A former Basij member -the Iranian religious militia- in an interview with Channel 4 has revealed part of the abuse and killing they’ve been ordered to do. It is a short video worth watching (Might contain graphic images).
You can also hear to the whole interview in Persian and read the article here.
Human rights violations in Iran are now as bad as at any time in the past 20 years, Amnesty International has said in a new report on the aftermath of last June’s presidential election. (Read the whole article here)
Bellow you can watch the interview of Dr. Arash Hejazi who was the witness of Neda’s death with Amnesty International:
Maziar Bahari, Newsweeks journalist who has been arrested and in the notorius Evin prison since june 12th has been released. Read his story in News week and watch Fareed Zakaria’s interview with him.
Yesterday’s demonstrations showed the world that the Green movement is alive and despite all the suppression, imprisonments and killings that the regime did to people they’re still out there fighting the dictatorship. Instead of writing too much I share some links where you can read and see more about these demonstrations:
- CNN’s report showing the people bringing down Khamenei’s picture and wipping their foot on his face.
- A collection of videos from the demonstrations showing police brutality towards thee green people.
- The green movment lives (in German), German news paper Die Zeit report on the new demonstrations.
- CNN’s interview with Neda’s mother, She was an Angel. (at the moment it is on the first page of CNN)
Like Naj, I’m also tired of hearing the news of torture, rape and “trials” of my people. Music sometimes is the only way to calm down. Listen and read the English version of Come on (Bia) by Abjeez, to watch and listen to the Persian version click here.
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Come and join us once and for all, let’s be honest, let’s be true
Join the force of love and see, what’s in there waiting for you!
Even in the wrestling rings our men tend to tolerate
Barefooted, with a waist-cloth, wrestling men of the same weight
You walk with your kneeguards; carrying chains and clubs, wearing a mask
Well done brother, what a champ! Is that what you call bravery I ask?
It’s easy to strike and brake, kill and burn, destroy and chase
I guess God can’t recognize, a properly hidden face!
Go on hit and kill, let’s see how long it takes,
Before your betrayed heart, melts down and brakes!
Let’s see when your hands will feel ashamed of your own zeal
Let’s see when your betrayed soul will wake up and start to heal
Don’t worry, you too are the “dust and mote” of this land
Unmask your face, see the light, see the truth and take my hand
Feel the compassion, unity calls at this hour
The power of love is higher than the love of power!
Come and join us once and for all, let’s be honest, let’s be true
Join the force of love and see what greatness is waiting for you!
Fareed Zakaria compares Iran’s show trials to Stalin’s similar trials:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Ahmadidn’t Win | ||||
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With riot police out in force on the streets of Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took the oath of office Wednesday and began a second term as Iran’s president.
Meanwhile more and more arrests and “confessions” are on the way as yesterday, Mir Hamid Hassanzadeh, who now is an advisor to the general manager of ISNA, was involved in Moussavi’s reformist presidential campaign and the candidate’s Web site, Ghalam News, has been arrested.
Red Carpet, By Mana Neyestani
Gibbs said yesterday that the white house will recognize Ahmadinejad as Iran’s president. He calls the clashes a “debate”, in What kind of debate people disappear and then turn up to be DEAD? Does Mr. Obama’s Change, mean he’ll get involved with a little dictator (knowing what he’s done to his people)?
The first trials of opposition political activists and protesters arrested after June’s disputed Iranian presidential election began today. A trial Scam with confessions prepared under torture, without any jury and defense lawyers.
Looking at the face of Mohammad Ali Abtahi, the former vice president and blogger tells all that the prisoners have been through during their prison time. Abtahi has lost 18 kilograms during 43 days in prison. just compare his photo before and after his prison time. Also read the English translation of Mowjcamp that Naj has made in his blog.
A Country In Shock, A People In Fury
If you haven’t yet watched the Jason Jones report (the Daily Show) where he interviews Abtahi watch it here.
I just read (in Persian) a beautiful description of what happened yesterday in Tehran’s cemetery to the people that were planning to go to Neda’s grave. The description is so poetic and beautiful that I decided to translate it to English to share with you. (read the original text in Persian here)
It is hot. I am tired. It has been two nights that I haven’t had proper sleep. I just came directly from my village next to Isfahan to Beheshte Zahra. I’m still wearing green scarf and haven’t had a proper meal since morning.
Sun is shinning on our head and we are chanting slogans, but we are late…
The riot police have surrounded section 257 [where Neda’s grave is]. Riot police is standing in front of us. We are a lot, we are chanting slogans and going forward and the Police are retreating. We have the good feeling of Victory.I tell my friend:
Who are all these people? How is it that they’re not getting tired? How is it they have so much energy?
A lady next to me was shouting: “Government of Coup, Resign, Resign”
I am feeling so tired, tell my friend: “I’m not planning to get martyred today, shall we go home?”
She asks me: “are you afraid?”
I reply: Maybe, since the day that I saw the police hitting that young man on the head with baton and seeing the blood from his head, I got afraid. These days when I get home midnight, until I hear that all my friends have also got home safe I feel my heart in my mouth.What time was it, Yeah it was around 6. Suddenly they started attacking us. I was still wondering if I’m afraid or not. They started hitting us with their batons. My friend and I are now separated.
I’m standing, suddenly I’m feeling calm. I don’t feel like running away. The black dressed riot police come towards me, moving their batons and swearing.
I’m still standing. A riot police stands in front of me and shouts: “Piss off”, but I’m still standing. It is the 254th section.
I’m all alone. They fired tear gas in the next section. Smoke and dust makes it difficult to see. I look around me. Look into the eyes of the riot police that is staring at me behind his mask. Hatred is in my eyes. I’m not afraid. I don’t “piss off”.
I’m standing here. In 254th section of Beheshte Zahra. The police spray pepper in my eyes. Someone shoots tear gas towards us.
I’m still standing, I’m still standing. My face is burning. Someone grabs my hand and pull me.
BUT I’m NOT AFRAID ANYMORE….
