections? decisive role in the first phase, then entangled with the country’s in the democratic and the republican political and economic affairs. With The Guardian Council is charged components, as well as the old roughly 250,000 military personnel with interpreting the Constitution of nationalists and followers of the controlling over 30% of the Iranian Iran, supervising the election of the previously overthrown Mossadegh. economy, there is no other system in Assembly of Experts, the President Lastly, but not less importantly, the world which can be compared and the Majlis, and the approval of in a second phase it included the to it. Although some figures may be candidates. The constitutionally- intellectuals as well as the mullahs - slightly overestimated, they still give mandated 12-member council traditional clergy – that felt left out an idea of the phenomenon. Hence, examines all legislation passed by of the earlier economic boom, and the role of the clergy has been severely the Majlis (the parliament) in order whose political weight after having squeezed due to the rise of these two to ensure that it conforms to Islamic expanded enormously has ever since main powers. law – since 1982 it has refused to experienced ups and downs. Many of ratify several legislative proposals those players are still or again part of How do the 2009 elections differ from that would have restricted property the game today. those of the previous period? Has rights and enacted comprehensive the civil society awakened? Who is land reform. The council can also The political role of the Shi’a clergy representing the ‘where is my vote’ disqualify candidates to any one of the proved to be decisive in more than one green movement and why did it fail above-mentioned elections if reputed occasion in Iranian history. Going in the end? ineligible, on a number of grounds back to 1892, the clergy, which allied that are often considered as arbitrary. itself with the merchants, played The 2009 presidential election This vetting procedure constitutes a a major role during the Tobacco that controversially confirmed serious threat to Iranian democracy Boycott; again in 1906, at the time Ahmadinejad as head of the and limits the possibility for reform- of the Constitutional revolution and Government for a second term was minded candidates of taking part in once again in 1979 at the time of the the first one, since the outbreak of the process. The consequences are Islamic revolution. It seems however the Revolution, to have witnessed self-explanatory. that nowadays the people of Iran are a sudden 20% increase in the disenchanted with the clergy. Did number of voters. This represents Does the current Iranian president, the alliance with the bazaar (the an unprecedented and unexpected Ahmadinejad, still have a great merchants) fall out of favour? And outcome in electoral terms and in the influence over the majority of the why? Iranian long quest for democracy. As Iranians or a large portion of them? we know, the street demonstrations Why? Nowadays Iran has witnessed the and riots that followed merged into rise of other strong powers that the ‘Green movement’. Protesters’ This is due to his populism. In some have eroded the traditional political first request and question was ‘where ways he can be compared to Chavez role of the clergy. In February 1979 is my vote?’ whilst many of them at in Venezuela. He is not a clergyman Khomeini’s forces, supported by night were chanting “Allah-u-Akbar” but he has received the approval

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and the support of the traditional confrontation likely to develop? a real option? clergy. He keeps the people, on the one hand, and the elites, on the other, The Parliament is weak in Iran, Sanctions would make sense only together in a common and apparently and from the election emerged an if their goal was to induce Iran to a compact consensus. He can interpret even more compliant body. For the more flexible negotiating position. and somehow address the persistent Supreme Leader it could be easier to But if, instead, they are aimed at underground Iranian resentment of dismiss the office of the President in Iran’s surrender (i.e. giving up humble people towards the more a further consolidation of his power. uranium enrichment, which is a right educated, as brilliantly depicted under the NPT), then they are only in the recently released movie “A From an international perspective, a stepping stone towards war. One separation”; at the same time, he Iran is today made the subject of should reflect on the fact that an is capable of obtaining the support numerous debates and political attack on Iran would just strengthen of all those who, in a corporatist (or analyses, with regard to its the regime against external ‘enemies’ “crony capitalist”) economy such as confrontation with Israel, the USA in the attempt to safeguard those Iran’s, derive vast profits from their and other international powers. The basic national security interests that link with the regime as well as with alleged PMD – potential military can promptly re-compact all Iranians the revolutionary guards, all of whom dimension – of its nuclear programme under a common roof. It is at this level are preoccupied with the defence of does not comply with the obligations in fact that the regime can count on a the status quo. Indeed the Pasdaran descending from the NPT and the broader consensus and popularity. clearly understand that they would Safeguards agreements. Do you think Instead, as soon as we move from that have no future without the Islamic Iran is likely – sooner or later - to level towards the fulfilment of more Republic, and this makes them very pack in its rhetoric and ambition as rigorous Islamist revolutionary goals, different from the military in Arab a nuclear power? And what is the or towards even more ambitious countries. ultimate goal hidden behind it? anti-imperialistic policies, popular support sinks sharply. Similarly, for Then, what about the internal Iran will not give up its nuclear power all the reasons here mentioned, a divisions in the regime, the rhetoric nor its ambitions as a nuclear military attack is not – or should not confrontation between the Supreme power. Not in the foreseeable future, be - an option; there is no such thing Leader and the President? Again, not until it achieves its ultimate as a “surgical war”. Those who are what is or would-be the role of the goal. Their main objective is not the in favour of war are in favour of the clergy here? development of nuclear weapons regime, a regime that has become nor the destruction of Israel, but the dysfunctional and, though not on the Ahmadinejad and his office director, formal recognition by the USA and verge of collapse, is quickly losing father-in-law, and right-hand man the substantial acknowledgement ideological cohesion and popular Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei are claimed from neighbouring countries as a support. The 2009 election outcome, to be members of a messianic sect leading regional power in the Middle- the Green Movement, the tensions that aspires to change the ideological East and Central Asian theatres. In between Ayatollah Khamenei and infrastructure of the regime. They this respect EU foreign policy and President Ahmadinejad (between claim or are said to have a direct attitude is for Iran far less relevant clerical rulers and messianic relationship with the Hidden Imam, than it is for Europe. Apart from nationalism) is proof of this dwindling the Mahdi, that is the Shi’ite messiah. regime rhetoric and usurped slogans, support. But a military attack, just In other words, Ahmadinejad would anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism like in 1980 when Saddam attacked now have the strenght, given this are not widespread feelings among Iran, would give the regime a new privileged relationship, to run the Iranians as they are supposed or lease on life by allowing it to play the country on his own, with no need believed to be. nationalist card. for the jurisprudent, the velayat-e faqih, who is currently represented In November 2011, the release of Last question, in a single statement. by Khamenei. Beyond the official the last IAEA report on the Iranian If Iran had nuclear weapons would it doctrinal and political confrontation compliance with the Nuclear be really temped to attack Israel? some believe there is also a different Non- Proliferation Treaty and approach to the nuclear issue. implementation of the Safeguards No. After all my years in Tehran I came Basically President Ahmadinejad Agreement, raised controversial to understand and know these people. wished to publicly announce Iran’s reactions and paved the way to Nobody is actually likely or eager to military nuclear program and re- the adoption of stricter bilateral commit suicide. And this is not just open a dialogue with the USA, while sanctions. Also, the EU jointly my opinion. In Washington both the Khamenei preferred to keep it under broadened their restrictive measures Director of National Intelligence and wraps. targeting the sources of finance for the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the Iranian nuclear programme, have expressed their conviction that Given the outcome of last and complemented already existing Iran is a rational actor. A problematic parliamentary election - held on 2 sanctions. Do you agree with the one, certainly, but definitely not a March 2012 - and its main political policy of sanctions and what is their suicidal one. implications, how is this internal potential impact? Is a military attack

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Damavand Mountain Mushroom, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

by David Cliff

Researcher at VERTIC THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR CRISIS NATIONAL AMBITIONS, WESTERN ALLEGATIONS & IAEA’S REPORTS

In recent months, tensions over the International Atomic Energy Agency for developing nuclear explosive de- Iranian nuclear programme have es- (IAEA) – of a broad-ranging over- vices) through the activation of a new calated considerably. This increase, view of suspected Iranian nuclear enrichment facility. and the associated rise in Western weapons-related research and devel- pressure on Iran’s government (not opment. And second, an increase in On the first point, the IAEA’s overview to mention the talk of war), is large- Iran’s uranium enrichment capability of the ‘possible military dimensions’ ly the result of two factors. First, the (highly-enriched uranium being one to Iran’s nuclear programme was set November 2011 publication – by the of the two kinds of material essential out in a 12-page annex to its quarterly

