50 people were executed by public hanging in Iran’s islamic republic in one week

by pat c Tue Aug 14, 2007 18:49

New signatories to the HOPI founding statement in include actress Angela Bruce, who has acted in many dramas such as Angels, Coronation Street, Press gang, Red Dwarf and Prime suspect, and starred in the drama-documentary Mary Seacole: the real angel of the Crimea; film and television director-producer Sonali Fernando, who wrote and directed the aforementioned film on Mary Seacole and has many other credits to her name, including: Carthage: The Roman holocaust, When Britain went bananas and India calling; Lisa Goldman, artistic director of Soho Theatre; and writer David Nicol.

Lastly and most importantly the Workers Solidarity Movement have decided to support HOPI. The WSM has added its names to the HOPI statement and has made a financial donation to HOPI.

These are the demands of HOPI which all of the signatories agree with:

No to imperialist war

No to the theocratic regime

The immediate and unconditional withdrawal of US-UK troops from the Gulf region

Opposition to Israeli expansionism and aggression

Support to all working class and progressive struggles in Iran against poverty and repression

Support for socialism, democracy and workers’ control in Iran

For a nuclear-free Middle East in a nuclear-free world

by Padraic Tue Aug 14, 2007 19:11

Pat, you have posted that same post about a million times.

Give it a rest will you. We get it. you oppose this that and the other, but to date you havent been exactly forthcoming with solutions have you?

How do we over throw the Mullahs with out inviting the Americans in and instilling what ever Puppet regime they want. We are dealing with realities here, not some whimsical socialist Utopian fairytale.

How do you intend to deal with the rather tricky reality that 98% of Iran is Islamic and want and would continue to want an Islamic Government.

When the Americans decide to bomb Iran how do you prevent articles like this from being trumpeted by the Neo-cons as yet more justification for the attack?

Why do you constantly single out Iran for its Human rights abuses yet remain silent on atrocities carried out in other regimes. I have never once heard you call for the overthrow of the Israeli Government? The Chinese Government, the North Korean Government, The Indonesian Government, The Cuban Government.... the list goes on and on, not to mention the US government the British Government, The Irish Government who are complicit and guilty of some the greatest crimes against humanity the world has seen in generations.

Come on Pat, less parroting please. Give us YOUR insights.

by pat c Tue Aug 14, 2007 19:23

"Pat, you have posted that same post about a million times."

No. This is a new article by an Iranian Socialist.

"Give it a rest will you. We get it. you oppose this that and the other, but to date you havent been exactly forthcoming with solutions have you?"

You musnt have read my articles or those by Iranian socialists then.

"How do we over throw the Mullahs with out inviting the Americans in and instilling what ever Puppet regime they want. We are dealing with realities here, not some whimsical socialist Utopian fairytale."

Read the articles by the Iranian socialists. Or perhaps yo know better than them.

"How do you intend to deal with the rather tricky reality that 98% of Iran is Islamic and want and would continue to want an Islamic Government."

Read the article take this piece:


Many young people (over 70% of the population is under 25) are also rebelling against the religious state’s interference in every aspect of private and public life.

It is ironic that, for all the prohibitions imposed by the shia clerics in Iran for the last 28 years, the generations born since the islamic revolution show no acceptance of religious rules and regulations. In fact, having witnessed the hypocrisy of a ‘religious state’ that bans alcohol yet turns a blind eye, or even contributes, to drug addiction, prostitution, re-sale of confiscated alcohol, etc, the young in Iran rightly associate the ‘pious’ islamic state and its organs of power with double standards, corruption and bribery.

The open rebellion of youth against religious diktat and the brutal way the regime has resorted to public hangings and lashings also exposes the shallowness of the argument of apologists for the islamic regime who imply that workers’, democratic and women’s rights are ‘western values’ that should not be ‘imposed’ on muslims. On the contrary, these are basic, universal rights won through decades of struggle throughout the world.

"When the Americans decide to bomb Iran how do you prevent articles like this from being trumpeted by the Neo-cons as yet more justification for the attack?"

How could an article which opposes the US be used by Neo Cons. You havent even read the article.

"Why do you constantly single out Iran for its Human rights abuses yet remain silent on atrocities carried out in other regimes. I have never once heard you call for the overthrow of the Israeli Government? "

Thats a lie I have articles here on Indy supporting the Palestinians.

"The Chinese Government, the North Korean Government, "

Do a search, I oopose them.

"The Indonesian Government, "

Not sure if I ever attacked them.

"The Cuban Government.... "

I criticise Cubas oppression of dissidents but I support Cuba against the US and I think the Economic blockade should be dropped.

"the list goes on and on, not to mention the US government the British Government, The Irish Government who are complicit and guilty of some the greatest crimes against humanity the world has seen in generations."

You know nothing about me. Thats obvious from what you have written.

"Come on Pat, less parroting please. Give us YOUR insights."

