Persian and English-language analyses which have attempted to comprehend these events have ranged from a dismissal of the election process as a completely engineered one, to uncritical support for the election results. Among the many analyses which I have read, I have found the Persian-language analyses by Mohammad Nourizad and Mohammad Reza Nikfar to be the most thoughtful.
Continue reading Analyses of 2013 Iranian Presidential Election
Although the recent disqualification of two candidates Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei from the election, is very significant and further reveals the intense power struggles within the regime, more significant are the defining issues which continue to fuel the grassroots discontent inside Iran. These issues are the following:
Translator’s Note:
Yashar Darolshafa, a young activist-thinker with a Master’s degree in sociology, recently began serving a 5 and one half year prison term at the notorious Evin prison. Like many other young activists, he was convicted of “promoting propaganda against the government.” Below are excerpts from one of his many articles. This article was originally published on December 2009 by the website, Alborz inside Iran. Recently, it was reprinted by Zamin, an Iranian exile journal, in a special issue devoted to challenging racism and xenophobia. To sign a petition to demand Yashar Darolshafa’s release, please go to http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/free-yashar-darolshafa.html?utm_medium=RSS
Editor’s Note: Below are large excerpts from an article by a young Iranian woman who challenges the regime’s new policies concerning women and higher education.
Continue reading Iranian Regime Pushes Women Out of Higher Education
Translator’s note: On August 22, 2012, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan issued a “Memorandum of Agreement for Cooperation and Coordination.” This memorandum was written by working groups from both parties and was agreed upon by delegations headed by Abdullah Mohtadi, General Secretary of Komala and Mustafa Hijri, the General Secretary of PDKI. Translated excerpts follow.
Continue reading Two Kurdish Parties in Iran Issue Joint Statement of Goals and Principles