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verification report on the country.1 As judgement of November 2011 that more than four nuclear weapons.3 a non-nuclear-weapon state party to some activities relevant to nuclear (Further processing, to produce ura- the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty weapons development in Iran may nium metal from the enriched UF6, (NPT), Iran is prohibited from manu- still be ongoing. would also be required.) facturing nuclear arms or other nucle- ar explosive devices. But in remark- Ultimately, the most crucial factor At the Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment able detail, this annex highlighted for any state seeking to build nuclear Plant, Iran has been enriching UF6 up IAEA concerns over alleged Iranian weapons is their acquisition of suffi- to the level of 20 per cent since Febru- work on several components – includ- cient quantities of appropriate fissile ary 2010. It is a feature of the uranium ing fast-acting detonators – that have material. Without enough of the right enrichment process that much of the potential relevance to the develop- material, building a nuclear bomb is hard work of enrichment is encoun- ment of a nuclear weapons capability. a technical impossibility. And get- tered in reaching lower enrichment Amongst other concerns, the annex ting hold of such material is widely levels. Enriching uranium to 20 per noted further that Iran has report- regarded as being the most techni- cent is considerably more energy-in- edly carried out modelling studies cally-challenging aspect of nuclear tensive than further enriching 20 per relevant to nuclear weapons develop- bomb-making. As noted above, high- cent material up to a 90 per cent en- ment, that it may at one stage have ly-enriched uranium is one of the two richment level. As a result, Iranian en- carried out preparatory work for a kinds of fissile material essential for richment up to 20 per cent represents, nuclear test explosion, and that it ap- the manufacture of nuclear weapons; for many, an acute cause for concern. pears to have also ventured into the the other alternative is to use pluto- According to Iranian estimates, be- realm of so-called ‘hydrodynamic’ ex- nium. Iran is not known to have a re- tween mid-September 2011 and mid- periments. Such experiments (which processing facility – where plutonium February 2012, approximately 21.7kg seek to investigate how materials will can be extracted from spent nuclear of 20 per cent enriched UF6 enriched behave in the conditions expected in fuel – but it is known today to have was produced at the pilot plant. The a nuclear explosion) are noted by the three uranium enrichment facilities, Agency has previously verified that IAEA to be ‘strong indicators of pos- all of which are operational (despite as of 13 September 2011, Iran had pro- sible weapons development.’ Nego- repeated resolutions from the IAEA duced a total of 73.7kg of 20 per cent tiating access to the site where these Board of Governors and the UN Secu- enriched UF6 there. Thus, assuming experiments are alleged to have taken rity Council calling for Iran’s enrich- Iran’s estimates for the September- place, Parchin, has been a point of ment work to stop). February period are correct, since en- particular friction between Iran and richment up to 20 per cent at the Na- two high-level IAEA delegations that Two of these facilities – the Fuel En- tanz pilot plan began, Iran had as of have visited the country for discus- richment Plant and the Pilot Fuel En- February 2012 produced some 95.4kg sions so far this year. richment Plant – are located at Iran’s of this kind of material at this facility. Natanz nuclear site. In brief, enrich- In many Western minds, Iran is set ment refers to the process of increas- Between the release of the IAEA’s No- on developing either a ‘virtual’ nu- ing the proportion of uranium-235 vember 2011 verification report on clear weapons capability – that is, the (the fissile isotope found in natural Iran and its most recent update, Iran technical know-how and the material uranium) in relation to natural urani- also began enriching UF6 up to 20 required to produce such devices at um’s more predominant isotope, ura- per cent at its other enrichment site: short notice – or weapons outright. nium-238. In centrifuge-based enrich- Fordow. The start of operations at Such mindsets are not surprising. ment (of the sort used by Iran), natu- Fordow represents a significant new Iran’s record of less-than-full coopera- ral uranium is first combined with development (if not an unexpected tion with the IAEA over suspect as- fluorine to form uranium hexafluo- one) in Iran’s efforts to build up a pects of its nuclear programme (some ride (UF6). The latest IAEA report on stockpile of enriched uranium, and of which are mentioned above, others Iran, released on 24 February 2012, to increase its overall production ca- below) has done nothing to support revealed that some 5,451kg of five per pacity. Between mid-December 2011 Iranian claims that its programme is cent enriched UF6 had been produced and mid-February 2012, the Fordow for peaceful purposes only. Techni- at the Fuel Enrichment Plant between Fuel Enrichment Plant – constructed cal estimates of how far Iran is from the start of production there in Feb- in secret and exposed, unfinished, by either a bomb or from the capability ruary 2007 and early February 2012.2 Western powers in September 2009 to produce one vary widely, however, As the Washington-based Institute for – reportedly produced some 13.8kg and those estimates are often diffi- Science and International Security has of 20 per cent enriched UF6 (accord- cult in any case to divorce from un- noted, this much material, if further ing to Iranian estimates). Again, as- derlying political and security biases. enriched to weapons-grade (that is, to suming the correctness of Iran’s esti- Of particular concern is the IAEA’s an enrichment level of around 90 per mates, between Natanz and Fordow cent and above), is enough to make the country has therefore produced an overall total of around 109.2kg of 1 ‘Implementation of the NPT Safe- guards Agreement and relevant provisions 2 ‘Implementation of the NPT Safe- of Security Council resolutions in the Islamic guards Agreement and relevant provisions of 3 ‘ISIS Analysis of IAEA Iran Safe- Republic of Iran’, GOV/2011/65, 8 November Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Re- guards Report’, David Albright, Paul Brannan 2011. public of Iran’, GOV/2012/9, 24 February 2012. and Christina Walrond, 24 February 2012.

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20 per cent enriched UF6. That said, the so-called ‘Additional Protocol’, a plus Germany).4 But while the stakes if further enriched to weapons-grade, voluntary legal instrument that some are high, and rising, expectations the amount of uranium metal that 114 states around the world are im- are low. Previous rounds of talks be- could be produced from this amount plementing today. Iran, though, is not tween Iran and foreign powers have of UF6 is still considerably less than one of them. Without an Additional failed to achieve much – and certainly what the IAEA consider a ‘significant Protocol in force, which then obliges not much of any enduring character. quantity’ (at which the development states to provide the IAEA with more Whether these newly-proposed nego- of one nuclear explosive device can- information and permit greater free- tiations will fare any better, and even not be ruled out). dom of access for Agency inspectors, when they will take place, remains to the IAEA is unable to provide cred- be seen. Anecdotal evidence suggests In terms of verification, the IAEA ible assurance of the absence of unde- that UN and other sanctions on Iran has regular access to both Natanz clared nuclear material and activities may be beginning to bite, so it may be and Fordow, as well as to a number in a state. That the Agency is unable that Iran is genuinely seeking some of other Iranian nuclear facilities – as to provide such assurance in the case level of meaningful multilateral en- provided for by Iran’s NPT-mandated of Iran, coupled to the country's on- gagement. But it is also just as likely ‘Comprehensive Safeguards Agree- going enrichment activities and the that the country is seeking to alleviate ment’ with the Agency. And, indeed, IAEA’s ‘serious concerns’ over pos- some of the pressure currently being the IAEA confirmed (once again) in sible weaponisation activities (which applied to it, to buy more time and February 2012 that it remains able may or may not still be taking place to dampen down the ever-increasing to verify the ‘non-diversion of de- there), makes for an understand- talk of air strikes against its nuclear clared nuclear material’ within Iran. able cause for deep unease about the facilities, while in the background The IAEA is able, in other words, to scope and purpose of Iran's nuclear continuing to press ahead with its verify that Iran’s declaration of its nu- programme. uranium enrichment activities and its clear material and activities is correct. stockpiling of fissile material. Whether Iran is providing a complete Recently, it was reported in the world’s picture, however, is another matter. press that Iran has agreed to return to the negotiating table and hold 4 ‘Fresh Iran nuclear talks agreed This very problem, which came to new talks with the ‘P5+1’ group of with world powers – EU’, BBC News Online, 6 light in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War countries (that is, the five permanent March 2012. with Iraq (where all manner of unde- members of the UN Security Council clared activities were conducted), re- sulted in the IAEA’s development of

Make tea not war, Tehran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

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Park Mellat, Tehran, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

by Peyman Majidzadeh

Human Rights Activist and Researcher THE GUARDIAN COUNCIL THE KEYSTONE OF A THEOCRATIC SYSTEM

Power Structure and Elections visory element of ‘Velayat Faqih’1 to Islamic practices. Obviously, the elec- Iranian Constitution, as the highest ensure the adherence of laws, regula- toral policy and system as one of the legal instrument in setting the rules of tions and practices of any kind to the fundamental elements of democracy the game in running the country, in- is not left out of this loop. In this note, stitutes the nation and the country as I try to portray the rule of law on free- a mixed of democracy and theocracy. 1 Guardianship of the Jurist or Provi- ness and fairness of Parliamentarian In doing so, internationally accepted dence of the Jurist is a post-Age-of-Occultation elections in the Islamic Republic of theory in Shi’a Islam which holds that Islam democratic norms and liberalism no- gives a faqih (Islamic jurist) or fuqaha (jurists) Iran specifically through the supervi- tions are intertwined with a super- custodianship over people. sory role of the Guardian Council.