Agreeing with and supporting Iranian socialists is not parrotting. Its obvious though that you know nothing about me or you wouldnt have written such nonsense.

by pi squared Sat Aug 18, 2007 21:49

padraig "When the Americans decide to bomb Iran how do you prevent articles like this from being trumpeted by the Neo-cons as yet more justification for the attack?"

ummm, not trying to question your intelligence, but do you actually think there is the remotest chance of this happening, or were you drunk when you suggested this?

I can you see it now;

CNN -" President Bush, surely this is just a naked act of aggression against a peaceful liberal democracy?"

Bush - "You know, I thought the same myself - but then I read Pat C's criticism's of the theocratic and anti-labor stance of the Iranian govt - that's when I decided to go in."

by Fred Johnston Mon Aug 20, 2007 03:14 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie

Lord, how irritating are these 1st Year student noms-de-plume. And the word is 'hanged,' not hung. The US will undoubtedly pull a CIA-operated internal 'opposition' job in Iran, which, with any luck, the Iranians will be sensible enough to see through, unlike the last, distant, time. If the US are so concerned with human rights, they might ask the Saudis to stop beheading people - or the Chinese to cease . . . . etc etc etc.

by Amy Tue Aug 21, 2007 04:10

Surely you don't support the hanging of these fifty people though?

by Watcher Tue Aug 21, 2007 08:09

Amy asks,
"Surely you don't support the hanging of these fifty people though?"

See how insidious propaganda is? In a few posts, an allegation posted by someone with an agenda is touted as undeniable fact and used to browbeat those that might have a different view on matters to do with Iran.

by Sources Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:44

You have yet to condemn any of these executions. You have not condemned the imprisonment of Iranian trade unionists. You have not called for their release. You have not called for the legalisation of Trade Unions in Iran. You have not called for the legalisation of opposition parties in Iran.

Given the above its not unfair to presume that you are a supporter or at least a fellow-traveller of the Iranian Government.

by Watcher Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:40

More from sources,

"You have yet to condemn any of these executions. You have not condemned the imprisonment of Iranian trade unionists. You have not called for their release. You have not called for the legalisation of Trade Unions in Iran. You have not called for the legalisation of opposition parties in Iran.
Given the above its not unfair to presume that you are a supporter or at least a fellow-traveller of the Iranian Government."

This shows the level of logic that is being applied and the use of the Stalinist tactic of condamnation by ommission.

I condemn all executions. (You haven't condemned executions in the US, therefore you must agee with them. Fair comment?)

I condemn the unlawful imprisonment of all people no matter where that is. Do you? Guantanimo for instance.

The freedom to join a Trade Union is a right. Do you condemn the harrasment and persecution of those who try to organise Trade Unions in the US? We could do this all day.

Your problem is that you have difficulty with those that disagree with you. Sorry for your troubles but I am not convinced that this repeated singling out of Iran for attack is not part of a campaign to reduce opposition to a planned invasion.

by Sources Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:01

"This shows the level of logic that is being applied and the use of the Stalinist tactic of condamnation by ommission. "

But up till now, despite many opportunities you declined to condemn the executions in Iran.

"I condemn all executions. (You haven't condemned executions in the US, therefore you must agee with them. Fair comment?) "

Not a fair comment. This thread is about Iran not the US,. Now that you ask, yes I condemn all executions. But leave out the red herrings.

"I condemn the unlawful imprisonment of all people no matter where "that is. Do you? Guantanimo for instance."

This article is not about Guantanimo, so thats a red herring. But yes I do condemn all torture.

"The freedom to join a Trade Union is a right. Do you condemn the harrasment and persecution of those who try to organise Trade Unions in the US? We could do this all day. "

But thiis article is not about the US. Its about Iran. I support workers rights world-wide. But workers are not flogged in the US. Unions are legal in the US. Another red herring from you.

"Your problem is that you have difficulty with those that disagree with you."

And your problem is you wont accept any criticism of Iran.

"Sorry for your troubles but I am not convinced that this repeated singling out of Iran for attack is not part of a campaign to reduce opposition to a planned invasion.
"

Thats right! Those of us who support rights for Iranian workers and oppose any US aggression are all part of the Bush Plot! Do you even believe that nonsense yourself?

by Feudal castrato Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:03

Lord, how irritating it is when uber author "wrong said" Fred Johnston corrects your spelling, insults you, then proceeds to make obvious points that you have already made on this topic on other threads on this site (curiously there are rather a lot of anti Iran threads here these days), as if they were being made for the very first time.

Blah!

by wageslave Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:18

I think the problem with HOPOI among others is that although they profess to be anti US imperialist attacks on the people of Iran (and logically I assume they must be anti ANY KIND of imperialist attacks against the people of iran INCLUDING damaging propaganda attacks), ythey never seem to publish any articles on this site highlighting and condemning such imperialist attacks.

This makes their stated anti imperialist stance seem more like just a PR front which they hide behind and that their real purpose is to just write anti Iranian government articles and highlight disproportionately any wrongs committed by that government.

