Message of Maryam Rajavi to a meeting at the U.S. House of Representatives- for Human rights and Democracy in Iran- 9 March 2017
Honorable lawmakers and dear friends,
With the arrival of spring, Iranians are preparing to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which marks the first day of the Iranian calendar year.
Nowruz has been celebrated for decades and symbolizes change; change from the gray, gloomy days of winter to the promising green days of spring.
For Iranians, Nowruz has a simple but significant message:
The springtime of freedom is inevitable.
It may be delayed, but it cannot be stopped.
For the people of Iran, Nowruz brings a new hopeful prospect:
The certain end of religious dictatorship and rule of freedom and democracy.
Our suppressed people deserve to live in a free and democratic society, which is key to peace and stability in the region.
It is the only way of uprooting Islamic fundamentalism as a global threat.
Events in Iran over the past year are signs of critical developments in the coming year.
Conservative estimates show more than 3,000 executions during Hassan Rouhani’s term and yet widespread crackdown on the rise.
Yet, the Iranian people have risen up in different cities to protest the regime’s suppression.
They rallied against censorship, poverty and widespread government corruption.
They took to the streets in thousands of large and small demonstrations to protest that even their most basic demands are not met.
The most recent example is the uprising of last month by thousands of our brave countrymen and women in Ahvaz.
The death of Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani seriously weakened the regime.
For 38 years, Rafsanjani was the regime’s number-two man and was critical to its internal balance.
In addition, the windfall money from the lifting of sanctions did not relieve living conditions. Read more
The Iranian government is moving quickly to put down massive protests over power blackouts and water shortages in the oil-rich Khuzestan region and ongoing workers’ rights protests in Teheran.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran ( NCRI ) – a coalition of Iranian opposition groups in exile lead by the banned People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) – said the government dispatched anti-riot police from neighboring Fars Province to contain the Khuzestan protests.
The Media Express, March 3, 2017 - One of Iran’s most oil-rich cities is also one of the prime examples of Iran’s mismanagement. Residents of the region were protesting after dust storms, repeated power failures and general mismanagement by the regime. They have suffered the loss of services and increased unemployment, despite the regime’s hopes that the lifting of sanctions would draw foreign investment to the area to update refineries and power stations, as well as fix deep ecological problems.
The protests have subsided, however, as Iranian security forces have declared all demonstration illegal.
The protest of hundreds of workers of Iran National Steel Industries in Ahvaz, Khuzestan continued on February 28th for its eighteenth day in front of the governor’s office. They are protesting non-payment of their salary and benefits for five months as well as the uncertain future of their job and factory situation. The workers held banners reading: "We, the workers of National Group, have not been paid for the past few months " and "We, the workers of National Group, are standing until the end." During Rouhani’s visit to Khouzestan, they also gathered Ahvaz airport and protested him by chanting “Rouhani, where are your promises?”
Protest Rally of Thousands of Retirees and Tehran Transit Bus Drivers
February 28th, thousands of retirees demonstrated in front of the regime’s parliament to protest the dire situation of their livelihoods. Teachers, nurses and other retired employees, who, in addition to Tehran and Alborz provinces had come from Khuzestan, Khorasan, North Khorasan, Gilan, Mazandaran, Isfahan and Markazi provinces chanted: "Workers, teachers, alliance, alliance”, Rise up to eliminate discrimination", "We will not rest until we get our rights", "Dignity, livelihood is our inalienable right", "one embezzlement less, our problem is resolved", "When it comes to our turn, the coffers become empty". Demonstrators held banners reading: "workers, teachers, students, nurses, alliance, alliance", "poverty line four million (tomans) our salary 1 million", "Our reward is due, its delay is unjust", "We demand equalization with other professions", "the costs are based on dollar, our salaries are based on rial."
Large Gathering in Ahvaz Protesting Rouhani's Visit
Thursday protesting the presence of Iranian regime’s President Hassan Rouhani.
The protesters demanded a halt to all projects rerouting river waters in this province to other areas, dam construction, drying lagoons, measures to resolve continuous water and power outages resulting from dust storms, and immediate action to respond to the air contamination disaster.