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In addition to the appointed institu- Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979 and the right to vote in 1963.3 The Islamic tions mainly dominated by the clergy its amendment in 1989, together with Consultative Assembly, as the leg- such as the Guardian Council and the five electoral laws is the basis of the islative body (known as Majlis) was office of the Supreme Leader, Article legal framework for governing elec- established by the new regime, right 6 of the Constitution permits four tions. after the 1979 revolution. Religious elected institutions: president, par- Historically, Iranians have regularly minorities were not neglected in the liament, local councils and Assembly participated in elections since 1906.2 Electoral Law of 1909, and they were of Experts. The Constitution of the Iranian women have been granted guaranteed representation in the leg-

2 http://www.mideastweb.org/iranhis- 3 http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/suffrage. tory.htm htm

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islative body. Armenians, Chaldeans, my to supervise, monitor and set poli- of law. The Supreme Leader directly Zoroastrians and Jews were each allo- cies for conducting elections, whereas appoints the first six clergies and cated a seat in the parliament for over the later is mainly the implementer the six jurists are nominated by the 70 years. The practice was then adopt- and operator. head of Judiciary and elected by the ed into the Constitution of the Islamic The Islamic Consultative Assembly majority vote in the Majlis. It is very Republic of Iran in 1979. Today, Iran’s Elections Law provides rules and important to highlight that the Su- approximately 300,000 members of regulations governing the Majlis elec- preme Leader also directly appoints recognized religious minorities elect tions. Majlis is composed of 290 elect- the head of Judiciary. Their term is six a total of five representatives to the ed members directly by the people’s years, with half of the membership Majlis.4 However, there are other re- vote, based on the two-round voting changing every three years on a ran- ligious minorities in Iran who are not system for four years with no term dom draw. Guardian Council is con- recognized by the state. As per the limitations. A speaker officially leads sidered as one of the most powerful Constitution, voters elect 290 candi- the chamber. To secure their seats in institutions of Iran, if not the top one, dates to the Majlis for four-year terms. the parliament in the first round, can- and has been a male-dominated Shi’a In addition to that, constitutional pro- didates need to receive more than 25 council so far. Although there are no visions guarantee the right to direct per cent of the votes cast in their dis- legal restrictions for the selection of vote and secret ballot, and broadly set trict. If they fail to receive so, a sec- female jurists, the head of Judiciary out the conditions for the delimita- ond round of voting is held. Those has failed to nominate a single female tion of electoral districts and increase who receive less than 25% but above to be elected by the Majlis. The same in the number of parliamentary seats. a minimum standard will be on the reason applies to the Sunni Muslims. The diagram below shows the power ballot for a second round of voting in On a discriminatory law, recognized structure and power relation in the Is- about two weeks. In that ballot, the religious minorities are denied mem- lamic Republic of Iran with regards to candidate will have to get "a relative berships of the Council since the Con- electorates.5 majority" of ballots to enter the Maj- stitution stipulates that all members lis. It should be pointed out that the must be Muslim. Election Management Body number of candidates who may run in The Guardian Council has extensive It is so unfortunate that there are not the second round is restricted to twice executive and legislative jurisdic- many details on responsibilities, com- the number of seats to be filled in a tions. In addition to reviewing all position or type of Election Manage- single member constituency (i.e. two legislations passed in the Majlis and ment Bodies of Iran in the existing candidates) and one and a half times the power to reject or approve them, legal frameworks. The only exception the number of seats to be filled in a it has also the power to evaluate stat- to it is the Article 99 of Constitution multi-member constituency. Voters utes approved by the cabinet and which stipulates as follows: “The will choose names from lists of can- other state organs to ensure their con- Guardian Council has the responsi- didates. Allocated seats range from formity with Islamic criteria. While all bility of supervising the elections of 30 for Tehran to one for Iran's small- members of the Council decide on the the Assembly of Experts for Leader- est towns and villages, so a voter in compatibility of parliamentary reso- ship, the presidency, the Majlis, and the capital can write up to 30 names lutions and government ordinances referenda.”6 whereas the process elsewhere is far with constitutional law, only the six In addition to the Constitution, the simpler. clergies have the authority of deter- following five electoral laws pro- The Guardian Council’s Supervision mination of legislation compatibility vide additional details on adminis- Laws on both presidential and parlia- with the Islamic code. Estimates sug- tration and supervision of elections mentarian elections stem from Article gest that the proportion of legislation in Iran: Presidential Elections Law; 99 of the Constitution. Adopted in rejected by the Guardian in different Islamic Consultative Assembly Elec- 1985 and 1986, they sketch the Guard- periods has been between 27 to 40 per tions Law; Organization, Functions ian Council’s supervisory rights for cent. and Elections of Islamic Councils and each election. Composition, duties The interpretation of the constitu- Mayors Law; Guardian Council’s Su- and power limitation of the same tion is also vested with the Guard- pervision of the Presidential Elections committees are also outlined in the ian Council. This interpretation goes of the Islamic Republic of Iran Law; laws. further and extends to the economic Guardian Council’s Supervision of relations between Iran and the foreign the Elections of the Islamic Consulta- Guardian Council countries, relations between different tive Assembly Law The idea of establishing the Guard- state institutions or the extent of the In general, two main bodies are in ian Council was to have a body com- authority of a given state body. charge of Election Management: the posed of senior clerics overseeing leg- The Guardian Council also has the Guardian Council and the Ministry of islations passed in the Majlis to make politically sensitive duty of supervis- Interior. The first one has the autono- sure they adhere to the Islamic code. ing the elections of the Assembly of The Council convened for the first Experts, president, Majlis, and ref- 4 http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/ time after the 1979 revolution. The erenda. Dominated by conservative irf/2010_5/168264.htm Guardian Council is composed of six right factions, the Guardian Council 5 http://united4iran.org/2012/02/or- qualified clergies who are well versed has been an instrument of political gans-of-power-in-iran 6 Yasmin Alem, ‘Duality by design: the in Islamic jurisprudence, and six Mus- control, particularly in the aftermath Iranian electoral system’, IFES, March 2011 lim jurists experts in different areas of Ayatollah Khomeini’s death.

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In reinforcing its power on monitoring ration of national and local elections. have not been drastic changes in the elections, the Guardian Council inter- Drafting and finalizing election budg- composition of the Guardian Council preted Article 99 of the constitution as ets, timeline, guidelines for local elec- since its inception. Ministry of Inte- to assert its approbation supervision toral bodies, print and distribution of rior’s partisan approach on the other of elections and its applicability to all ballots, unique stamp design for each hand has damaged the integrity of stages of the electoral process, includ- election, and archiving electoral doc- elections in Iran. Absences of an in- ing the approval and rejection of can- uments are the main function of this dependent body or international elec- didates. Starting with the 4thMajlis permanent office. On top of that, Elec- toral observer, an electoral roll sys- elections in 1992, the Council started tions Office provides an overview of tem, a voter registration and empha- its vetting procedure of candidates the number of eligible voters for each sis on the role of the birth certificate in and managed to exclude many op- election. This is done to print enough Iran have increased the potential and ponents from the political scene. The ballots for each election. Normally space for fraud. Chief among these number of disqualified candidates in- EO prints 10 per cent more ballots problems is illegal voting, graveyard creased from an average of 15 per cent than the number of eligible voters to voting, ballot stuffing, and the capac- for the first three Majlis elections to 35 ensure availability of enough ballots ity of the government to print extra per cent for the 4th Majlis elections in on voting day. documentation. 1992 and 39 per cent for the 5th Majlis elections in 1996. This trend has con- Democracy without Citizens In short, Guardian Council's vetting tinued with an average of 30 per cent Islamic Republic of Iran has held 30 of candidates threatens Iranian de- of candidates disqualified from run- elections in total since its establish- mocracy. Having a closer look at the ning in each parliamentary election. ment in 1979. The political participa- constitution, particularly Articles 111, In addition to vetting the candidates, tion of the people has always been a 91, and 99, one can see the democracy the Guardian Council has the follow- point of reference for the Iranian au- versus theocracy in the Iranian po- ing major supervisory powers over thorities in their political encounters litical system. Whenever the Leader elections through establishment of both at national and international lev- becomes incapable of fulfilling his Central and Provincial Supervisory els. They have always referred to the constitutional duties, or loses one of Committees: approving elections high rate of participation in elections the qualifications mentioned in the date; receiving electoral complaints to show the legitimacy of their power Constitution, or it becomes known and disputes; annulling election in an and a sign of unity of the Iranians that he did not possess some of the electoral district or even stopping the against external threats. However, the qualifications initially, he will be dis- process; approving amendments and extent to which the political participa- missed by the Assembly of Experts. In revisions to the electoral laws; final tion is perceived to be free, fair and the other hand, the Guardian Council certification of election results. democratic has always been debated. is responsible for vetting candidates The vetting of presidential candidates for the Assembly of Experts elec- Ministry of Interior (MOI) by the Guardian Council and selec- tions. More importantly, members of In principal, MOI is the main ad- tive disqualification of almost 86 per the Guardian Council are directly or ministrator of all election related ac- cent of them over the last thirty years indirectly appointed by the Supreme tivities. In practice, however, MOI is through misappropriated application Leader and obviously their political, perceived as a secondary implement- of rules against those critical of the re- social and religious inclinations can- ing partner of the Guardian Council. gime has undermined the legitimacy not be so different from the Supreme Mostly the logistical aspects of elec- of this institution and raised a lot of Leader’s. Good luck with finding peo- tions are covered by the MOI through debates on the impartiality and inde- ple’s votes in this circle. a permanent office called the Elec- pendency of this organ. Interestingly, tions Office. EO is under the Bureau in the Iranian constitution, there is no of Political Affairs of the MOI and is term limitation for membership in the responsible for planning and prepa- Council. Therefore, in practice, there

Kavir-e-Lut, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com 14 ITPCM International Commentary December 2011 ISSN. 2239-7949

Qom, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

by Mariasole Continiello

PhD candidate at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna IRANIAN WOMEN GENDER DISCRIMINATIONS BY LAW

Art 20 Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran “All citizens of the country, both men and women, equally enjoy the protection of the law and enjoy all human, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, in conformity with Islamic criteria”.

