Iran Document: Mousavi-Karroubi Declaration on Rights and 22 Bahman (30 January)

From the Facebook site supporting Mir Hossein Mousavi, via The Flying Carpet Institute:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wjxY2Ws9bs[/youtube]

Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi, in a meeting that was held in Mehdi Karoubi’s home on Saturday morning, expressed sorrow over the execution of some of the citizens and demanded legal investigations about the situations of the political prisoners. Mousavi and Karoubi, pointing out the cases of the two political prisoners who were executed recently [Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour] stated:

It seems like the prisoners who were executed were arrested months before the election and their cases had nothing to do with the post-election events. According to their lawyers they could only have a short meeting with their clients and the legal procedures were not completed for them. It seems like such actions is only to scare people and discourage them from participating in the 11 February [22 Bahman, anniversary of the 1979 Revolution] rally.

The widespread arrests of the political figures, journalists and academia, charged with protesting to defend their rights, are illegal. The process of obtaining confessions from these prisoners is also in contradiction to Islamic principles and the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Karroubi and Mousavi pointed out the sermons delivered by Ahmad Janati, Secretary General of the Guardian Council and the Imam of Tehran, in this week’s Friday Prayers. They expressed regret for the comments made by an Imam in a Friday Prayer:

Unfortunately, instead of using the Friday Prayer’s podium to invite people to good, the Friday Prayer Imam suggested to the head of the Judiciary [Sadegh Larijani] that if they had not shown weakness on the events of 9 July (18 Tir) and if the judiciary would have had executed some [protesters] then, the events of Ashura [27 December] would have not happened. This encourages the authorities to repress and kill people and also justifies the actions of the authorities in executing some citizens with vague and fabricated charges. This is a very sad situation that the platform of Friday Prayer has become a podium for encouraging violence and inviting authorities to execute the citizens.

Mousavi and Karroubi announced that the only way to resolve the current crisis and returning peace to the country is by releasing all political prisoners, opening up free media, letting parties become active again, and holding free elections. They stressed:

Now the majority of the people are present in the scene [streets?] without any fear to regain their rights. Their demand is to hold free elections but it seems like unfortunately the voice of the majority of the people is not being heard [by authorities].

Karroubi and Mousavi announced that the continuation of the current situation will result in harm to the foundations of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic, which have been the outcome of the efforts and sacrifices of many brave Iranians. They added:

It seems like there is an illusion of conspiracy to overthrow the system among some authorities, and this trend of thoughts will make the country fall and will endanger the foundations of the system.

Mousavi and Karroubi emphasised:

The majority of the people only want to regain their rights and are not seeking to overthrow the system, but it seems like the rulers are even feeling danger by this voice of the people seeking justice. The only way to end the crisis is to listen to the voice of the majority and respond to it [appropriately].

It is also important to note that Mousavi and Karoubi invited all the people to participate in the 11 February rally.