Coup Perpetrators to End Their Resistance

In a statement to “all coup perpetrators, fraudsters, and hardliners,” Iran’s pro-reform group, Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), warned them not to “continue their futile resistance” and instead “heed to the wishes and votes of their nations.”

IIPF issued the statement on the occasion of the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma’s civil rights movement. San Suu Kyi was released on November 13 after almost 15 years of house arrest.

The statement of the Participation Front, which the Islamic republic of Iran had recently outlawed, expressed its joy at the release of the Burmese activist who opposes the ruling military junta and called it a “victory for democracy and a fall for dictatorship.”

In a clear reference to the events and conditions in Iran, the statement says, “The freedom of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, the activist of Burma’s civil movement, after 15 years of house arrest and 20 years after the vote of the Burmese were hijacked after an election is a sign of the victory of democracy and the certain fall of dictatorships.”

“In the age of awareness and the era of modern communications, the efforts of dictators to deny nations their rights have failed and victory of people is certain,” the statement further says.

A Sign of Hope
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release brought joy and elation to human rights activists in countries across the world. Her release came 6 days after Burma’s first elections in twenty years, in which the pro junta groups were declared winners. The international community has rejected the integrity of the elections.

The Participation Front
The IIPF’s statement comes at a time when this pro-reform movement in Iran has had its own share of troubles since the June 2009 presidential elections. Its leaders were arrested soon after the announcement of the results of these elections and many continue to be held behind bars on long prison sentences.

Iranian authorities have banned the group, an act that has been rejected by its members. IIPF leaders contend that no trial took place to investigate the issue and they were not represented anywhere regarding the decision to shut the organization.

IIPF was created through the signatures of leaders and members of the election campaign of seyed Mohammad Khatami in 1997 when he won the presidential race and remained president for two consecutive terms. It soon turned into a major political group in Iran. During the elections for the sixth Majlis, it won the majority seats and also formed the majority of cabinet ministers in Khatami’s administrations.

At the height of their power, one of its leaders Saeed Hajjarian was shot at in front Tehran municipality, many of its leaders such as Abbas Abdi were jailed, their newspapers were banned by the authorities and finally its offices were shut after the 2009 presidential election when security agents raided their offices and sealed them off, soon after which their leaders were all detained, tortured and given long prison sentences.

According to IIPF officers, Sarallah Revolutionary Guards force was in charge of confronting the group which it continued to do in prison, interrogating and torturing its members.

IIPF was among the leading pro-reform groups supporting the presidential candidacy of Mir-Hossein Mousavi, in the 2009 presidential race, that was announced to have been won by Ahmadinejad which brought about nation-wide protests and indignation.

Since being declared banned by the Islamic regime, IIPF has continued its activities in support of democratic and civil rights for Iranians.