Comparing this article with those of against women, violating fundamen- they have always been active in the modern Western Constitutions, at tal human rights. different sectors of society, including first sight, few differences can be ob- Since the end of the XIX century, Ira- in the public sphere. Feminist move- served. However, the four final words nian women have had a central role in ments had developed throughout the “in conformity with Islamic criteria” the society1. During the past century, twentieth century, and during the rev- since 1979 have allowed the theocratic olution against the Shah’s monarchy regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, women tenaciously support- to pursue a policy of discrimination 1 See http://www.iranian.com/His- ed the popular uprising, believing tory/2000/March/Women/index3.html

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that the Republican Regime would are opposed to the incumbent govern- war13 will worsen the already frag- guarantee them more rights. These ment. Moreover they denounced the ile situation of women’s rights and aspirations, however, soon proved lack of freedom of expression due to leave little room for the human rights vain. The Ayatollahs’ Regime, led by the harsh policy of repression set by movements. Yet before addressing the Khomeini, once in power, tightened Tehran. In recent months the govern- Campaign for Equal Rights we need the rules against women shaping the ment has choked through the use of to briefly analyze how Iranian Law Iranian legal framework in accor- ostensibly legal measures (arrests, im- stands on women’s rights. dance to Sharia law and the Quran. prisonment, preventive internment) any individual who opposed the cur- Gender discrimination by law Women in the last consultation rent dynamics, crushing all dissident voices inside the country6. Since 1945 Iran is a United Nations During the 2 March 2012 elections for Of the 3,500 candidates admitted Member State and, as such, it is com- the Mjials (the Iranian Parliament), to run for the 290 seats available in mitted to promote and respect the val- Iranian people had to choose between Parliament, only nine were women. ues enshrined in the Universal Decla- conservative candidates who sup- This is the lowest figure since 19957 ration of Human Rights. Moreover, ported President Ahmadinejad, and .However, the result of the vote was in 1975 Iran ratified the International ultra-conservatives who were aligned that many of them obtained a con- Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with the Grand Ayatollah Khamenei2. siderable share of preferences, which of 196614, whose article 3 states: “The Among the 3500 candidates admitted can probably be attributed to the fact States Parties to the present Covenant by the Guardian Council no room was that the female electorate saw in the Undertake to Ensure the equal right of given to the candidates belonging to women candidates the only vehicle men and women to the enjoyment of all opposition parties to participate in for the protection of their own rights8. civil and political rights in the present the vote. The leaders of the reformist The data relating to the participation Covenant “. On 7 March 2011 the Irani- parties, Mir Hossein Mosavi and Me- of citizens in the boycott are so far an delegation was welcomed as Asia hdi Karroubi, promoters of the 2009 unclear, and different figures have representative15 in the Commission Green Movement, have been under been produced regarding the elec- on Status of Women (CSW), which is house arrest since February 2011; that toral turn-out. According to official the United Nations supervisory body is, since they organized a demonstra- sources, participation in the vote was on gender discrimination and promo- tion in support of the revolts in Arab 65.5%9, while according to opposition tion of women empowerment. All this countries3. In the same way, during sources it was around 41%10. In any withstanding, Iran continues to pur- these elections, movements such as case, even if there was no mass pro- sue a highly repressive policy against “One Million Signatures” were stifled test as in 2009, the harsh repressive women16. by a wave of repression: its members measures implemented by the regime The Iranian legal system is based on have been closely monitored and have against such movements is the proof three pillars: the Constitution, the been intimidated by the authorities4 . that they have not died, they have Civil Code and the Penal Code, all In response, the opposition parties simply found another way to carry inspired by the dictates of Sharia and and the movements for the defense on their protest: silence and internet of human rights have undertaken a propaganda11. Obviously the grave tizie/2012-03-02/iran-voto-peso-crisi-064030. policy of mass boycotting of the vote internal political and economic cri- shtml?uuid=AaxBSi0E&fromSearch 12 to press for the release of their repre- sis and the threat of an international 13 http://www.rferl.org/content/iran_ sentatives5. These movements have women_activists_say_no_to_war/24510733. html been vociferous in denouncing the il- 6 For more information on this, see the 14 It is worthy to note that Iran ratified IC- legitimacy of the elections, stressing Amnesty International Report, February 28, CPR and ICESCR in 1975 without reservations. 2012 “ We are order to crush you” http://www. that people were deprived of the pos- Moreover, Iran is also a Party of the Convention amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/002/2012/ sibility of voting for candidates who of the Protection of the Child from 1994. en or see http://www.italnews.info/2012/02/28/ iran-aumento-della-repressione-in-vista-delle- 15 http://www.recensioni-storia.it/liran- elezioni-parlamentari/ difende-i-diritti-delle-donne-ennesimo-para- 2 On March 2, 2012 President Ahmadine- dosso-dellonu-di-fiamma-nirenstein jad and Ayatollah Khamenei have played a bat- 7 See http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ news_middleeast_africa/2012-02-29/calls-for- 16 According to the latest report of the UN tle for the domination of the Parliament. This Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Situation battle actually anticipates the challenges to be more-iranian-women-in-politics.html “Accord- ing to Iranian media, the number of female candi- in Iran, Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, since the Ayatol- held in 2013 for the presidential election. The lahs’ regime took the power in 1979 - although President came out badly defeated. Although dates who registered for the upcoming election has dropped by 33 per cent compared to last year.” there have been some improvements - the Ira- there are 130 seats still in ballot and only in nian government has continued to seriously 8 http://www.reuters.com/vid- April there will be the final results, it is already violate the fundamental rights of its popula- eo/2012/02/28/iranian-women-battle-for-better- obvious that Ahmadinejad will have to deal tion. It has done so by perpetuating the death parliame?videoId=230924771 with an hostile Parliament this year. See http:// penalty and mass executions for adults, minors www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/iranian- 9 See the Tehran Times. See http://tehran- and pregnant women; by denying the mini- elections/ times.com/politics/95976-iranians-vote-in-par- mal legal guarantees for detainees; by legally 3 http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/ liamentary-election discriminating ethnic minorities and women; content/iranian-protest-leaders-and-one-year- 10 See http://www.iranpressnews.com/ by prohibiting freedom of association; and by house-arrests english/ persecuting and imprisoning those who freely 4 http://www.amnesty.it/iran-aumenta-la- 11 See the opinion of Faraz Sanei for express their dissent to the regime or who sim- repressione-contro-il-dissenso Human Rights Watch http://www.hrw.org/ ply fight for their rights. Seehttp://iranhrdc.org/ 5 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424 news/2012/02/13/iran-s-greens-aim-rise-again files/pdf_en/UN_Reports/20111015EN.pdf, (re- 052970204296804577122642986762770.html 12 http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/no- port of 6 March 2012).

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the Quran. An analysis of the reli- that the contentious “Stoning Rule” 17 and the abolition of violence19. gious principles contained in the sa- established under Article 102 Crimi- cred texts clearly brings out the deep nal Code was repealed on 15 Febru- The “One million signature inequality between man and woman ary 2012. However, the death penalty movement”20 which affects women’s everyday so- for adulterers remains in force with cial life. We need only read a few the sole difference that they will now There are an increasing number of articles of the Civil Code (in particu- be executed by hanging. human rights organizations in Iran lar Family Law) to understand how These formal inequalities are accom- that oppose the discriminatory poli- deeply rooted the problem of gen- panied by the substantial discrimi- cies implemented by the Ayatollahs’ der discrimination is in Iran. Accord- nations which affect women in their regime. Among them the “Campaign ing to the current Family Code “The daily life, both in the work place and for Equal Rights” commonly known husband may forbid the wife to enter any in the family. This is due to the pa- as “One Million Signatures” which profession or occupation going against triarchal structure of Iranian society emerged in 2006. The goal of the cam- the interests of the family or the dignity which makes Iranian women “second paign is to obtain a million signatures of the Bride”; “The marriage of a girl class” citizens. in support of a petition which for- married for the first time is subject to the By contrast, there is a large propor- mally asks that equal rights between permission of the parent or guardian’s tion of women attending university18. sexes be recognized; discriminatory grandfather, etc.. “. The code also for- These women - educated and skilled- laws be abrogated; equal job oppor- bids a Muslim woman to marry non- often find themselves frustrated in tunities and access to public sphere Muslim. Moreover, “A man can divorce their attempts to advance their careers from his wife whenever he so chooses and both because they are paid less than 19 For years the International Commu- without advanced notice. The woman, on men and because they are often de- nity, has expressed its concern for the human the contrary, should be able to argue for a nied access to many jobs. rights violations committed by Iran. The UN valid reason for divorce “. Furthermore, This led to the success of feminist has frequently reiterated its condemnation in case of divorce a woman is not en- movements that are currently fight- and has urged the Iranian government to stop these breaches of Human Rights: e.g. on 19 De- titled to custody of her children, un- ing for the abolition of discriminatory cember 2011 the General Assembly adopted a less the child is less than 7 years old. laws, the empowerment of women Resolution based on the partial Report of the Moreover, women are not only dis- Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Situa- criminated by Family Law. The rules tion in Iran, calling the Tehran government to 17 The rule provides “The stoning is the grant the Rapporteur free access to the coun- on inheritance, for instance, foresee punishment reserved for adultery. The man and try and to end the repression against women, that women inherit half what men do. woman adulterers are buried in a hole filled with journalists, students activists etc. In its final The deep inequality between genders sand, the first up to the size, the second to just be- report Mr Shaheed states that it has “cata- finds even more room in Penal Code. low her breasts, and they are thus stoned to death.” logued allegations that produce a striking pattern Accordingly, the punishment of stoning is ap- of violations of fundamental human rights.” See Honor killing is legal: “A husband who plied both to men and women. But actually, it supra note 16. However, in practice this con- surprises his wife in flagrante delicto with emerges from the statistics that female cases are cern is accompanied by UN more general at- another man, can kill the couple without most frequent than man. On this please consult titude to lassaiz faire: up to 2008 Iran was part incurring legal process”. The wife does Amnesty International’s Annual Report on Iran of the Human Rights Commission and from 7 2011. It is supposed the abrogation of this in- March 2011 the Iranian delegation sits as Asia not have the same “right”. Women human way of execution is due to the will of representative in the Commission on Status of who do not wear the hijab “correctly” the ruler to get votes and to demonstrate more Women. Europe too has expressed its concerns can be stopped in public, whipped condescending intent towards West countries. for the Human Rights record of the Iranian and imprisoned. A woman’s testimo- In fact, this reform has been emanated few government several times. The last decision weeks before the parliamentary elections. See which analyzes the Human Rights violations ny is worth only half that of a man, in http://www.meydaan.net/english/default.aspx. in Iran was adopted on 17 November 2011. See all civil and criminal cases. Girls are 18 Nowadays, although access for women http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc. liable to prosecution from the age of 8 has been restricted in recent years, Iranian uni- do?type=MOTION&reference=P7-RC-2011- years, while for boys the age is raised versities have 60% of female students. See the 0594&language=EN. Report of the Special Rapporteur on Human 20 See http://www.we-change.org/eng- to 15. One of the few bright notes is Rights Situation in Iran (see supra at note 16). lish/.

