A Call to Protect Civil Rights for All Iranians
The crisis over Iran's nuclear program has overshadowed the brutal repression of Iranians by the "Guardian Council" of unelected clerics, headed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Most Iranians (70%) are under the age of 30 and face an array of laws
that restrict basic rights of self-expression. In Iran:
-You can be sentenced to death because of your religious beliefs.
-Criticizing the Supreme Leader on your blog is a crime.
-Women are barred from attending most sporting events.
-Concerts with live singing and mixed seating are banned.
-Women are stoned to death for adultery.
-Gay teenagers are hanged.
-The Supreme Leader has issued a fatwa against women riding bicycles in
public.
We who live in freedom recognize that Iranians are denied rights we take for granted. We also recognize that many Iranians, despite overwhelming restrictions, are trying to open up their society through non-violent activism. In particular, hundreds of students are leading a movement for civil rights and freedom.
We stand in solidarity with the Iranian student movement, and we will not remain silent as they face a brutal crackdown from the ruling clerics. We stand in solidarity with the thousands of imprisoned journalists, bloggers, and labor organizers - including prominent dissident Akbar Ganji.
We call upon world leaders to condemn civil rights repression in Iran and to hold the Iranian regime accountable. The fundamental rights of all Iranians cannot be held hostage to diplomatic maneuverings over Iran's nuclear program.
We pledge our support to Iranians struggling to secure basic freedoms, and we will not rest until their civil rights movement succeeds.
