October 1999
Aftermath of the student movement in Iran
Since the suppression of the July 8-13 student protest by the Islamic
Republic regime, there has been a massive crack down on the student
organizations and political opponents. In the aftermath of the student
demonstrations, the government began an arbitrary arrest and abduction of
the youth on the streets, which was followed by raids on residences of the
opposition figures.
On September 12, the head of Tehran Revolutionary Court, in an interview
with a Tehran daily, announced that death sentences had been passed against
four people involved in the recent student protest. He also stated that
there were 1,000 more cases under investigation.
A day after the announcement, the head of the Revolutionary Court in the
city of Tabriz announced that 21 people had received sentences ranging from
three months to nine years. These announcements did not even disclose the
names and the charges of those convicted. The government figures for the
number of people arrested and tried are dubious considering the credibility
of the Islamic judiciary system. The actual figures are believed to be much
higher as reported by student groups and political opponents.
The manner in which these sentences were announced leads one to believe
that so called "conservatives" within the Islamic regime are uncertain
about the domestic and international reaction to a new wave of executions
in Iran. Since the schools and universities are going to be open soon, it
appears that the "conservatives" want to create an environment of fear, but
at the same time they are concerned about a backlash.
President Khatami's administration has not taken any steps to confront
these sentences. This behavior is not surprising since his faction was in
line with the
"conservatives" in suppressing the student protest. The special committee
formed by his administration, investigating the attacks on the Tehran
University dormitories and subsequent events, did not produce any
substantial result. In spite of all the evidence gathered by students on
the identity of the attackers, nobody from the state security forces or
their allied thugs was arrested.
The student protest indicates that the crisis of legitimacy of the regime
has deepened. Even the youth born and raised under the repressive Islamic
social order are clashing with the Islamic values. It has also reaffirmed
the limits of reform in the Islamic Republic of Iran. President Khatami and
other factions had a monophonic voice to preserve the fundamentals of the
Islamic state against a genuine and spontaneous social movement.
These events have created a new momentum amongst Iranians. The mood of
indifference has given way to a more positive and constructive attitude.
Iranians living abroad, in support of the student movement and other
democratic causes in Iran, are forming new committees. Committee in Defense
of Democratic Freedoms in Iran is one such committee. The urgent action and
support of progressive forces and individuals are crucial to save the lives
of those in prison.
-Bahram Tymorian
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