028, by Nasser Nouri, cc, www.flickr.com

Shiraz, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com 17 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

be allowed; Family Law be reformed high level of participation achieved nings the organization has aligned and women be protected from vio- by the demonstrations organized by itself with reformist parties, becom- lence. The campaign is supported by the movement. Yet such enthusiastic ing one of the main supporters of the various movements including not response also derived from the strong 2009 Green Movement. In Iran it has only non-religious organizations but feeling aroused by the government’s achieved significant results: the non- also Islamic feminist ones. Side by harsh repression. Since 200624 the ratification of the law on polygamy side with this movement are others authorities have persecuted and im- (Family Protection Act), the removal that are fighting for the protection prisoned its members and closed its of stoning from the criminal code and of the rights and the promotion of offices, effectively stifling its voice25. the possibility for women to wear col- the emancipation of Iranian women, “One Million Signatures” has rapidly ored veils and make-up (mitigating such as “Stop Stoning to Death”21 and become the soul of all the movements the 2005 Dress Code Law). Although CDHR22. that promote the rights of women, in recent months the Iranian govern- Since its founding, the campaign has not only in Iran, but also throughout ment has intensified the persecution met with an enormous response. On the Islamic world26. Since its begin- of students, activists, bloggers, jour- the one hand, this is due to the sup- nalists, this has not stopped One mil- port of numerous personalities of lion signatures activists. 2727 The strong Islamic Texts not shaping by patriarchal con- international importance, such as ception, while read them according to gender dignity of Persian women will allow the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner equality perspective. them to fight until their voice will be Sharin Ebadi23, and to the extremely 24 During the first protest organized by heard. feminist movement in 2006, 70 women were As Shirin Ebadi said “liberation from arrested. The Iranian government till that date the theocratic regime takes place above all 21 http://www.meydaan.net/english/ has never stopped to persecute women’s activ- 22 See http://www.humanrights-ir.org/ ists. See Amnesty International report, Febru- through the voice of women, of activists english/ ary 28, 2012 “ We are order to crush you” and of all those who stand up for equal 23 Shirin Ebadi, was one of the first Iranian 25 For instance, in September 2010 Nasrin rights.”28 female judges during the Sha’s monarchy. After Sotoudeh, lawyer and human rights defender the revolution she started fighting for human (she defended Mrs Ebadi) was arrested. She has rights promotion in Iran and was the first Mus- been held in solitary confinement as she await- lim woman which was laureate Nobel Prize in ed trial on charges of “acting against national 2003. She maintains that Iranian state should security,” “congregation and collusion with tures-campaign-a-leading-voice-for-democ- be secularized. She is the founder of the CHDR intent to disrupt national security,” and “co- racy/. and one of the co-founders of One Million Sig- operation with the Center for Human Rights 27 http://milionedifirme.blogspot. natures. While remaining firmly anchored to Defenders.” She was eventually sentenced to com/2011/03/crackdown-on-womens-rights- the Islamic religion, she believes it is neces- 11 years in prison (which were diminished to activists-in.html sary that the Iranian legal system is based on six years on appeal) and she was prohibited to 28 See http://www.italnews. positive rules, not influenced by the Sharia. She practice law for 10 years. info/2010/07/22/shirin-ebadi-la-vittoria-delle- supports “Islamic feminism”, which is a move- 26 See http://www.demdigest.net/ donne-puo-accorciare-la-strada-per-arrivare- ment that promotes women interpretation of blog/2009/11/iran%E2%80%99s-million-signa- alla-democrazia/

Shiraz, schoolgirls, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

18 ITPCM International Commentary December 2011 ISSN. 2239-7949

Veresk bridge, Tehran - Sari Railway, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

by Arman Parian

Iranian Journalist and Blogger THE RISING OF A NEW FUNDAMENTALISM? BETWEEN IRANIAN & ISLAMIC IDEOLOGY A NEW POLITCAL SUBJECT EMERGED FROM LAST PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS: THE PAYDARI FRONT

Strong and free parties can hardly severely limited most of the political therefore one of those few moments in be found in the Iranian current po- life may take place only secretly and the country’s political life where lat- litical arena. Being the civil activities subcutaneously. Elections periods are est developments in the political sce-

19 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

nario can be observed and analysed. He supported girls entering stadiums works attacking the Supreme Leader. From this perspective, the ninth par- as audience. His advisers tried to get Afterwards, by means of an extensive liamentary election, which was held the support of popular actresses and media attack, they started campaign- last march 2012, was a very important they even invited banned pop sing- ing against the government’s adviser test, being the first consultation after ers from the United States to play in team. Mehdi Kalhor and Mohammad the 2009 presidential turnout. the country. They clearly tried to at- Ali Ramin (holocaust denying theo- tract the middle class consensus and rists) were fired. The judiciary court In the meantime an important muta- to find new adherents within the sentenced Ali Akbar Javanfekr’s, tion in the balance of the ruling pow- less conservatives as well as among while Hamid Reza Baghai and Mo- ers and subsequent appearance of a the youths. People usually looked at hamad Reza Rahimi were accused of new political subject is to be noted. these apparently democratic opening- heavy economic corruption. Moreo- This current - originally stemming ups as mere propaganda, given the ver, in a breaking attack, many of Ah- from the radical right wing supported simultaneously increasing suppres- madinejad’s colleagues have been ar- by the regime - has fundamentalist sion of basic civil and political rights. rested with charges of exorcism, sitting orientation. It is in fact a replacement Nevertheless they neglected the fact now in prison. Although Ahmadine- of a group of Ahmadinejad’s adher- that Rahim Mashai’s team was trying jad with an obvious political threat ents who supported him for six years to downsize traditional spirituality succeeded to protect his cabinet from but have been weakened and even ex- while approaching the western world. this charges, he could not restore his cluded from the management of the Like western old and new populists, friends’ loop again. A victory in the power by the conservatives. the team tried to resuscitate the tra- ninth parliamentary election and the ditional fascist rhetoric. The popu- possibility to make a strong front On May 2010, Esfandiar Rahim lar slogans adopted, the ostracism in the parliament was the last hope Masha’i, Ahmadinejad’s most inti- towards the political party system, for Ahmadinejad but the Guardian mate adviser, in a gathering of “Ira- the demographic propaganda for a Council strongly resisted against him nian residing abroad” declared “from stronger and more densely popu- and his adherents. Unconfirmed news now on we should introduce the Ira- lated Iran, and of course the reoccur- says that the President showed his an- nian ideology instead of the Islamic ring denial of the Holocaust are just ger towards the Supreme Leader by ideology”1. His lecture led to a wave of some examples here of that public remaining silent in the period before negative reactions from conservative discourse. Ahmadinejad, with the as- the election because of vast disqualifi- Islamists. Right wing conservatives sistance of his advisory team - lead by cation of his affiliated candidates. He found a chance to stimulate tradition- Rahim Mashai – against a Principal- even did not vote at the constituency al spirituality in order to strengthen ists’ revival and in the almost com- where all politicians are supposed to their attacks against Ahmadinejad. plete absence of any reformist oppo- vote. They labelled the Iranian ideology as a sition, was going to consolidate his “deviation from the revolution’s prin- dominance on Iran in a wished post- Ayatolah Mesbah Yazdi, well-known ciples” and the expression “deviat- Ayatollah Khamenei era. radical spiritual leader, personally ing current” entered political speech entered the political arena introduc- as a keyword for referring to Rahim The President tried wisely not to criti- ing a list referred to as Paydari Front, Masha’i and his colleagues. As a mat- cize the Reformists, because he knew in open competition with traditional ter of fact the Iranian ideology was one that traditional right forces and the right forces - read the United Front of of the core ideas Ahmadinejad’s col- Supreme Leader would have taken Principalists. In fact, among the 30 leagues have since 2005 disseminated care of them, so the government could candidates presented in Tehran, only to show off their political profile pecu- concentrate on the debilitation of the 5 received the approval and were com- liarity from traditional conservatives. conservatives. They only denounced monly supported by the traditional- Ahmadinejad in his 2005 presidential some conservative wing members for ists. Nevertheless, despite being con- campaign declared that “our youth being involved in cases of “economic sidered as confirmed Ahmadinejads’ hair styles is not our country’s prob- corruption”, for projects like “Ahmad supporters none of these candidate lem”. He never stopped criticizing Tavakoli”. has ever been a member of Mashai’s security authorities for addressing team. They shared though two com- hejab2 problems and later announced On the other side, right wing tradi- mon goals with Ahmadinejad: on he is basically against gasht ershad3. tionalists found out it would not be the one hand, to oppose the Reform- beneficial for them to be linked to ists, on the other to duell with the “governmental diffuse economic cor- traditional conservatives. As a mat- 1 www.esteghamat.ir/pages. ruption” and to “government man- ter of fact Paydari Front’s candidates asp?id=7691. agement failure”, so they changed are very distant from Ahmadinejad’s 2 “hejab” is the Islamic clothes for their strategy trying to persuade previous advisers. The previous team women. Women should cover their body Khamenei that Rahim Mashai’s doc- claimed Iran to be the freest country with the clothes the regime considers trine would have resulted in the in the world, but this group believes suitable and they can only uncover their 4 palms, face and feet. suppression of the office of the Su- freedom to be a Zionists’ conspiracy . 3 Special police forces tasked for preme Leader. They put together a monitoring the observation of the “hejab” collection of Mashai’s unconfirmed 4 htthttp://www.mashregh- p://www.mashregh- among Iranian women. speeches from various news net- news.ir/fa/news/85482/%D8%A2%D

