Iran Urgent: Mousavi-Karroubi Statement on 12 June Protest (10 June)

From the Facebook page of Zahra Rahnavard, activist and Mir Hossein Mousavi's wife:

In the name of God, the Compassionate and the Merciful

The informed and vigilant people of Iran

The informed and conscientious presence and participation of you at polling stations of the 10th Presidential election last year, taking advantage of the right to vote..., was a great move and an everlasting epic.  It would have returned the country’s future path from the dreadful downhill, in which it was captive and today has become more obvious, to a bright future and the climax of prosperity that the great nation of Iran deserves.

Unfortunately tainted hands falsified your pure votes, and the results were announced in such a way that shocked everyone and initiated the unified protests of you informed people to get back your lost right. However, it was a sadness that your peaceful presence and rallies, instead of being heard and paid attention to, were suppressed and your forever glorious nation paid dearly over the past year to get back your stolen right.

Your great and unforgettable rally on 25 Khordaad (15 June) of last year is the evidence of the truth that even passage of time cannot reduce its value. The justified expectations of you dear people prompted us to request to have a rally for the anniversary of the unforgettable day of 22 Khordaad (12 June, the anniversary of the 2009 Presidential election)...to follow up on the justified demands of a prosperous nation that, despite all suppressions, did not wash its hands from peaceful ways and hopefully seeks a bright future for its county and the country of its children.

Based on Article 27 of the Islamic Republic’s Constitution that clearly states the unconditional right of the people to hold [peaceful] protests and demonstrations, and to prevent tension, while not giving any excuses to the repressors and providing safety and security of the people, we also handed in the letter of request for a permit to hold a demonstration on the anniversary of epic 22 Khordaad (12 June) from Imam Hossein Square to Azadi Square. [We gave this] to the office of the Governor of Tehran and the Interior Ministry in a timely manner but unfortunately, with endless made-up excuses, this request has remained unanswered.

Therefore a number of reformist parties and groups, to eliminate the made-up excuses, handed in a similar request to the Interior Ministry. The final answer of the Interior Ministry to this request has been stated in the latest letter of the representatives of reformist parties, who have announced that they have no hope to obtain any permit from this administration.

Now that there is only 48 hours left to the time planned for the demonstration, considering the report of the representatives of reformist parties and for the safety of the people, we are announcing that the planned demonstration will not be held. It is obvious that, with the dark history of the past year in repressing the protesters whose only crime was to demand their vote in a peaceful manner and with reportsindicating that once again hardliners and repressors are being organized to attack the defenceless and innocent people, we must ask the people and the protesters to follow up on their rightful demands and requests through less costly and more effective methods.

It is self-deceptive and naive to believe that in [the Government's] artillery with all the threats, insults, and lies, [it was] able to repress and subjugate people’s protest movement. Despite the deafening claims of the so-called national TV and Radio stations and the pro-government press giving the impression that the protesting forces of the Iranian people’s movement has diminished, the very same individuals involved in these claims --- as well as the policymakers --- more than anyone realise this fact that the movement is alive. The true honour belongs to those who, despite all the threats, dangers, and insecurities and knowing the potential life-threatening and financial consequences, still have not given up on their rightful protest. Even their simple announcement of demonstration makes the repressors shiver from fear with their wide-scale and comprehensive security and police mobilization. This is the tradition of an illegitimate government that does not give a permit to hold demonstrations to anyone but to their own supporters.

The path that you, the great nation of Iran, have chosen cannot be blocked, and you will brighten your role in this path with creativity.  We also in all aspects, until the emergence of the bright morning of tomorrow,=will be with you and will accompany you.

Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi

June 10, 2010