Mousavi Denounces Killing of Protestors
Mir Hossein Mousavi, the “Green Movement” leader and 2009 presidential candidate, denounced the gas price hike and killing of protestors. He declared: “The violent and bloody confrontation with angry and destitute people who’ve reached their limits, who came to the streets in protest at an irrational and profit-aiming decision that goes against the interests of the poor … is similar to merciless killing of the people on the bloody September 8th of 1978.”
Iran Gripped by Protests and Internet Shutdown
On Thursday, November 14th, the Iranian government abruptly announced that the price of gasoline would be increased. As detailed in last week’s issue of Iran Unfiltered, the price of heavily subsidized gasoline was increased by 50 percent (to 1500 tomans per liter). This price holds for a consumption of 60 liters per month. Beyond that, a higher rate of 3,000 tomans per liter applies (an increase of three times from the previous rate).
NIAC Statement on Protests across Iran over Gas Price Hike
“NIAC is closely tracking reports of protests in many Iranian cities after the government announced an increase in the price of gasoline. NIAC condemns the Iranian government’s use of force used to disperse protestors, as seen in videos showing the deployment of riot police and tear gas in parts of Iran, as well as efforts to stifle communication by limiting internet access. The Iranian people have an inalienable right to peacefully demonstrate and express their economic and political grievances. The Iranian government denies them this right at its own peril.”
NIAC Statement on Recent Demonstrations in Iran
“Ultimately, like any other country, it is up to Iranians living in Iran to decide their country’s destiny. Outside countries or interests who seek to exploit the legitimate grievances of Iranians in order advance their own ulterior agendas only undermine the will of the Iranian people. As outside observers, we will continue our efforts to defend universal human rights rights and hold the Iranian government accountable to its international human rights obligations.”
One Year Later: Are We Missing the Real Story?
Much attention has been given to the absence of large street protests on the anniversary of Iran’s disputed elections. This focus on street protests however, largely misses the point of the opposition movement today. “A government that is scared of a corpse is a weak government,” Shirin Ebadi said, referring to the government’s decision to […]
The Iranian Diaspora’s New Political Awakening
There is change afoot in Iranian communities all across the globe. The Iranian Diaspora is coming of age politically, and nothing has helped propel this change more than the disputed presidential elections of June 2009 and the young Iranians who led the post-election unrest. Whereas once the Diaspora communities were psychologically fractured and plagued with […]
“Crackdown on Students Ahead of National Student Day”
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran released a statement today outlining recent waves of arbitrary arrests of students as “authorities apparently seek to stifle protests expected on 7 December, National Student Day…”. While authorities in Iran have released little information about students being detained, the site has been able to report on many […]
Student Protests Continue at Azad University
[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPV0m3hExII”] Nearly 2000 students of Tehran’s Azad University protested the Iraninan “coup government” and its treatment of student activists. Students gathered and chanted slogans for the green movement including “Death to the dictator,” “Coup government, resign, resign!”, and “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein!” The protests persist in the face of threats and pressure from security forces. […]