20 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

The previous team supported the moderate portion of the parliament. they instead might support the idea of abolition of mandatory Islamic dress- For instance among Tehran’s 5 candi- a war between the parts. code, this second group lectures about dates that were elected already in the Mohammad Khatami’s late decision increasing corruption in society and first round, one of them is from the to take part in the last parliamentary prompt for police massive interven- Paydari Front’s list, another from the election, trying to counterbalance the tions. Much earlier, when Ahmadine- United Front of Principalists and three emergence of this new fundamental- jad chose the first Iranian woman for other candidates were supported by ist current was laudable as much as a ministry, this group of adherents, both fronts. In other 25 constituencies, helpless. The result of this confronta- regardless of their position, attacked 13 of them were from United front of tion between old and new conserva- him. Mesbah Yazdi is their leader and Principalists, 9 from the Paydari Front tives depends on international ten- ideological adviser; it was him who and the rest supported by both coa- sions and the Supreme Leader’s will. chased “Islamic Regime” instead of litions. This new current, in the out- According to past experience, in a “Islamic republic” already back in come of the first electoral campaign time of war threat and military inter- 1979, at the time of the revolution. shared almost equally the parliamen- ventions, the Supreme Leader would tary seats with traditional right forces. trust more radical and fundamentalist The final results of the parliamentary Today a new political balance be- forces, excluding the reformists and election have not been specified yet, tween the traditional right forces and the moderates from the public politi- but these early results allow for some the radical wings (or even the funda- cal debate. On the other hand in a time conclusions. mentalist) is in sight. Accordingly the of peace and quiescent international First of all, that the Paydari Front can- government will most probably re- equilibrium, the Supreme Leader, in didates succeeded to gain relatively nounce to find new connections with order to regain the regime’s damaged the western world. Ahmadinejad’s legitimacy would most probably let 8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C- new supporting group - unlike the the reformists and the moderates to %D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86- previous one – would loathe a bridge take part in the next presidential elec- %DB%8C between them and the Western world; tion, scheduled for June 2013.

Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

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by Mohsen Omam** & Negin Sohrabkhani** Amir Kabir Dam, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

*Vice President of illegally dissolved Students’ Union Sharif University, Tehran, Iran **MA candidate at EPFL THE IMPACT OF SANCTIONS NOTHING IS PERMITTED EVERYTHING IS TRUE, IN THE NAME OF THE CURRENT CRITICAL SITUATION

Last 2nd March 2012 the ninth parlia- ternational sanctions contributed to to narrow down the range of reform- mentary election was held in the Is- worsen the current critical situation of lamic Republic of Iran. The consulta- the country1 allowing the government tion was boycotted by the opposition expression current critical situation of the country became a reoccurring expression in Khamenei’s forces and those who have been pro- 1 Every Friday a political-religious rite called speeches. It was de facto the authorisation for testing against fraud since 2009 presi- Namaz Jome or Friday Prayer takes place in many basic civil and political rights violations dential election, whom are referred to Tehran. The Supreme Leader gives a lecture and personal freedoms restrictions. Please see as the green movement. whenever he deems there is something impor- these two examples: http://www.noorease- tant to say. Since the adoption of new sanctions man.com/forum229/thread34318-3.html; http:// The shadow of the war and the in- and threats of war became real dangers, the www.rayatalhoda.ir/post-119.aspx

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ists and oppositions legal activities. satisfied with their turnover, and the destructive foreign policy and contin- Nowadays in Iran, not only the re- Guardian Council did not confirm as ue its policy of intervention and pres- formists and the oppositions cannot qualified enough many of them, dur- ence in the developing neighboring criticize the ruling powers, but also ing last parliamentary election 2012. countries, like Iraq and Syria. the dissatisfied fundamentalists do It disqualified at least 28 candidates not dare to point out the weakness of among those already sitting in the Putting Iran under sanctions has some the government, the lack of security Parliament. economic benefit for the countries or the governmental embezzlement. holding them. Otherwise the ques- Secondly, a even more determinant tion would be, given the great defect However soft and whispered can be reason for the reformists to stop their in their effectiveness, why would they any critique to the regime, it may eas- activities is to show their disagree- keep sanctioning the country? ily result in accusations of threaten- ment with the international commu- The only victim of sanctions and threat ing the national security, collusion for nity’s strategy of sanctions and threats of war are the Iranian citizens. With the subversion of the Islamic republic or of war. They have to slow down their assistance of the great military-eco- dividing the Islamic unity. The charg- critiques, to show that their protests nomic mafia, controlled by the Sepah es for such crimes have not been clari- against the regime do not mean a Pasdaran, who have many legal and fied yet. YES to the war. World most powerful illegal import incomes, including countries, while putting Iran under customs administration under con- By means of imprisonment, killing sanctions and threats of war ended trol, the government can sustain itself or depriving of one’s liberties, the re- up trapping the reformists, who were through the second-hand trades in the gime managed to remove the reform- successfully collecting all opponent area, manly with China, India, Russia ists and the oppositions from the of- forces together in a historical chal- and even some European countries. ficial political scene of Iran since 2009, lenge. Now they have to ceasefire Russian second-hand aircrafts, weap- forcing them to act as a civil society with the domestic enemy to find a ons of mass destruction, constructions movement (the green movement). way for dealing with the mutual for- and technology support contracts for eign threat. The most negative con- the oil and the gas industries, directly After the disputed 2009 presidential sequence of the policy of sanctions with China and indirectly with Euro- election, the only internal counter would be that the cruel face of the Is- pean countries, are just some of the power who could resist the Supreme lamic Republic will be then replaced main entries of this important trade. Leader’s will was the President Mah- by the image of a victim, which the moud Ahmadinejad. But right after 3 I.R. of Iran perfectly knows how to Taking advantage of the great op- years, during the parliamentary elec- play. All human rights violations and portunity represented by the sanc- tion 2012, the Supreme Leader took international sabotages by the govern- tions the Sepah Pasdaran fulfilled his revenge on him, and unlike any ment are forgotten and only nuclear their long time desire, that is master- anticipations, the coalition of presi- issues have been kept in minds by the ing the Iranian economy and expel- dent’s adherents gained small portion war seeking countries. As the presi- ling the medium businessmen out of of parliamentary seats. These days fi- dent of United States Mr. B. Obama country’s market. As an unavoidable nally anyone understands that what- mentioned at the AIPAC conference2, output most of the activities of the ever the supreme leader wants will come “Iran’s regime really wants and needs Iranian economic life fall now under out of the ballot boxes. to be seen as a victim of belligerent the control of the government, while policies of U.S”. the private economic sector has been Before the adoption of the sanctions International sanctions were per- seriously and deeply downsized. Iran and the threats of war the reformists formed by the European Union and has become a great profitable market had their associations and their me- the United States against Iran with for the government. The government, dia. They could interpret what was the goal of putting its government having the Sepah Pasdaran as a loyal happening in the domestic and for- under political and economic pres- and powerful military servant, could eign politics and received the support sure, in order to push Iran towards easily suppress any form of resistance of the countless members of the green democracy and peace. At least these or critique coming from the citizens. movement. were the aims, which had been stated. Without fearing any citizens’ protest, But interestingly they easily gave way the government did not care about The adoption of the sanction had a also to the hypocritical role played by the awful economic situation of the tremendous impact on their potential. regional powers like Russia and Chi- people, generated by the international First of all, since they have been is- na, whose policy causes the malfunc- sanctions. sued, anyone who dares to express tioning of the sanctions. his/her disagreement with the gov- With the help of China and the Rus- In all this the Iranian citizens are the ernment policies is considered as a sian Federation, Iran’s government most vulnerable and hence the most big threat for the national security, does not feel the huge planned pres- negatively affected. On the one hand, given the critical period the country sure. Thus, it can shout out loud its foreign powerful countries, trading is undergoing. The Government with Iran, not surprisingly tend to sell showed no mercy even for many fun- goods and services many times more 2 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world- damentalist officials who were dis- us-canada-17236549 expensive. Since they do not have any