Personally I'd be greatly reassured if I saw some balance in the form of a few anti imperialist articles from HOPOI regarding the US and their rather unpleasant activities inside and outside Iran lately

by Watcher Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:19

Sources

"But up till now, despite many opportunities you declined to condemn the executions in Iran"

So this makes me a what exactly?.

"Not a fair comment. This thread is about Iran not the US,"

You are sure correct here and not only this thread but a good many more all attacking Iran and posted by the same source..

"This article is not about Guantanmo, so thats a red herring."

So injustice is only relevent when occuring in Iran. I've heard Guantanimo called many things by those that try to excuse it, but never a "red herring"

And this beaut,

"But thiis article is not about the US. Its about Iran. I support workers rights world-wide. But workers are not flogged in the US. Unions are legal in the US. Another red herring from you."

Note the immediate defence of the US. They don't flog workers? It is estimated that the majority of unmarked graves in America are filled with people who took on the bosses. Check it out. The Mafia are only in the halfpenny place. But this begs the question, do you know anything about what goes on in the US relating to these matters.

"And your problem is you wont accept any criticism of Iran"

You simply can't see the point can you. I thought for a while that you were just bulling through. It's not what you are saying about Iran, it's the volume of attacks and your failure to attack other countries with the same vehemence who have worse records and when that fact if coupled with the prepartions that are being made to invade Iran it makes this singling out of Iran at least sinister.

"Thats right! Those of us who support rights for Iranian workers and oppose any US aggression are all part of the Bush Plot! Do you even believe that nonsense yourself?"

Maybe you are just a naive onlooker after all.

by Sources Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:24

" think the problem with HOPOI among others is that although they profess to be anti US imperialist attacks on the people of Iran (and logically I assume they must be anti ANY KIND of imperialist attacks against the people of iran INCLUDING damaging propaganda attacks), ythey never seem to publish any articles on this site highlighting and condemning such imperialist attacks."

I can only suggest that you actually read the stories published in full. You will see that they are very much mixed and also contain attacks and criticisms of US IMperialism. Do a search for Iran in the search box and you will be able to see the articles in question.

"This makes their stated anti imperialist stance seem more like just a PR front which they hide behind and that their real purpose is to just write anti Iranian government articles and highlight "ndisproportionately any wrongs committed by that government."

As I stated above, please do a search, read the articles and reconsider. Perhaps you will change mind, perhaps yo will not.

"Personally I'd be greatly reassured if I saw some balance in the form of a few anti imperialist articles from HOPOI regarding the US and their rather unpleasant activities inside and outside Iran lately"

Again, all I can suggest is that you search and read.

by Sources Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:29

You are just trying to divert this discussion away from Iran. Its not about the US, Guatanamo, its about Iran. You should write articles about the other topics you raise. I will post comments in support of you. But this thread ia about Iran.

"It is estimated that the majority of unmarked graves in America are filled with people who took on the bosses."

Estimated by who? That statement is extraordinary. US trade unions make no such assertions. It kind of undermines your credibility.

by wageslave Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:50

"I can only suggest that you actually read the stories published in full. You will see that they are very much mixed and also contain attacks and criticisms of US IMperialism"

And it's funny , the headlines always seem to be condemning Iran.

How about some articles with big headlines clearly condemning US imperialism

by Sources Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:54

Its unfortunate that you only read the headlines. Your attitude unfortunately suggests that you are not interested in serious debates. Actually not all of the article titles condemn the Iranian Government, but surely articles about the repression of workers and women and executions would be critical of the Iranian Government.

by Sources Tue Aug 21, 2007 16:40

More organisations are joining in the campaign to stop this wave of barbaric executions.

A new wave of executions has started in Iran. Only in the last few weeks 25 people have been hanged in various cities. Gruesome scenes from the hangings, which are taking place in public and are aimed at intimidating people, can be seen in papers and on the Internet. Iranian judicial authorities are talking about more executions to come. The threat is now hanging over many prisoners, including political prisoners. This savagery must be stopped.

The “International Society for Human Rights” and the “International Committee Against Execution” are calling for international protests, from 13 August, to stop this massacre in Iran.

Such scenes should not be allowed to be repeated. Let us remember the massacres in Iran in 1981-83 and in the summer of 1988 in which tens of thousands of political prisoners were shot and hanged and buried in mass graves. Unfortunately, the western governments and international media kept quiet and left the public in complete ignorance about what had happened.

Aug 2007
For more information:
Tel: 0049-1775692413 (M)
Fax: 0049-69-420 108-33
[email protected]

Full text of this article is at the following url.

by Watcher Tue Aug 21, 2007 17:23

"You are just trying to divert this discussion away from Iran. Its not about the US, Guatanamo, its about Iran."

