Iran: one year on | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/series/iran-one-year-on
Our contributors look at what has changed – and what hasn't – since last summer's disputed electionsen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:38:47 GMT2015-08-02T18:38:47Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
The myth of Iran's Twitter revolution | Abbas Barzegarhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/11/iran-twitter-revolution-myth
A year after the elections Iran is still an illiberal theocracy and the west must seek to engage with rather than thwart Islamic politics<p>It's been a full year since I had the privilege of <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/13/iranian-election" title="Cif: Irans election">witnessing and writing about Iran's fateful election</a>. However, I am still left wondering which story is more lasting – the actual political upheaval that tore through Iranian society or the worldwide <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/26/iran-media-revolution-dissidents" title="Cif: Iranian election media frenzy">media frenzy that misread most of it</a>. A year after trashing the line between analysis and advocacy, most &quot;experts&quot; and media personalities are backpedalling after getting the story so wrong. While the error of indulging in fantasies such as the &quot;<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/09/iran-twitter-revolution-protests" title="Guardian: Twitter revolution">Twitter revolution</a>&quot; and the collapsing Islamic Republic may be understandable, I wonder if the flawed logic that allowed for such fallacies is. This matters only because bad analysis leads to terrible policy. Let us review.</p><p>Unfortunately, the &quot;Green movement&quot; that promised to finally end the clash of civilisations and usher in the cosmic triumph of liberal democracy may never have been more than an accidental convergence of forces. Whether because of the brutal crackdown by state forces or a systemic lack of leadership and direction (probably both), the green-clad <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mir-Hossein_Mousavi_presidential_campaign,_2009" title="Wiki: Mousavi campaigners">Mousavi campaigners</a> that shocked the world after the election quickly fractured and returned to their previous social divisions leaving only a hard core of dissenters willing to confront the Islamic regime. The masses that filled the street last June have long since returned either to their Bazaar shops, traditional religious services, or villas in northern Tehran. Most visibly they have returned to the mundane grind and nihilism of living in the political pressure cooker that is contemporary Iran.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/11/iran-twitter-revolution-myth">Continue reading...</a>The Iranian revolutionIranWorld newsMiddle East and North AfricaFri, 11 Jun 2010 15:03:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/11/iran-twitter-revolution-mythAhmed Jadallah/ReutersAn opposition supporter at a rally for Mir Hussein Mousavi in Tehran before the general election last year. Such rallies were suppressed after the contested results emerged. Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/ReutersAhmed Jadallah/ReutersAn opposition supporter at a rally for Mir Hussein Mousavi in Tehran before the general election last year. Such rallies were suppressed after the contested results emerged. Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/ReutersAbbas Barzegar2010-06-11T15:03:45ZSanctions against Iran may boost the protest movement | Massoumeh Torfehhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/11/iran-sanctions-may-spur-protest
As Iran's regime veers to the right and becomes increasingly tyrannical, defiant protesters are ready to take advantage<p>On the eve of the anniversary of the contested presidential elections of 12 June, the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/09/un-sanctions-iran-nuclear-ahmadinejad" title="Guardian: UN imposes new sanctions on Iran">new UN sanctions on Iran</a> could add to further internal tension at leadership level. By targeting the finances and activities of its ruling clique, the sanctions may also give new impetus to the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/09/iran-election-demonstration-green-repression" title="Guardian: Iran election anniversary protests face severe crackdown">protest movement</a> that has been bravely confronting the regime.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/11/iran-sanctions-may-spur-protest">Continue reading...</a>IranThe Iranian revolutionAyatollah Ali KhameneiMahmoud AhmadinejadIslamMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsProtestFri, 11 Jun 2010 13:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/11/iran-sanctions-may-spur-protestAFP/Getty ImagesIranian opposition supporters demonstrate at Tehran University in Iran. Photograph: AFP/Getty ImagesSTR/APIn this photograph posted on the internet, a group of Iranian riot police are seen during clashes in Tehran, Iran Saturday June 20, 2009. (AP Photo) Photograph: STR/APMassoumeh Torfeh2010-06-11T13:00:00ZIran: how long can Islamic Republic limp on? | Meir Javedanfarhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/10/how-long-can-islamic-republic-limp-on
Public anger did not overthrow the regime but the Republic has been damaged, and infighting threatens its continued stability<p>The 10th Iranian presidential elections, which took place on 12 June 2009, changed the face of the Islamic Republic forever. The unprecedented <a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_disputed_election.html" title="Boston.com: Iran's Disputed Election">outpouring of public anger</a> damaged the legitimacy of Ayatollah Khamenei's regime like never before. At the same time, the ensuing infighting, which has taken place within his regime since the election, has seriously damaged the level of consensus between the different factions within the regime.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/10/how-long-can-islamic-republic-limp-on">Continue reading...</a>IranThe Iranian revolutionAyatollah Ali KhameneiIslamMahmoud AhmadinejadMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsProtestUnited NationsThu, 10 Jun 2010 13:31:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/10/how-long-can-islamic-republic-limp-onCaren Firouz/ReutersIran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may become ever-more reliant on relations with sympathetic Muslim countries. Photograph: Caren Firouz/ReutersCaren Firouz/ReutersIran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to journalists before voting in the Iranian presidential election in Tehran June 12, 2009. Photograph: Caren Firouz/ReutersMeir Javedanfar2010-06-10T13:31:00ZIran's tortured Green movement is down but not out. We can still help | Timothy Garton Ashhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/09/iran-tortured-green-elections-nuclear
