December 8, 2007

Release our comrades

A statement from the Freedom and Equality Seeking Students’ group

Press Release No: 1, Freedom and Equality Seeking Student

As you are aware, thirty of our comrades are currently being held in ward 209 of Avin prison in Tehran, subjected to torture and the worst physical and mental conditions. The magnificent Students Day rallies in Tehran, Mazendaran, Kermanshah, Tabriz and Hamadan were manifestation of our determination to raise the banner of freedom and equality in our society. The oppressive Islamic regime tried, in vain, to prevent the student day rallies. It has suffered a humiliating defeat. We congratulate all our fellow students.

Comrades! Our call for the release of all detained students, in universities up and down the country, must break the current deadly silence. This calls for united actions of all of us for the immediate release of our detained comrades. Spread the news of the arrest of the students and let the entire population know that their students are being imprisoned for calling for freedom and equality. The shameful silence of all the so-called “impartial” and “pro-democracy” media outlets has made our task of informing the public ever so crucial. This shameful silence is tantamount to collaboration with oppressors. Such attempts to spread lies and deception have long being at the service of profiteers and capitalists.

Comrades! The families of the arrested students have pinned their hopes on us. We have shown that we never give up on our demands. Knowing the brutality of the authorities in the jails we fear for the well being of our comrades. Our struggle will continue until the release of all political students.

Workers of Iran!

The freedom and equality seeking students all over Iran have been your class allies and have stood by you through all your just demands and struggles. Our prominent slogan- “Students Movement Ally of Workers Movement”- is a clear indication of our belief that the students have realised that our attempts to create a free and equal society are through collaboration with the workers. Your support at this juncture is a big step towards forging unity,

People of the world!

Students in Iran, by raising the slogan of “No to War” and “No to Despotism”, are confronting Imperialists war mongering and fundamentalism. International solidarity is a valuable means to break down the ranks of reaction and war mongering and blow away the spectre of war and insecurity over the lives of people of Iran.

Freedom and Equality Seeking Students

December 7, 2007

1- Mehdi Gerailoo – University of Tehran
2- Nader Ahsani – Ex-student of the University of Mazandaran
3- Anoosheh Azadbar – University of Tehran
4- Elnaz Jamshidi – University of Azad Tehran-south
5- Behrooz Karimizadeh – Expelled student of the University of Tehran
6- Saeed Habibi – Ex-student of the Sharif University of Technology
7- Ali Salem – University of Polytechnic
8- Yoones Mirhosseini – Bahonar University, Shiraz
9- Milad Omrani – University of Rajayi
10- Abed Tavancheh – Expelled student of the University of Polytechnic
11- Sadra Pirhayati – Shahed University
12- Roozbeh Safshekan – University of Tehran
13- Saeed Aghamali – Art University of Yazd
14- Roozbehan Amiri – University of Tehran
15- Nasim Soltanbeigi – University of Allameh
16- Mahsa Mohebbi – Sharif University of Technology
17- Keyvan Amiri – Sharif University of Technology
18- Hadi Salari – University of Rajayi
19- Amir Aghayi – University of Rajayi
20- Farshid Farhadi Ahangaran – University of Rajayi
21- Saeed Aghakhani
22- Okhtay Hosseini – University of Azad
23- Soroosh Hashempoor – University of Chamran , Ahvaz
24- Mohsen Ghamin – University of Polytechnic
25- Hamed Mohammadi – University of Mazandaran arrested a week ago
26- Arash Pakzad – University of Mazandaran
27- Milad Moeeni – University of Mazandaran
28- Hassan Maarefi – University of Mazandaran
29- Behrang Zandi – University of Mazandaran

December 5, 2007

Photos of the Students’ Day rally at Tehran University

The University is not a barracks!

The University is not a barracks!

Some of the students' placards.

Some of the students’ placards.

Female students marching.

Female students marching.

Source: http://www.photoblog.com/zohrepix

December 5, 2007

Students threatened with arrest if they go near Tehran University!

On the afternoon of Monday 3 December the Iranian regime’s Information Ministry contacted a number of left-wing students and told them that they should report to the Ministry the next day. If they did not present themselves at the Ministry at 10am, or went anywhere near Tehran University, they would be arrested. The students contacted in this way include Ruzbeh Kalantari, Morteza Eslahchi, Habib Khosravi and Parisa Nasrabadi.

A number of students had to comply grudgingly with this ‘request’ of the Information Ministry and not take part in the successful Students’ Day rally at Tehran University on 4 December.