In the interests of open and honest debate, I will try this one more time. The above assertion is wrong. In order to have any relevence this thread can only be about injustice. To repeatedly post attacking one country for it's injustices is merely to use that as an excuse to attack that country. Injustice is injustice is injustice and it is futile to pretend that by attacking one country on the issue that somehow every other country whose record is as bad or worse will suddenly become bastions of justice and fairness. There is a basic dishonesty about this continued posting on injustices in only one country while we know that there are many other countries where injustice is as bad and worse. The real concern is that when you couple this singling out of Iran with the very obvious desire by the hawks in Washington to launch an invasion, it becomes a little sinister.
And that view is as valid as any other view on the matter.

by Sources Tue Aug 21, 2007 17:31

You are a troll. This thread is about Iran, it is not about every injustice in the world. Your attempts to disrupt this thread are not working.

You choose to spend your time attacking Anti-Imperialists rather than attacking the real neo-cons who post here.

Away with you.

by Watcher Tue Aug 21, 2007 17:58

"You are a troll. This thread is about Iran, it is not about every injustice in the world. Your attempts to disrupt this thread are not working."

Aside from the name calling you are again wrong even though you yourself are the poster. This thread is about injustice but is confining itself to injustices as experienced only in Iran. That in itself is an injustice because it fails to name other places with similiar or worse records

"You choose to spend your time attacking Anti-Imperialists rather than attacking the real neo-cons who post here"

I am attacking nobody , I am merely trying to point out an obvious inconsistancy. It is wrong to say that injustice is being challanged and then confine that challange to one tiny area of the globe when injustice is rampant elsewhere.

"Away with you."

That's your problem.

by pat c Tue Aug 21, 2007 18:39

"Aside from the name calling you are again wrong even though you yourself are the poster. This thread is about injustice but is confining itself to injustices as experienced only in Iran. That in itself is an injustice because it fails to name other places with similiar or worse records"

The thread is about Iran. You are trolling. Otherwise you would be posting on every other thread which only deals with injustice in one country.

"I am attacking nobody , I am merely trying to point out an obvious inconsistancy. It is wrong to say that injustice is being challanged and then confine that challange to one tiny area of the globe when injustice is rampant elsewhere."

There you go again. The thread is about Iran. Nobody is stopping you from mentioning every injustice in the world whenever you post a story. But you will not impose your demands on me.

The fact is that Iranian workers have international support. Your trolling has brought more people on to Indymedia posting in support of the Iranian workers and HOPOI.

Thank you.

by kal-el Tue Aug 21, 2007 18:52

Most if this is you as a sock-puppet. Its so obvious its embarrassing.

You are talking handfuls pat, stop deluding yourself.

by pat c Tue Aug 21, 2007 18:56

Sock puppetery is when you carry on conversations with several of your own pseudonyms.

Krossie & Alan are well known members of the WSM. David L is secretary of the IPSC. Mary Muldowney is a long standing activist. Gurgle is a well known contributer to Indy. Members of SF have also posted in support of HOPI and the Iranian TUs.

by Watcher Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:01

"The thread is about Iran"

Wrong, it is about injustice in Iran. If it were about Iran, are you saying that Iran has only a single aspect worth commenting on, it's injustices, that would be rediculous.

You are attacking Iran, that is what you are about. The reasons are not so obvious but one could speculate.

by kal-el Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:02

Massive support Pat. Truly massive.

I rest my case.

by pat c Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:05

You are forgetting the international action in support of the Iranian workers. Go to the HOPOI site and read the list of supporters. You are merely trolling now.

Also none of those who are attacking these threads are prepared to reveal their identities. You dont have the courage of your convictions.

by kal-el Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:07

Since you're so fond of condemning things Pat, you haven't been very forthcoming with your opinions of the Bush regimes listing of Iran's IRG as a terrorist organisation.

Are you for or against?

by pat c Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:13

I'm against it. I have no love for the Revolutionary Guards but this measure will be used to impose sanctions on Iran which will be damaging to ordinary Iranians. The RGs also run some charities. This branding of the RG as terrorist could allow western govts to brand as terrorist supporters those who gave to such charities.

by kal-el Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:21

"You are forgetting the international action in support of the Iranian workers. Go to the HOPOI site and read the list of supporters. You are merely trolling now."

I was just saying to my partner that I was getting annoyed that I couldn't watch anything on TV because the coverage of all these international actions was saturating the airwaves having such massive support that It would take an event of biblical proportions to take it off our screens and/or bump it from the Front pages.

Gimme a break.

I know you do it so you can run back to your HOPOI superiors with a wagging tail bragging about how good a little activist you've been, but can you please go in search of lolly pops else where.

You forget yourself Pat and the platform from which you preach. Indymedia Ireland has a tiny audience.

by pat c Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:25

"was just saying to my partner that I was getting annoyed that I couldn't watch anything on TV because the coverage of all these international actions was saturating the airwaves having such massive support that It would take an event of biblical proportions to take it off our screens and/or bump it from the Front pages."

Thats just childishness. The reality is that workers all over the world are in solidarity with the Iranianian TUs. You lot wont even use your own names. Forall anyone knows you might all be the one troll.

"I know you do it so you can run back to your HOPOI superiors with a wagging tail bragging about how good a little activist you've been, but can you please go in search of lolly pops else where."

More childish trolling.

