From Editor’s Desk – Shahrokh Ahkami – Persian Heritage, No. 83, Fall 2016
Thirty -seven years have passed since Iranians left Iran immigrating to various countries around the world. Happily we have seen the first, second and third generations assimilate into their new communities and cultures. They have reached success socially, in education, in finance, in medicine, in arts and in sciences etc. We have also seen them break high level political positions in England, Sweden, Germany, Holland and we hope soon in the United States.
Unfortunately, unlike the progress made by Iranian Diaspora, over the past thirty-seven years in Iran, Iranians have not fared as well. During these thirty-seven years the youth was suppressed and oppressed.
Today this oppression and suppression is increasing, not lessening. Their rights continue to diminish. Recently 800 clothing stores were forced to shut down by the government, because the clothes they sell did not respect the hijab.
Is it right to impose such an unreasonable restriction on people?
Is it right to impose unreasonable Islamic rule on its people? Is it right to impose horrific punishments for noncompliance of these unreasonable demands?
The Iranian government has listed 10 crimes that have recently increased teenagers of Iran, some are alcohol consumption, sexual offenses, traffic fines, physical and public fighting, and stealing. Who is to blame for these increases? What can a government expect from youth who believe they have no future? Saying that breaking the law should not have punishment, what I am saying is that the laws imposed and punishment of breaking these laws should be reasonable and not routinely give rise to torture, beating imprisonment and execution? Compare these punishments with high level banking and governmental officials who were allowed to freely leave Iran with billions of dollars, after committing much more serious crimes?
Reading this news is upsetting. It makes me wonder where past and present generations of Iran youth would be today, if they had and are given more freedom, if they had and are given a better financial, social and educational opportunities and if they believed or believe they have a future, rather than fearing punishment for asserting their human rights?
I would like to share a very sad story with you. In 1988 more than 15,000 young men and women were executed and more than 4,482 disappeared in the first two months of that year. At that time Ayatollah Montazeri was assigned as successor to Ayatollah Khomeini. During the transition period a tape aired where Ayatollah Montazeri was speaking to the hanging judges, telling them that such executions were a crime and needed to be immediately stopped. Shortly thereafter he was no longer Khomeini’s replacement. Instead the hanging judges were rewarded with high level government positions; for example one who was a prison interrogator became a justice department minister.
Recently Mohammad Tangestani a writer for Radio Zamaneh, a Dutch internet site wrote the following article, Montazeri, Inside the Death Voices, Where Do These Voices Come From, “ the voices say 200 prisoners…,the voices say execution…, the voices say solitary confinement…,…execution…, the voices say you cannot bring these prisoners back to prison,…the voices conflict…, the voices of laughter…. the voice of death, the VOICE, voice.
The writer asks what effect these voices have had on the present history of Iran? What kind of effect do they have on our daily life? Could we be indifferent to these voices like other voices we hear every day and ignore or forget? With the passing of time will these voices become ordinary or will these like nightmares, leave scars on the memory of the Iranian people?
Yes, we have questioned ourselves many times what effects these voices have on the present history of Iran and what effect they will have on future generations of Iranians in and outside of Iran. But do we ever ask ourselves if it is fair that the Iranian youth suffer such horrific consequences –beating, torture, imprisonment and execution- for voicing their opinion against the present political system. To silence such voices confirms the present governments lack of faith in what they impose, a government that is not for the people but rather for the power of a few. And the few can only remain in power through instilling fear.
What kind of Iran would we see today, I ask, if the 15,000 youths executed and 4,482 who disappeared in 1988 had been allowed to exercise simple human rights, were allowed to continue their education, respected rather than feared their government, pursue their careers and have families?
When I read the article about the 1988 execution, I was shocked to see the name of a nineteen year old boy who was imprisoned and executed for not accepting a particular religion. I realized he was the son of my 8th grade physics teacher. He was introduced to my class by the principal; he was well dressed with a warm smile. I remember him speaking Persian but with an Azari (Turkish) accent. From his first lecture my classmates fell in love with him. I noticed he had a tattoo on the back of his hand. Later as we became closer he told me that in Azarbijan he worked in a shoe repair store. At the time he knew not one word of Persian. He was illiterate and overcame it by reading the daily Persian papers. He continued by telling me that he completed in one year, six years of primary education, in one year he completed three years of high school, in one year he completed tenth and eleventh grade, and then twelfth grade. Finally, three years after that he obtained his master in physics. In other words what often takes fifteen years to achieve took him seven. (On a side note he became one of the most prominent professors in Iran, was one of the founders of a very prestigious private school and his physics books are among the most accepted and read.)
He has passed on. I only hope that he passed before the execution of his son in 1988. No parent should have to witness such an event especially over denying a religion or political system. I do wonder, if his son was not executed and was able to pursue his life, if his achievements would have surpassed those of his father. This young man’s execution in 1988 over religious and political choice made me remember a recent news event in the United States.
A member of the National Football League in the United States, refused to stand during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. When asked later he stated that his reason was in protest of African American Civil Rights, or lack thereof. Public opinion on his action was split.
While he protested, by disrespecting his national anthem in view of millions, he received no governmental punishment. The NFL and President Obama took the position that he was exercising his freedom of speech. When I see the freedoms we have in the United States, my heart aches even more for the youth and the people of Iran, who wish for simple freedoms such as religion, politics, liberty speech and even the right to wear what they want.
I hope someday these wishes come true.