Iran Repression Just Changes Its Uniform: Under Khomaini, Political Prisoners Again Fill Jails, a ,
Ncui Farhad
ngeles Ton s (192i ( ‘ Un ens File,), Oct 16, 197)
ProQt es his orical Nc spapcrs Los An c ‘s l'imcs (1881-1987)
pg Ca
Iran Repression Just Changes Its Uniform
Under Khomaini, Political Prisoners Again Fill Jails, and Rights Are Crushed
BY FABRAD NOURI
T sat february 's overthrow of Mohammed
Reza Pahiavi, the Shah of Iran, was an
event that was welcomed by xmflsons of
Iranians, The toppling of his hated re me
released powerful expectations of democracy
and Justice, But today many of those who
helped rid the country of the dictator are
worried about the course of events under the
leadership of the Ayatollah Ruhollah o
During his 25 year reign, the shah de
stroyed the ability of ordinary Iranians to
organize politically by repressing all political
organizations, except his own rubber stamp
party Consequently, the anti shah movement
fell into the hands of the corut s only
organized eadership—the relignus hierarchy
in tie mosqu
omaini, the best loiown of the relupaus
leaders appealed to the people to demonstrate
in the streets by the millions, He appealed to
the shah's soldiers to break the disripline of
the army and to join the protesters. And he
refused to make any compromises,
As a result, Ifaiomaim e ipeyed immense
popularity More than 5 million people came
into the streets to greet him on his return
from esile, But, once in office, lthomami be-
gan attempting to stabilize Iran by preserving
the capitalist structure a move to the right
that conflicted with the workers' concept of
revolutionary change
Most Iranians hoped that the shah's depar
ture would open up the possibility of winning
ponticat rights, maiung economic ann sociai
gains and overcoming the tremendous paver
ty and backwardness inherited from the Pah
lavi re me. Among fran's most pressing needs
were and stifi are
—Industrialization, free from domination by
foreign copporations,
—land refcrm for the peasants, who com-
prise two-thirds of the total population,
Democratic rights for the national groups
within Iran who comprise 60% of the popula-
ban.
Jobs for the millions of unemployed.
—Higher wages to meet soaring inflation.
—Equality for women.
Ithomaini has so far refused to take mea-
sures that could meet these goals. Indeed, be
has resorted increasingly to repressive mea
sures, trying to prevent the emergence of
genuine democracy,
Ithomaini's men have begun to take over
the workers councils that were formed during
the insurrection against the shah, Neighbor-
hood committees and peasant councils have
been take.. over by government appointees.
Soldiers who played a heroic role in resist
aug the shah's orders have been denied politi-
cal rights Censorship has again been imposed
on radio, television and the press, and more
than 40 newspapers and magamnes have been
banned outright, Opposition political parties
have been forced underground.
Nevertheless, in countless ways the Iranian
people are still reasserting their hopes for a
democratic and just society, Within the milita-
ry, sentiment against the war in Kurdistan
continues to grow, with more and more aol
diers unwilling to fight against their fellow
citizens,
Once again the government's repressive
measures have filled the jails with political
Oito of t-k uwu tu4t
of the 14 members of the Socialut Workers
Party who were arrested four months ago for
their activism,
On Aug. 26, in secret trials, 12 of them were
sentenced to be executed. The remaining two
are women and they were sentenced to life
imprisonment Howe er, because of an in,er
national outcry, the execution orders have not
been earned out.
Their “offense” was advocating a democrat
ically elected constituent assembly to discuss
the problems of the country, urging support of
the rights of the Arabe, Kurds and other
national groups in Iran, proclaiming the right
of workers to organize, and seeking other
democratic rights
Several of the prisoners lived in Iran
throughout the shabs reign, which they op-
posed at great personal sacrifice. Others
forced into mile, attended school in the United
States. Many were active in the Committee for
Artistic and Intellectual Freedom in Iran,
Their plight and the response of prominent
people from throughout the world have been
featured in newspapers in Iran, despite the
rigid censorship
The case has become a rallying point for all
those in Iran who are looking for a way to
challenge the represrive measures taken by
the government.
More protests are needed to save these 14
dissenters Perhaps then the way will be
opened for the release of others jailed for their
political views, for newspapers to be pub-
lished, for political parties to function again,
and for the straggle for democracy and free
dam to go forward, The voices of defenders of
democratic and human rights must be heard in
Quin and Tehran, and by li-an's representa
fives elsewhere.
Parked N e ar . is a staff wither for Karpar, the
SocialIst Workers Party newrpaper in Iran. He
is now on a lecture tour North Amerioo for
the Committee to Sove the Iranian 14, based in
New York
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