One harrowing year since the stolen election, the people of Iran need the world's attention to go beyond the nuclear issue<p>Do not forget Iran. Remember <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/22/neda-soltani-death-iran" title="">Neda</a>. If there are green-clad protests in Tehran this weekend, to mark the first anniversary of the election that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole, they will doubtless again be crushed with casual brutality by the thugs of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/18/iran-tehran-protests-basij" title="">basij</a> militia, secret police and Revolutionary Guard. Imprisonment, torture, male rape and execution are the offerings these henchmen of the Islamic Republic bring to honour Allah, the compassionate, the merciful.</p><p>Faced with such violent repression, the Green movement is a long way down – but not out. Iran will never again be the country it was before the election of 12 June 2009. In the great demonstration three days later, one of the largest in recorded history, everything was changed, changed utterly. In the subsequent repression, a terrible beauty was born. The historical process may take years, but one day, as the economy worsens and discontent spreads to more sections of society, the movement will be back in force, though perhaps in a different form. Eventually, in Iran there will be statues of Neda Agha-Sultan, the young woman shot in one of the early mass demonstrations, and memorials to the martyrs of this struggle for freedom, as there are now memorials to the martyrs of the Iran-Iraq war.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/09/iran-tortured-green-elections-nuclear">Continue reading...</a>Nuclear weaponsIranMiddle East and North AfricaUnited NationsProtestWorld newsWed, 09 Jun 2010 17:59:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/09/iran-tortured-green-elections-nuclearTimothy Garton Ash2010-06-09T17:59:57ZThe brutal crackdowns only make Iran's women stronger | Shirin Ebadihttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/08/brutal-crackdown-iran-women-protest
The protest movement is now a year old – but the feminists at its helm can look back on decades of courageous activism<p>This weekend one year will have gone by since the Iranian people took to the streets in droves to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/03/iran-election-anniversary-pardons" title="">protest at the fraudulent elections</a> that returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the presidency. These peaceful demonstrations were met with extreme violence carried out by the Iranian regime. Since that day, the people have not backed down and continue to fight peacefully for basic human rights. Meanwhile, the government continues its crackdown on any opposition or dissent with ever increasing brutality.</p><p>Just a few weeks ago, on 9 May, the lengths to which the regime will go to crush its opponents came to light. <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/05/09/iran-five-political-prisoners-were-executed/" title="">Five political prisoners were executed</a> in secret. Not even their families or their lawyers were notified.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/08/brutal-crackdown-iran-women-protest">Continue reading...</a>IranWomenFeminismProtestWorld newsMiddle East and North AfricaTue, 08 Jun 2010 19:30:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/08/brutal-crackdown-iran-women-protestShirin Ebadi2010-06-08T19:30:54ZThe UN must try Iran's 1988 murderers | Geoffrey Robertsonhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/jun/07/iran-1988-prisoners-murder-international-court
The mass murderers of 1988 now hold power in Tehran. The world must make them face justice<p>This weekend marks the first anniversary of the death of democracy in Iran – <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8114195.stm" title="BBC: Iran election annulment ruled out ">the rigged election</a> which the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared lost by reform candidate <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/mir-hossein-mousavi" title="Guardian: Mir Hossein Mousavi">Mir Hossein Mousavi</a>. Afterwards protesters were shot dead in the street and taken for torture to Tehran's notorious <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/28/iran-prisoners-release-evin-prison" title="Guardian: Iran frees 140 political detainees from Tehran prison after wave of protests">Evin prison</a>; several have been hanged as <em>mohareb</em> – enemies of God. This intolerance of dissent should have come as no surprise: this is the same regime that got away with the murder of thousands of political prisoners – and has never been called to account.</p><p>It happened in the summer of 1988, after the war with Iraq ended in a bitter truce. Iran's prisons were full of students sentenced for protesting against Ayatollah Khomeini in the early 1980s – Marxists and leftists of all varieties and supporters of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organisation – a guerrilla movement with a different version of Islam. They had been sorted by prison officials into groups of those who remained &quot;steadfast&quot; in their political beliefs or who were apostates. The regime decided they should be eradicated so they would not trouble the postwar government, and Khomeini issued a secret fatwa authorising their execution.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/jun/07/iran-1988-prisoners-murder-international-court">Continue reading...</a>IranWorld newsAyatollah Ali KhameneiMir Hossein MousaviInternational criminal courtThe Iranian revolutionLawReligionMiddle East and North AfricaInternational criminal justiceMon, 07 Jun 2010 18:02:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/jun/07/iran-1988-prisoners-murder-international-courtGeoffrey Robertson2010-06-07T18:02:47Z