"You forget yourself Pat and the platform from which you preach. Indymedia Ireland has a tiny audience. "

Your ignorance is truly astounding. Indymedia gets more than 300,000 unique ip address hits every month.

by kal-el Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:30

Indemedia Ireland does not get 300,000 different IP hits a month.

Politics.ie doesn't even get anywhere near that

You're lying Pat. AGAIN.

by pat c Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:31

An Indy editor will wise yiu up shortly.

by kal-el Wed Aug 22, 2007 08:54

Still waiting Pat.

by Mark Wed Aug 22, 2007 09:06

Pat C is correct about the number of unique IP hits indy gets per month. Politics.ie isn't even a tenth of the size of indymedia, it gets about 20,000 unique IP hits per month. This has been covered before on indymedia and on politics.ie.

by Kal-el Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:02

Indymedia Ireland never was nor never will be bigger than Politics.ie. Indymedia intenation is a different story but we are not talking about that are we.

If this was covered, it should be so hard to provide proof then should. And please stick to indymedia Ireland not the unbrella organisation.

by Mark Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:53

First of all its laughable that you think that politics.ie is bigger than indymedia.ie. It shows you live in a very sheltered world. The idea that a politics debate site in Ireland would be bigger than indymedia in Ireland is ridiculous. The two websites are completely different beasts. More right wing people prefer politics.ie, it is not a news site it is a discussion board and people debate about local elections in Cobh 2009 (riveting stuff). Indymedia is prefered by the left and read by all sides, it is a news site and you can read about Norwegian youth politicians detained in Western Sahara https://www.indymedia.ie/article/83892

Here is some links for you

http://forum.politics.ie/viewtopic.php?t=16186&postdays...art=0
This one is a link to a support indymedia thread on politics.ie in which Chekov discusses some of the differences between politcs.ie and indymedia.ie

Here's a link to an article on indymedia about it
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/80521

Another link to another discussion on it on politics.ie
http://www.politics.ie/viewtopic.php?p=333754#333754

by Leon Sedov Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:45

The People oppose the Ahmadinejad regime. Support the People.

Growing opposition against Ahmadinejad’s regime

In the recent period, the Iranian regime has been shaken by increased opposition and workers’ struggle. Well known workers’ leader, Mahmoud Salehi, was arrested on 9 April. Protests are now organised because he has health problems which could put his life in danger. In June, the bus drivers' union leader, Mansour Ossanlou, was sentenced to five years in prison. Student and women activists have also been subject to increased repression. Hundreds of youth have been harassed, beaten up or arrested for "improper clothing".

Mahmoud Salehi, who was the leader of the Bakers' union in Saqez, became well known when he organised the May Day demonstrations in 2004. With six other leaders, he was sentenced to four years in prison, a verdict suspended subject to appeal this spring. In April, he was arrested in an attempt to prevent May Day demonstrations, particularly in Kurdistan. His wife and son have recently made public appeals to release him, since his health is rapidly deteriorating. Salehi has only one kidney and the other is only functioning at 50 per cent, partly as a result of rough treatment during previous arrests.

Also workers at the Khodro (Peugeot) factory have reported that management have sacked trade union activists. This is a plant with 40,000 workers, known for attempts to form independent unions and for several protests.

A common feature facing the families of arrested trade union activists is that they receive no information on their loved ones from the police. When Mansour Ossanlou, a leader of the bus drivers’ union, was on trial, even his lawyers were banned from reporting the prosecution’s accusations publicly.

by Kal-el Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:48

I'll conceed the point that Indy is bigger than I thought but I cannot agree that it is 10 times bigger than Politics.ie.

Using the traffic graph in Alexa tells a different story. Its shows traffic volume to be roughly equal.
Indymedia.org by comparison and as expected has a huge traffic volume.

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?site0...t.com

It is also interesting to note that Indymedia.ie has a substantial Iranian hit rate (roughly half that of the UK hit rate)
with 4.3% of Indymedia.ie users coming from Iran.

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=I...ia.ie

by Mark Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:03

The alexa graph isn't an accurate account of hits to indymedia. It is discussed on politics.ie in the links I provided. I am not versed in the problems with it but Chekov did give a good explanation of it in one of the links above. Interesting to know about the Iranian hits though considering that certain websites are banned from public access there.

by Kal-el Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:15

Here is a list of the Top 100 most popular websites in Iran

http://www.alexa.com/site/ds/top_sites?cc=IR&ts_mode=co...=none.

Indymedia.ie is ranked 32,337th most popular.

Interestingly Wikipedia is Number 10

by kal-el Wed Aug 22, 2007 17:37

I note that the figure given for Iran has dropped to 3.8% from the figure I gave this morning of 4.3%

This might simply be a periodic re-adjustment or may indeed reflect a crackdown on Internet access by the Iranian regime.

by Giuseppe Zangara Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:32

Executions continue in Iran and the stoning to death of women is defended by the Iranian Regime.

