Karnibi Responds to Larijani Requesting a Meeting with the Heads of
Establishment
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
In the name of God, the merciful and the compassionate,
To the honorable Parliament,
The honorable Mr. Larijani,
Greetings. As you are well aware, an enduring chronicle was born with our nation's great
and glorious participation in the tenth presidential elections. If the authorities had taken
proper care, people's participation could have been an inexhaustible asset for the Islamic
Republic of Iran. It could have also endowed the establishment with global political
legitimacy. Sadly, a deep nationwide divide has been triggered with the incompetence
that respective authorities have displayed towards the ensuing demonstrations: a violent
reaction to the peaceful rallies of millions that caused great harm to a large number of
demonstrators, the murder of some, and the imprisonment of others. Furthermore, the
“velvet revolution” label attached to this calm protest movement is increasingly
remorseful.
Since the days following the 22nd of Khordad and until this very moment, I have issued
numerous statements and letters addressing the nation as well as a number of officials,
including the judiciary chief and the minister of intelligence. I have attempted to settle
the feud and create national cohesion by encouraging transparency with regards to the
election results and defending the rights of the people. Sadly, I had not received a
satisfactory response. Meanwhile, security officials, the national police and the
paramilitary relentlessly antagonized the opposition with continued crudity.
I continued my objections in this format until recently, when I received reports
documenting evidence that in addition to physical torment, the prisoners have been
subjected to sexual harassment. I communicated this information in a letter addressed to
the Chairman of the Expediency Council and requested that he rigorously investigate this
issue considering his extensive influence within the establishment. I pointed out that if
such an unforgivable act had indeed occurred, the supervisors and perpetrators of the
crime must be identified and punished by law. Moreover, if it had not, it would be
announced to the public that there is no such concern and that none of our officials are to
blame.. Unfortunately, those who desire a turbulent national atmosphere not only refused
to yield to a fair and impartial investigation of this issue, but also used it to attack me and
to distort the public view. This reaction clearly revealed that there is information they
seek to conceal with an uproar.
As a result, I have been slandered and ridiculed from the holy tribunes of the Friday
Prayers in such a way that is improper even for an ordinary Muslim, let alone a Friday
preacher. In particular, at the Friday Prayers in Tehran, the speaker went beyond the
limits of Shari'a law. The national media also caused public distress by misrepresenting
me and the people.
Therefore, bearing in mind that according to our departed Imam “the parliament is at the
forefront of affairs” and is in fact the house of the nation, and also considering the fact
that you are aware of the many issues, I ask you to convene a meeting with the Heads of
Legislature, Judiciary and Executive branches, and the honorable Head of the Expediency
Council and Assembly of Experts in the presence of the honorable Attorney General
Hojjatolislam Mr. Dorri (since the previous honorable Head of Judiciary assigned him as
my point of contact). If you deem it appropriate, a representative from the Fact-Finding
Committee of Parliament can accompany the proceedings as well. I am prepared to
personally present my material regarding the sexual harassment experienced in several
detention centers. As the respected officials listen to my documented account, it will
become clear whether it is I who have been disrespecting the Islamic Republic, or those
who call on judicial authorities and security forces to crackdown on protesters from the
holy tribune of Friday Prayers. These are the same holy platform to which the revered
Imam appointed the pious clergy Ayatollah Taleghani — a man who began his battle
against injustice in Reza Pahlavi's term and continued relentlessly for 37 years in
Mohammad Reza's term. I await your expedited and candid action.
“Salute to you and those who followed the guidance (of God)”
Mehdi Karrubi
August 19, 2009 (Mordad 28, 1388)