23 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

kind of official commitment, in many fuelled by oil revenues, there conduct ing the wealth of private companies to cases acting as real pirates, they do their trade activities - are mainly mili- decrease by a half. not deliver what they have been paid tary purchases - almost undisturbed. for. A clear example was the failure in Price of the primary goods is inces- the delivery of laboratory equipment According to a worldwide research3, santly soaring and municipality- that universities have purchased last this kind of sanctions cannot propel supervising sub-organizations can- February 2012. Universities, always any democratic change. Statistically, not stop this trend. Prohibiting the lacking more and more funds, pay the in previous cases, sanctions helped central bank of Iran to communicate intermediate countries to provide for only to open up the war gates. Indeed and trade with the western banks in their laboratory and research needs. citizens limited access to primary the world, given the strong connec- Supplies that are never delivered, goods gradually results in a wide- tions with China and Russia and the with the complacence of the interna- spread famine in the country. Rulers oil revenues, does not cause any big tional banking system, whose laws become stronger and more likely to trouble to the Iranian government. often block the money already trans- impose their will to their people. Nevertheless such a provision liter- mitted. As the research confirms, last sanc- ally cuts out the Iranian citizens from tions adopted against Iran, generated any kind of financial connection with On the other hand, the second group a very unstable economic situation in the rest of the world. A process that is of dealers is domestic. They must have the country. Price of gold, U.S dollar going to raise invisible walls around strong economic foundation, great in- and Euro increased of 100% in a sin- Iran, preventing Iranians from pass- teraction with custom administration gle month. The official US dollar rate ing through. and reliable connections with their is set to be 12600 Rials, whereas in For fear of being charged of threaten- foreign counterparts. They also must practice, the private sector is trading ing the current critical situation of the have a good relation with the army in a US dollar to a 20000 Rials rate; caus- country nobody in Iran dares to ob- order to import contrabands. In other ject to these regrettable circumstances words with the Iranian economic-mil- anymore. itary mafia: the Sepah Pasdaran. Sup- 3 http://www.bostonreview.net/ BR37.1/trita_parsi_natasha_bahrami_iran_ ported by the Supreme Leader and sanctions.php

Market, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com 24 ITPCM International Commentary December 2011 ISSN. 2239-7949

Shiraz, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

by Peyman Majidzadeh

Human Rights Activist and Researcher A TYRANNY DEFENDING THE TYRANNIZED? INCONSISTENT STANDS OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC ON THE ARAB UPRISINGS

Middle East and North Africa Obviously, events of Tunisia, Egypt, ment in Iran did not necessarily have (MENA) has been prone to a new Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Yemen and the the same roots or factors but they all wave of uprising since mid 2009. Green Movement as a social move- claimed a shared objective: a social

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and political change and reform in defending the tyrannized is a princi- Perhaps the rapid changes in Tuni- their current regimes and their right ple. The Islamic Republic of Iran has sia did not give Iran the opportunity to self-determination. Rapid chang- constantly referred to the principle to hold clear position towards it and es in the MENA region put the four of its “Islamic factor” and “defend- even in their few released statements, powerful countries of Iran, Saudi ing tyrannized and the oppressed” the focus has always been on Mus- Arabia, Israel and Turkey in a unique since the beginning. This goes as far lim’s rights and warnings of the West and precarious position. To keep their and deep as Ayatollah Khomeini’s, meddling’s. gains, allies and status in the region, the founder of the Islamic Republic, the said countries have been follow- concept of the revolution in which he This, however, was not the case for ing the rapid changes regularly and calls it "the revolution of oppressed Egypt. With due consideration to the been reacting properly, in their own and bare foot" and emphasizes on the existence of a religious opposition perspective. As the only non-Arab necessity of supporting the oppressed party, namely Muslim Brotherhood state in the Middle East that claims to nations in the entire Muslim world. in fights with Mubarak regime, the be one of the superpowers in the re- Apparently allocation of the annual Islamic Republic of Iran repeatedly gion with no ties to the United States budget in support of major Palestin- called the rise of “Egyptian Muslims” or the European Union in its foreign ian militant organizations like Hamas as a continuation of the Iranian rise policy, it is rather difficult to explain , amongst many other material and against “Taghut ” and claimed that the contradictory positions of the Is- spiritual support of the oppressed the origin of the “Islamic Awaken- lamic Republic of Iran towards recent Muslims in their fight with “the Zion- ing Wave” in the region is Iran . In- movements. On the other hand, with ist” is justified under the very same terestingly enough, the Green Move- all the war talks and sanctions, Iran’s school of thought. With this prospec- ment leaders and members are in position is crucially important in its tive in mind, it is evident that the of- agreement and approval of the idea international relations and policies ficials of the Islamic Republic of Iran but with more than thirty years of especially in the ongoing negotiations defend and support the people’s re- time difference. Ayatollah Khamenei on its stance on Human Rights and sistance, especially Muslims, against - claimed by the Islamic Republic of dialogues with International Atomic cruel regimes and will condemn the Iran to be the Leader of Muslims - Energy Agency and the international aggressor and brutal regime. They devoted a significant part of his ser- community on the issue of its peace- even go further and call the regime mon in the last Friday Prayer before ful nuclear programmes . “the dictator” and wish for the over- Mubarak’s fall, in Arabic language, thrown or collapse of the ruling gov- which normally does not happen, in In the Islamic thinking there is no dif- ernment. support of Egypt civil unrest. He in- ference between the tyrannized, and troduced himself as a representative

KermanA detail fromBazar, the Iran, Hafez Photo Tomb, by Shiraz,NINARA, Iran, CC Photo www.flickr.com by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

26 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

of the Iranian nation in full support against his oppositions, Iran mainly hoped for peaceful agreements be- of Egyptian brothers and sisters and focused on the reaction of the US and tween the oppositions and the gov- condemned Mubarak’s persistence in the international community for their ernment. Of course, authorities re- keeping the office and urged him to military intervention. Iran strongly quested for stopping the violence and step down and respect the Muslim condemned the military intervention respecting the demands of all parties. people’s will. It should not be forgot- with the fear of duplication of the ten that Iran has always known Mu- same in the near future against itself Reaction to the events in Syria was barak as a United States puppet in the or its allies in the region. This time, a turning point in Iran’s positions on region and according to the Iranian again, the focus was on Muslims and civil and political movements in the officials; the United States is the sym- linkages of the Muslim Brotherhood region, which strongly highlights its bol of the “Global Arrogance” and the with the Islamic Revolution of Iran . contradictory position on the same. shared enemy of the entire Muslim Iran reacted more strongly towards Iran found it extremely difficult to world . The hatred history between human rights violations in Bahrain hold any official position against Syr- the two governments is also evident and called for international and re- ian officials’ hostilities for obvious in the language of Ayatollah Kho- gional conciliations to stop the “mas- reasons. With Syria being the only meini in one of his wordplays with sacre” of Shi’ites. The Iranian officials ally of Iran in the region, it is no sur- Mubarak’s name in which he calls used more legal terms in addressing prise to see Iran’s massive censorship Mubarak “non-Mubarak” that liter- the violence in Bahrain rather than in the local media, as the systematic ally means unblessed in Persian lan- its usual religious focus for similar practice, on the ongoing events and guage. Mirroring the two factors of cases in the region . The military pres- creating propaganda of American- pro-Americanism of Mubarak regime ence of Saudi Arabia in Bahrain was ism of the Syrian opposition groups. and having a rather strong religious perceived as a serious violation of Iran repeatedly condemns the role opposition group in the field, paved peace and security in the region and of external factors in supporting the the way for an Islamic maneuver Iran tried hard to react to it through demonstrations and “riots” of opposi- of Iranian officials at the time. This all possible ways, but mainly peace- tions in Syria. There is no mention of propaganda failed in no time due to ful negotiations rather than threats. human rights or even Muslims when the direct and indirect support of the The strategic regional trip of Iranian it comes to Syria and all opposition United States in Mubarak’s fall as well Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time members are considered the “West- as the Muslim Brotherhood’s reaction was an indication of Iran’s preferable ern players” with no good intention to Iran’s position towards them . peaceful settlements in the region, for the Syrian nation. In fact, it is the As for the Libyan case, instead of mainly in Bahrain. same strategy that Iran has been us- having firm language and position Iran used a very mild language to ad- ing against the Green Movement for towards cruel behaviors of Gaddafi dress the events in Yemen and only the last three years.

