Source: Radio Zamaneh

Iranian opposition leaders, Mir Hosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi condemned the latest attacks by Ahmadinejad supporters on the Islamic Parliament. The leaders urged everyone to stand up against those who are trying to "escape the law" in order to reach their "illegitimate goals."

Mehdi Karroubi met with Mir Hossein Mousavi on June 23rd at Mousavi's office

The latest episode which reveals further cracks in the body of the Islamic Republic establishment revolves around an attempt by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to control Iran's largest university, Azad University.

Yesterday Ahmadinejad supporters protested outside the Parliament after Ahmadinejad bill, which proposed to replace a number of Azad University board members, was voted down by the MPs. The protesters even threatened to "blast" the Parliament if the MPs did not back down from their resistance against Ahmadinejad's bill.

Pro-Ahmadinejad protests in front of the Iranian Parliament on Tuesday

Azad University is a private institution with 1.5 million students. It is widely regarded as a centre of support for Iranian reformists.

Mousavi and Karroubi claimed that it is surprising how the government refuses to issue a permit for the "Protest of Silence" which the opposition had planned for the anniversary of the controversial presidential elections of 2009 on June 12; however, "an organized group" such as the one which was threatening MPs on Tuesday is allowed to "stage an attack" anywhere they want.

Protestors called MPs who voted for Azad University traitors

The opposition's request for a permit to hold a peaceful protest on June 12 was denied by Islamic Republic authorities, and although the opposition maintains that they have the right to stage peaceful demonstrations according to the Islamic Constitution, the government warned that on June 12 all gatherings would be confronted by security forces.

The two leaders cancelled the "Protest of Silence" two days before the date claiming that they had been informed that government extremists were planning to treat protesters with violence and that the opposition had no intention of causing bloodshed.

Details of Mousavi-Karroubi meeting
Source: Saham News; translation: Mir Hossein Mousavi's facebook

In today's joint meeting Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi emphasized on the followings issues:

Emphasize on the respect for Marajeh (Grand Ayatollahs) and their high stature in Shi'a: In this meeting, Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi pointed out the history of Shi'a [religion] since Imam Mahdi's (Shi'a hidden Imam) absence and the establishment of the religious scholars; and considered Marajeh as one of the most important foundations of the society which Shi'as have respected for centuries and have never allowed and will not allow any person or group to insult the stature of Marajeh. They emphasized that no government or authority can remove the love of these guardians of the religion from the hearts of the believers by relying on a group of thugs; and therefore they condemned the premeditated unprecedented insult and offence of a group sponsored by the government and their illegal entering to the house of Grand Ayatollah Saanei and destroying the properties in his office as well as the house of late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. They also considered repeated insults made by a group of newspapers affiliated with the authorities against the great Marajeh of Shi'a and their attempts to destroy and weaken the stature of Marajeh as the bases for these events and while expressing sorrow that after the attack on the houses of Marajeh and insult against the grandson of Imam Khomeini (founder of the Islamic Republic), the judiciary instead of prosecuting the attackers, shut down the office of late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri and considered it the proof of harmony between these foot soldiers (thugs) and some of the authorities for attacking the stature of Marajeh.

Weakening the stature of the parliament is cause for concern and sorrow: Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi expressed their sorrow and concern because of the weakening of the legislative branch which started by making an excuse out of the bequeathing of Azad University to charity. They also emphasized that according to the constitution that the legislative branch acts via the parliament and this parliament approves laws for all public affairs as asserted by the constitution but some don't even respect the stature of this parliament that in it the criteria of who can elect and who can be elected have not been followed (because of the role of the Guardian Council, whose members are openly supporters of this government and appointed by thye supreme leader, and decides and pre-approves who can go on the ballot and oversees the elections). In this meeting, Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi pointed out the government's denying the people's legal and legitimate request to hold a silent demonstration while an organized group, in complete security, attack whoever and wherever they want and iterated that it is necessary that everyone stands in front of these kinds of actions that diminish the stature of the legislative branch and the ability of the members of the parliament, and don't allow those fleeing from the law achieve their illegitimate goals with these kinds of methods. They also emphasized that if using goons and aggressors becomes the inauspicious norm, there will be no dignity for anyone, person or entity, and there will be no differentiate. Today, not only the people and those objecting to the fraud in the election are under attack by these shameful behaviours, but also the family of Imam Khomeini, the respected Marajeh of Shi'a and even the parliament are not immune.

The inconsiderate remarks by the administration and its costs on our national interest: The inconsiderate remarks and comments by the administration was another topic that was discussed in this meeting. Both parties not only considered these remarks in conflict with rich and ancient culture of Islamic Iran but also recognized them as causes for moral and material damages to the country in international arena and endangering national interests. Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi karroubi while emphasizing on the problems expressed hope that in today's special situation the authorities instead of creating tensions act to resolve country's important economical, social and international problems by utilizing the capable potentials in different fields.

Condemning recent arrests: In this meeting the current security trend and recent arrests specially the arrests of a number of outstanding and elite students of the country were discussed and both parties pointed to the chaotic situation of the detention centers and prisons which have imposed hard conditions on country's political prisoners, and called this trend in contradiction to country's rules and regulations. Mousavi and Karroubi also called on judicial authorities to take action in accordance to the inherent duties of that branch that is to be a defender of the individual and social rights and be responsible for establishing justice and also step toward restoring public rights and promoting justice and legitimate freedoms and act accordingly; and by hearing the words of the political prisoners lay grounds for their unconditional release.

Efforts for promoting awareness about the fundamental rights and freedoms especially among various unions and groups: At the end of this joint meeting both parties once again emphasized on the rightful demands of the Green Movement and the role of promoting awareness and knowledge in the society about the assured rights and fundamental and main freedoms of all the classes of the society and called on all groups especially unions to make efforts to raise awareness among the various layers of the society about their rightful and legitimate demands.

More photos of pro-Ahmadinejad protests in front of the Iranian Parliament on Tuesday
Photos by ISNA

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