Wednesday, 10 October 2007 - The mullahs' regime hanged four prisoners in the northern city of Babol and the western city of Sahneh. A woman was also sentenced to death by stoning. In the past ten months, in excess of 250 prisoners were hanged and 71 juveniles are on the death row in Iran. In the notorious Gohardasht Prison, there are over 600 prisoners on the death row and 60 political prisoners are under constant torture in the regime's detention centers, in particular the dreadful ward 209, in the notorious Evin Prison.

Saturday, 13 October 2007 - Two men were hanged in the province of Kurdistan, north-west Iran, earlier this week on the World Day Against the Death Penalty. The two men were identified as Kiumars and Nader Mohammadi, authorities announced on Friday.

During the last 10 months, eleven women have been sentenced to death by stoning.

Mohammad-Javad Larijani, the mullahs’ Judiciary Chief Advisor and an ideologue within the clerical regime said, "Stoning is neither torture nor is it an improper punishment," the state-run news agency ISNA reported today. Admitting that there is no mention of stoning in "holy Quran" or in the teachings of the "prophet Mohammad's," Larijani said, "As long as it is [written] in our laws it would be proper to hand down such a penalty by the judges…It is obvious that stoning is a lesser sentence in comparison to hanging since the [victim] stands a chance of staying alive after stoning."

by Giuseppr Zangara Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:49

On the World Day Against the Death Penalty, political prisoners in prisons throughout Iran published an open letter. The call includes prisoners in Evin Prison, Gohardasht Prison, Central Prison in the northern city of Orumieh, Central Prison in the northeastern city of Birjand, Diesel Abad Prison in the western city of Kermanshah, Bandar Abbas and Ahwaz Prisons in the south Iran.

They announced a three days hunger strike to protest the new wave of executions in Iran.

"Executions have become a way of life in our country and even innocent children are not spared from the horror of watching victims die on the cranes. It is obvious to everyone in Iran that the primary goal for such heinous crimes, for the mullahs' regime, is to spread panic in the country," the letter added.

"The deprived workers have not been paid for months in Iran. To protest, we have decided to hold a three days hunger strike in the prisons nationwide," the prisoners stated.

"We summarize our demands as following:

1. An immediate halt to all public and group executions and further to abrogate the degrading punishment all together in Iran;

2. Put an end to physical and psychological torture as well as systematic attacks on the political prisoners in Iran. In the past few weeks, we have witnessed that two of our fellow inmates, Afshin Baemani and Javid Tehrani were severely beaten by the prison guards. Mr. Baemani suffered abdominal cuts and did not receive any medical treatment for hours after the torture. With the same condition, he was called in and in the course of fresh interrogations his nose was broken. Our families are under constant harassment by the agents of Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) not to follow our cases;

3. We defend the rights of all workers especially that of the sugar cane factory workers in the southwestern city of Shoosh;

4. We the political prisoners demand that the rights of all workers, student activists, women as well as all other people be respected in Iran."

by Hacker Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:59

Did this letter from Iraninan Prisoners on Death Row express any solidarity with their US counterparts.
I trust it was a unanimous call to end the Death Penalty in all terrotories not just Iran.

Particular interest must be paid to any call for the ending of torture especially in light of what the US does to its prisoners in Cuba. Most of whom could of course be described as political Prisoners.

Genuine solidarity is needed here not just another bout of Iran bashing.

by Giuseppe Zangara Tue Oct 16, 2007 13:15

What kind of sick people attack political prisoners on death row?

The Iranian Regime boasts about how many people it hangs but thats a bit uncomgortable for the Iranian Govt fans here. So they have to deny it.

Does the SWP support these attacks on Iranian Socialists and Trade Unionists? Or is this just the worker of some of theuir stupider members? It would be interesting to know the answer.

by Anne - HOPI Ireland Tue Oct 16, 2007 19:29

Why do you have such a problem with supporting the workers and others in struggle in Iran. You seem to need either to downplay it so it does not matter or else to suggest that these struggles are misinformation i.e lies. Are you a supporter of the Iranian regime? Do you seriously not see the kind of attacks that are happening? HOPI stands against US imperialism and we argue that it offers nothing but barbarism. But that does not mean we should turn our backs on the struggles within Iran. You want us to do just that.

by Watcher Wed Oct 17, 2007 08:06

Lets challange Anne - HOPI Ireland,

"Why do you have such a problem with supporting the workers and others in struggle in Iran."

Nobody that posts here is against workers in struggle, anywhere. The point here is that Pat.C's posts repeatedly attack Iran as if workers are free from exploitation everywhere else.

"You seem to need either to downplay it so it does not matter or else to suggest that these struggles are misinformation i.e lies."

A lot of the stuff posted today about Iran is lies and part of CIA proaganda to demonise Iran and soften up world opinion on the plan to invade.

"Are you a supporter of the Iranian regime?"

Not relevent to the point that is being made and that is that exploitation and injustice must be challanged everywhere they occur. To single out one country is playing into the hands of the Bush Neo-cons.

" Do you seriously not see the kind of attacks that are happening?"

These attacks are happening to a far greater extent elsewhere. Why not address that?