Park Mellat, Tehran, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com 27 ITPCM International Commentary December 2011 ISSN. 2239-7949

Choqa Zanbil, Ziggurat, Dur Untash, 13th century BC, Iran, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

by Amir Hooshang Navaei

Member of illegally dissolved Students’ Union, Sharif University, Tehran, Iran BOYCOTTING LAST UNFAIR ELECTION LACK OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOR THE FITNAH

In the last two years Middle Eastern uprisings and internal and interna- fronted with more serious tensions. countries have been challenged by tional tensions. Among them Iran was Although the regime has not basically primary dilemmas, regime change, the first country to have been con- changed - like in Egypt, Tunis and

28 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

Libya - tensions are still there. A few Many criticizing journals and reform- electorate about the results of the weeks ago the Islamic republic held ists’ newspapers have gone under 2009 election; continuously illegal in- its ninth parliamentary election. custody and also opposing web-sites terventions of military-security forces In the last 33 years, since the instaura- and weblogs, as well as independent in the current election; house arrest of tion of the 1979 revolutionary regime, news and social networks have been two candidates from previous presi- election has been the most challeng- filtered. Moreover, two reformist can- dential election; illegally isolation of ing event for the government. In the didate from last presidential election reformist parties; custody and shut- aftermath of the nine parliamentary 2009 were put under house arrest. ting down of almost every newspaper and the ten presidential elections so Freedoms of expression and media or media outlet criticizing the totali- far held there were always rumours production have been deeply affect- tarian system; prolonged rule of the of violations and even inaccurate ed. Today, Iran is the second greatest military within the country, in open statistics. The “qualification system” prison for journalists, with 42 of them disregard of the preconditions ex- whose approval is in the hands of the currently sitting in jail. pressed by Khatami. Guardian Council is inscribed in the Iranian constitution. More than often Given the civil and political rights The regime, in the history of the Islam- Iranians candidates that oppose the restrictions and the economic stagna- ic Republic, in order to tempt the peo- regime, even the influential one’s, do tion, opposition forces declared their ple to take part in the election usually not pass the approval filtering and intention to boycott the March 2012 treated the oppositions with leniency. technically they are disqualified. parliamentary election. It was the first This time, in a new wave of deten- time in the history of the Islamic re- tions they arrested political activists, This everlasting challenge, on occa- public that the regime sensed a real journalists and bloggers. The adop- sion of last 2009 presidential election, danger of official public boycott. tion of stricter rules were announced became a great problem. A big pro- Once more the ruling powers tried to prior to the election. The president portion of the Iranian citizens - in- prove to themselves that their legiti- of the judiciary declared that mak- cluding the oppositions – casted their macy and popularity has remained ing jokes about election would have vote. The regime, like in all other pre- unquestioned. After years of endeav- been treated as a crime. On this occa- vious elections, interpreted Iranians’ ours the conservatives eventually got sion the regime did not try to absorb high-level of participation as a proof rid of the reformists from the Iranian its opponents by winning their minds of the system’s legitimacy and good political arena while managing to see whereas it preferred to threaten and state of health whereas many electors a compliant parliament taking over terrorize them. A lenient political en- accused the government of piloting the previous one. A parliament whose vironment would have probably giv- the results. political inclinations are fully consist- en them a chance to strengthen again The protest that broke out was the ent with the regime’s will. Tough, giv- their position and role. biggest ever since the regime’s foun- en the tensions between the President dation. While the dimension of the and the Supreme Leader, the number As Iran’s high ranked authorities manifestations expanded, the regime of parliamentary seats that each pointed out, this election represented denounced it to be illegal. And called group occupies will impact in the the most important test in the Islamic the opposing people as fitnah1. The near future on the balance of power Republic’s history. Some governmen- ruling powers charged the participa- in Iran, preparing for a spiral of con- tal web-sites administrators posted tion in the protest as a crime, such as frontation. on line that the participation in the an “act against the national security”, election was a religious obligation “propaganda against the regime”, Within the opposition, the reformist - vajebeshar’i. In some cities, on the “disturbing public order” or “gather- parties, lead by Mohammad Khatami billboards there were comments from ing and collusion for subverting the -former president of Iran - set 3 gen- foreign news networks: if the turnout system”. eral preconditions for participating in would have been lower than the 50% the election: 1) unexceptional imple- America could then easily attack Iran. During the last 3 years many Iranian mentation of the constitution 2) un- The official statistics showed that the citizens have been sentenced with conditioned freedom of political pris- 64% of people with the right to vote, such charges. The reformist parties’ oners 3) conduction of free election. participated in the election. Such licenses have been suppressed, for The regime did not address any of an outcome when confirmed would rejecting the results of the previous those conditions. Hence the reform- represent a great increase when com- election. Lots of high ranked mem- ists unanimously boycotted the elec- pared to previous elections. The op- bers of reformist parties have been tion. Mostafa Tajzade, a member of position believes instead that the convicted to long term imprisonment. the central council of Mosharekat Front regime made up the statistics. Some - one of the most important reformist figures from the governmental me- parties in Iran - lists the reasons of the dia can actually provide an evidence 1 Dissident. Fitnah is also translated non-participation from ward 305 of for that. In some constituencies the as sedition. The Muslim community is frag- mented having lost the sense of proportion and the EVIN prison: lack of any feedback number of votes was much higher reality of the public interest. addressing the requests of the green than the number of registered voters.

29 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

Besides participation statistics and in Iran. According to the Guardian Some slogans of the 1979 miscalculations other violations were Council’s statistics 1130 candidates revolution reported. Reporter without borders in out of the 5382 registered have been a statement released the day before disqualified, among them 30 senators An Islamic Republic, Khomeini the polling day declared that: “media already sitting in eight local parlia- says, must be formed, professionals arbitrary arrests, jour- ments. nals under custody, filtering news Human Rights Watch commented: “In Political prisoners, Khomeini web-sites, controlling satellite chan- the balloting for the 290-member par- says, must be freed, nels and suppressing any criticizing liament hundreds of candidates have The monarchist regime, Khomeini idea make holding a free election im- been disqualified because of vague says, must be abolished possible in Iran.” and ill-defined criteria. Leaders of the In the press freedom index prepared opposition have been deprived of the My army brother, by Reporters without borders and up- right of participation in the election, Why do you kill your brother?! dated last January 2012 Iran ranked are unfairly sentenced to prison or In the dawn of freedom 175th out of 179 countries. have decided not to participate in the The loss of the martyrs is felt! Human Rights Watch in a statement election.” After the Shah it will be released on March 1st announced that America's turn! the ninth parliamentary election was unfair because of arbitrary disquali- [...] fying candidates and other limita- tions, declaring also that there were no chances for holding a free election

Bridge in Isfehan - called also half of the world, (1602 A.D.), 300 m long & 14 wide, Photo by NINARA, CC www.flickr.com

30 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

about the ITPCM pp. 32 - 33

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The ITPCM Events & Trainings 2012 For complete info about trainings, research, evaluation and project design/delivery activities please refer to our website: www.itpcm.sssup.it

Conference When/Where Description

International Conference 7 – 8 June 2012 In the last two decades China has progressively in- on China’s and Italy’s Pisa, Italy creased its involvement in the United Nations PKOs; up participation in peace- to the extent that today it is the major troops contribut- keeping operations. ing country among the permanent members of the UN Existing models, future Contact Security Council. Italy, differently, has offered its steady engagement from the very beginning of the history of challenges and avenues for [email protected] peacekeeping operations, developing such an exper- enhanced cooperation. tise that, nowadays, its approach is often labelled as the “Italian way of peacekeeping”. The conference aims at discussing, in a comparative way, the Italian and Chi- nese experiences.

Trainings When Deadline Contacts

Health Systems through 16 -27 [email protected] application closed Conflict and Recovery April 2012 www.itpcm.sssup.it

Psychosocial Interventions 18 - 30 June [email protected] 20 April in Emergency Displacement 2012 www.itpcm.sssup.it

13 May 2012 Pre-Deployment Course [email protected] 25 - 28 June 2012 applications at Kosovo www.entriforccm.eu www.entriforccm.eu

International Standards for the Protection of Individuals 27 May 2012 [email protected] 5 - 13 July 2012 applications at and Groups: A Training www.entriforccm.eu Course for Field Officers www.entriforccm.eu Working on Human Rights

Summer School: 11 - 20 [email protected] 9 May 2011 Lavorare in Ambiente Ostile July 2012 www.itpcm.sssup.it

Summer School: The Civilian Personnel of 9 - 21 [email protected] 18 April 2012 Peace Keeping/Building July 2012 www.itpcm.sssup.it Operations

Comunicare la Cooperazione e 25 - 28 October [email protected] 19 September 2012 la Solidarietà Internazionale 2012 www.itpcm.sssup.it

Master of Arts in Human July 2012 - I round EU January 2013 - [email protected] Sept 2012 - II round EU Rights and Conflict Spring 2014 www.humanrights.sssup.it Management Oct 2012 - non EU

32 ITPCM International Commentary April 2012 ISSN. 2239-7949

THE ITPCM Staff members & Contacts: Director:

Prof. Andrea de Guttry [email protected]

Peace Keeping Branch:

Emanuele Sommario Research Fellow [email protected] Barbara Nicoletti Research Fellow [email protected] Annalisa Creta Research Fellow [email protected] the ITPCM venue in Pisa, archive photo Alessia Lenci Project Officer [email protected] Rossella Altamura Project Officer [email protected]

Decentralised Cooperation Branch: Information, Secretariat & Communications & Logistics: Annarosa Mezzasalma Dissemination Project Officer Federica Faldella [email protected] Michele Gonnelli [email protected] Ilaria Dal Canto Communication Officer Pasqualetta Campus Project Officer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Serena Rossignoli Project Officer [email protected] Address: Luisa Nardi Via Cardinale Maffi, 27 56127 Pisa - ITALY Research Fellow tel: +39 050 882685 [email protected] fax: +39 050 882665 Fabrizio Coticchia email: [email protected] Research Fellow www.itpcm.sssup.it International Training Programme [email protected] for Conflict Management

33