The political party said in a statement that violation of law and order has escalated in recent weeks in relation with political activists and urged the government to put into force a mechanism to support principles of the fledgling democracy in Iran.

"The illegal action against political activists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the academic centers took place after a series of illegal ban on the press and the Internet websites.

The IIPF also deplored continued detention of journalists and press activists.

"The government is expected to do what it can to secure active participation of the nation in their own fate and guarantee the democratic achievements of the Iranian nation would not be trampled upon," the statement said.

With approach of the presidential election slated for May 2005, the political activists have embarked on holding meetings to defend the achievements of the reform movement over the past eight years since 1997.

The reform camp which wields majority of the public votes was sidelined in the parliamentary election by the Guardian Council that proved to advocate conservative prescription for administration of the state.

The reform camp believes that the low turnout in the parliamentary election (29 percent of Tehran electorate) proved the failure of the Guardian Council's methodology.

However, observers believe that the public apathy in the course of the election last February in reaction to the Guardian Council will force the body to confirm qualification of a reform minded candidates to prove legitimacy of election in Iran.