" HOPI stands against US imperialism and we argue that it offers nothing but barbarism"

Fine, lets have a few more posts headling US imperialism and barbarism" and maybe then people will take your attacks on Iran a bit more seriously.

"But that does not mean we should turn our backs on the struggles within Iran."

Can you explain why Iran is so special when it comes to social justice? Why should Iran have a headline post attacking it every few days and usually stuff cut and pasted from dubious sites and sources? Why is Iran singled out?

" You want us to do just that."

No, we want you to be honest and if you want to attack exploitation and injustice then do so, wherever it is happening and not just in Iran. People are actually trying to draw your attention to how obviously one-sided your take on the world is and that is leaving you open to the accusation of being stooges of then CIA no matter what your intentions are.

by Drew - WPRM Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:50 wprm_ireland at yahoo dot com

What is so difficult to understand about HOPI's line on the Iranian regime? The current reactionary state in Iran is not capable of resisting imperialist aggression and its current sabre rattling is doing nothing more than driving anti-imperialist minded people towards that regime. The Iranian peoples' resistance to the oppression they are experiencing should be supported by all progressive people.

Siding with the peoples' enemies is not a progressive stand no matter how much you twist HOPI's arguements.

by Miriam Thu Oct 18, 2007 17:11

It seems pretty clear that some people secretly do want the US to wage war on Iran and dont care who or how many get killed so long as Ahmadinejad gets punished.

by Giuseppe Thu Oct 18, 2007 17:22

The above reports are true. Do you think Amnesty are lieing about Iran? Why would anyone want to hide the fact that there are Political Prisoners on Death Row in Iran? I would hope that you would publicise it.

The US is an Imperialist nation which has its own reasons for wanting to invade Iran. All right thinking people must oppose that.

But all right thinking people must also oppose the Iranian Government which tortures and executes prisoners. Miriam you have written here many times on Chomsky and how you admire him. I hope you realise that Noam Chomsky supports internal Regime Change in Iran.

No to US Imperialism & No to the Iranian Dictatorship.

by Watcher Thu Oct 18, 2007 18:03

"No to US Imperialism & No to the Iranian Dictatorship"

And no to the selective condemnation of oppression and injustice. Condemn all oppression or none lest we be accussed of being the stooges of those whose intentions and actions have nothing to do with releiving oppression but rather to get a further foothold in the region to exploit it's resources.

by Miriam Thu Oct 18, 2007 20:23

No to all dictatorships. No to all oppression. No to singling out one country over all others when it is in danger of being annihilated, not because of its oppression but because of its resrouces. The victims in Iran will be the oppressed, above all others. That's what the US wants. Be even handed - attack US oppression of minorities and other country's oppression too. Stop helping to persuade people that Iran is a uniquely evil place above all others. That's a dangerous lie - most dangerous of all to the very people you claim to support. Stop aiding the war propaganda.

by Giuseppe Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:30

This story is about Iran. Its not about every country, its not about every injustice. You poststories which deal with only one topic at a time. Why? Does that mean that you are ignoring every other injustice? No! You just realise that in one story you cannot deal with every problem in the world. The story would end up as gibberish.

The story above and the relevant comments attempt to illustrate how political prisoners are tortured and murdered in Iran. It cannot deal with every problem in the world. The thread is about Iran just as many of your stories are about single countries and topics.

By attacking that story and by attacking those who support Iranian Political Prisoners you are objectively putting yourself on the side of the Iranian Dictatorship (whatever your subjective reasoning).

by Hacker Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:53

Pat, its your objectives, your reasoning that is under question here.

Your complete inability to address those concerns only help to illustrate you as a one man show who contrives and assembles articles such as those you incessantly post here and uses reputable agencies (as if they support you) to further your own agenda that seems more the reflections of individual whim or separatist ambition based on personal aggrievances and a hatred of the Mullahs. You are hardly objective and as such are not a credible information source.

The fact you use a blanket of pseudonyms pushes this into the surreal and any last shred of credibility you had is gone.

The VOA's persian service (now that is has been discredited by the 'democracy fund') is looking for suitably qualified Islamic misanthropes. Perhaps you should apply.

by Giuseppe Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:01

Here is the latest release from Amnesty International regarding executions in Iran.

Amnesty International today expressed alarm at the new wave of executions in Iran and said that it has already recorded almost 250 executions since the beginning of 2007, although the true total of those put to death could be significantly higher.

The victims of the latest executions include a woman who was apparently convicted for a murder which took place as she sought to protect herself from an attempted rape, and one or possibly three child offenders.

Amnesty is gravely concerned at reports that six members of Iran’s Arab minority are also at risk of imminent execution. According to their families, Rasool ‘Ali Mezrea’, 65, Hamza Sawari, 20, Zamel Bawi, ‘Abdul-Imam Za’eri, Nazem Bureihi and Ahmad Marmazi, 35, all held in Karoun Prison, Khuzestan, have been moved to a cell reserved for those soon to be executed.