Ahvaz Protests a Prelude to Events Which Will Rattle the Mullahs' Entire Foundation
Tensions continue to rise between the new U.S. administration and Iran with a series of actions and reactions. Most recently, Iran has launched a new round of military drills, embarking on more provocative actions, while U.S. allies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel have joined in by issuing what is described as twin warnings to Iran. Wrote Heshmat Alavi in AL-Arabiya on February 22.
effect of environmental problems on increased marginalization and immigration, head of Cultural Committee of Iranian regime’s parliament has stated that “the issue of environment has now turned into a social crisis.”
In his interview with state-run ILNA news agency on the effect of environmental problems on Iran’s social issues, Salman Khodadadi said that “the environment, water, and dust storms are among the major issues and our society’s future problems. We are now in a situation where the issue of environment has turned into a social crisis throughout the country, and sometimes even raises security concerns.”
DW, March 6, 2017 - Iranian politicians like to refer to their country as an 'island of stability' in the Middle East. But the country has severe environmental problems, and nobody feels responsible - with wide-reaching consequences.
The demonstrations of the heroic people of Ahvaz continued for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday, February 18th, despite the Iranian regime banning any and all gatherings. Protesters were heard chanting, “No to any humiliation” and “Don’t be afraid, we are all together.”
People attacking police car repressive force, the people Shadegan city protests in Khuzestan province
According to reports received on the evening of Saturday February18, despite all the police warnings, people of Ahvaz were back into the streets for the sixth consecutive day, protesting against air pollution and water and electricity’s nonstop cut – offs.
The people of Ahwaz shouted, "Death to tyranny", "death to repression", "we, the people of Ahwaz won't accept oppression!" Read more
The people of Ahwaz have taken to the streets today for the fifth consecutive day to protest the disastrous air pollution and frequent water and power cut-offs in the capital of Khuzistan Province.
The crises that emerge in Khuzestan province in the south of Iran is just the latest contribution of neglect from the clerical regime. After years of exploitation of the province’s natural resources, the province who once was one of the most fertile areas in Iran has turned into a dessert Following is the full report + video and photoes
Four women arrested in Tehran for supporting Khuzistan protests
Intelligence forces and plainclothes agents attacked hundreds of people rallying in Tehran’s Vanak Square in support of Khuzistan protesters on Thursday, February 16, and arrested four women. Read more
In a statement by the Iranian Resistance's President-elect, Maryam Rajavi hailed the people of Ahwaz and Khuzistan, particularly the women and youths, and urged them to unite their ranks to continue their protests and demonstrations in solidarity. Following is the text of the message
The photo of the protest says: Khuzistan is tired we don't keep silent any more
Members of the Iranian regime’s parliament and experts warn the recent electricity, water and communication blackout in southern oil reach province of Khuzestan which has revealed ‘negligence’ by authorities is becoming a national threat. Following is the full report
Women’s rights in Iran The last days have proven once again that Iranian women have to face incredible injustice in their everyday lives.
The Media Express,on February 17, 2017 had reported Here is the text of article
Political Unrest in the Oil-Rich Fields of Iran – Op-Ed
A good article by Iranian dissident Hassan Mahmoudi wrote on Saturday for the American Thinker. Click here to read the article
Iran & the Ahwaz environment crisis
Iran Commentary, MARCH 1, 2017 - There have been a variety of reports in the media about last month’s dust storms and environmental crisis in Ahwaz and Khuzestan Province, located in the country’s southwest border and bordering Iraq. Read more
Failure to aid province highlights Iran's misguided priorities
The Hill,28 Feb 2017 - For days now, large swathes of western Iran have been covered in dust — literally. Dust storms have overwhelmed the oil-rich province of Khuzestan. Air quality is reportedly some 30 to 60 times the healthy level. Power stations have broken down; banks, schools and offices were closed; water supplies were disrupted; and flights to and from Ahvaz were cancelled — including, ironically, one scheduled for the regime’s top “environment” official. Read more