Rasool ‘Ali Mezrea’ is a member of the Ahwazi Liberation Organization (ALO) and is recognized as a refugee by the United Nations High commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and had been accepted for resettlement in a third country, but was forcibly returned to Iran from Syria on 16 May 2006.

Full story at link.

by Hacker Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:19

How about a modicum of balance Pat.

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE150622007?op...G-ISR

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR510872007

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR620142007?op...G-COD

by Hacker Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:27

Here is a good campaign for anyone who wants to see Iran free from Imperial Agression.

Note that Bush has recently ratcheted up the bogus rhetoric regarding Iran developing a Nuclear Weapon citing it will lead to WW3.

http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php

Reform comes from within, preferabley through a Velvet revolution, anyone who espouses otherwise is a chicken-hawk by another name with a personal agenda.

by Giuseppe Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:32

Twelve prisoners hanged in a single day in Tehran and Shiraz

The Iranian prison system hanged nine prisoners identified as Fakhteh S. (female), Morteza R., Behzad M., Hossein, Hamid, Babak, Mohammadreza Sh., Kiyan, and Sadeq Q. in the notorious Tehran Evin Prison, the state-run news agency ISNA reported yesterday.

Three other prisoners identified as Vahid H., Mohammad A., and Ahmad H., were hanged in public in the southern city of Shiraz, the state-run news agency Fars reported on October 17.

by Giuseppe Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:49

Its fairly obvious that Hacker is a member of the SWP. Either that or working for the Iranian Embassy.

Who else would try and derail a story about the torture and murder of Iranian Political Prisoners? But Hacker is determined to shout it down.

Hes obviously one of the more poisonous SWP members but not very bright.

by Hacker Fri Oct 19, 2007 13:01

You haven't a clue do you. No one will ever mistake you for a detective. Falsification isnt one of your better skills either is it Pat despite your liberal though haphazard application of it. Your playing to the gallery and pandering to base emotive yodelling belie your insincerity.

Even for a mouth piece you display very basic comprehension skills. I wonder do you really believe the garbage you spout in your defence.

No more to see here.

by Giuseppe Fri Oct 19, 2007 13:37

Who else has a motive for attacking Iranian Political Prisoners?

The SWP is totally uncritical of the SWP. The SWP attacks anyone who supports Workers, Womens or LGBT Rights in Iran.

by Hacker Fri Oct 19, 2007 14:58

Of course the SWP is uncritical of the SWP. I would have thought that was obvious.

What is your point Pat? Your feeble powers of deduction are quite wreckless. You now appear to be becoming unhinged.

As an aside however, please quote the SWP material that is so antagonistic toward workers and LGBT rights in Iran.

by Giuseppe Fri Oct 19, 2007 16:09

The only unhinged person here is hacker. You are trolling a thread which is about Political Prisoners on Death Row. What kind of vermin are you?

Keep it up you are exposing the SWP for what they are. Just go to their sites and read their poison.

by observer Fri Oct 19, 2007 16:27

I'm guessing (with reason) that this Hacker/Guiseppe/Willi 'debate' is a Miriam C/Pat C debacle under false flags. I don't think the SWP are involved.

Why don't the two of youse just do one long post each explaining your position?

It seems to me that anybody who criticises the regime in Iran at this time is being attacked by some elements as somehow supportive of the US plans to attack. I think that's very unfair. Maybe I'm wrong, but it appears critics of the Iranian government are being told to shut up while the crisis with Bush is ongoing. That's not a position I could support.

by Giuseppe Fri Oct 19, 2007 16:37

I dont believe that Hacker is Miriam. It doesnt sound like her.

Posters on Indymedia have a right to retain their anonymity. HOPI has posted many articles explaining its position. You could do a search here or go to http://www.hopoi.org

While you are there you could have a look at HOPIs impresive list of sponsors.

by Anne HOPI - HOPI Fri Oct 19, 2007 18:15

Iran is important because it plays a central role in the politics of the middle-east. It is also being targetted by imperialism as part of the 'war on terror'. We stand against the US and its allies.

But we stand with the people of Iran, not the regime. As a revolutionary I take the side of the working class and the masses, not the side of the ruling class.

It is obvious to all but the most politically blinkered that the Iranian regime is unsupportable. And in order to divert attention from the lack of solidarity with the Iranian people, the likes of Hacker try to pretend that struggles and injustices in Iran are all made up. More, Hacker then accuses us of being agents of the CIA. It seems to me that no matter what proof we come up with, Hacker will keep on burying his/her head in the sand.

Meanwhile we will continue the campaign and I hope people can come along to the Teach-In on 10th November at the Teachers Club, Dublin 12.30-6pm for an informed and interesting debate.

Anne

by Drew - World Peoples' Resistance Movement Fri Oct 19, 2007 18:25 wprm_ireland at yahoo dot com

Well said Anne. Those that want to support the Iranian regime against the US have no faith in the masses themselves. Expecting the Iranian people to fight and die in the interests of their class enemies shows a serious lack of ideological maturity.