So far as we know Ruzbeh Kalantari and Parisa Nasrabadi have not yet been arrested.

Support the arrested students and left-wing activists by sending a protest email based on the model letter.

Report by Militaant, journal of revolutionary socialist youth in Iran.

December 4, 2007

Five hundred students and left-wing activists commemorate Students’ Day at Tehran University

Despite the heavy presence of the Iranian regime’s security forces at Tehran University today’s Students’ Day commemoration went ahead as planned. Around 500 students and left-wing activists took part in the event – with just 26 being arrested.

The Iranian regime had taken several desperate measures, including attacking the home of a left-wing student activist two days before the protest(!), in the vain attempt to dampen the students’ and left-wing activists’ morale and to prevent the 16 Azar Students’ Day commemoration from taking place. Yet the changing balance of forces in society – where the progressive, left-wing and anti-regime masses are becoming bolder and the regime’s own base is becoming more demoralised – have meant that another memorable day has been recorded in the long history of Iranian students’ struggle against dictatorship and for social justice.

The regime had thought that by arresting over eight of the organisers before the commemoration rally they would frighten, confuse and cower its remaining ranks. The arrests, however, led to an escalation of this confrontation. Left-wing students and activists from several universities issued a warning to the regime that “all universities from Tehran University to the universities in Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad and so on, will be turned into a stage for united protests” if their comrades were not released immediately. They said that they would gather all their forces at the main gate of Tehran University.

The protest started at the appointed time today, 4 December 2007, and the security forces were taken by surprise at how hundreds of students had turned up despite all their threats and harassment. Despite the strict security controls and the climate of intimidation an ‘open tribune’, where any speaker can address the crowd, was created. At least two members of the Radical Left students spoke and their manifesto was read out. However, most of the comrades of the Workers’ Left tendency were arrested before they could read out their manifesto.

Fearful of students’ contact with the general public, the security forces used buses from the Vahed Company to create a barrier between the University and surrounding area, almost obscuring the main gate of the University. Although some clashes with the security forces continued during the meeting an eyewitness said: “The University was red today!”. Even after today’s arrests the activists were determined to continue the agreed programme until the end.
Today’s demonstration clearly shows that the radical and revolutionary traditions of the Iranian students’ movement going back to December 1953 are alive and in good health. The crowd chanted many slogans denouncing the recent arrests and the climate of intimidation and the programme came to an end with a rendition of the Internationale.

In all at least 26 activists have been arrested. They include: Anousheh Azadfar, Mehdi Gerayloo, Alnaz Jamshidi, Ehsan Azadfar, Nader Ahsani, Saeed Habibi, Behrooz Karimizadeh, Keyvan Amiri Elyas, Hossein Babaii, Karim Asayesh, Roozbeh Faghihi, Babak Pashajavid, Mohsen Ghamin, Babak Pasha Javid and Mahsa Mohebi.

Support the arrested students and left-wing activists by sending a protest email based on the model letter.

Report by Militaant, journal of revolutionary socialist youth in Iran.

December 3, 2007

Le forze di sicureza iraniane hanno arrestato membri del movimento studentesco di sinistra dell’Università di Teheran

I servizi di sicurezza iraniane hanno fatto un blitz a casa di un attivista di sinistra del movimento studentesco iraniano arrestando studenti che stavano cercando di organizzare

una protesta studentesca contra la guerra e l’opressione del regime iraniano il 4 dicembre all’Università di Teheran.Gli arrestati includono: Anusceh Asadfar, Mehdi Gherailu, Alnar Giamscidi, Ehsan Asadfar e Nader Ahsani.

I servizi di sicurezza iraniani si preparano per arrestare anche altri attivisti studenteschi appena essi escono dall’Università di Teheran. Behruz Carimzadeh, Peiman Piran, Bizhan Sabagh e Behzad Bagheri sono tra gli studenti dentro il campo universitario che rischiano di essere arrestati, la probabilità della loro arrestazione aumenta ogni minuto con l’arrivo della notte.

Anche Said Habibi ,un attivista di sinistra, è stato imprigionato oggi stesso nel carcere No.209 del ben noto carcere di Evin.Per ben piu’ di otto ore nessuno degli amici e famigliari hanno avuto nessuna notizia di lui, anvendo il cellulare spento e non contattando nessuno a casa o al lavoro .Il suo cellulare e ora posseduto dagli interrogatori dei servizi di sicurezza iraniani.Altri due attivisti della sinistra non-studenti sono stati chiamati davanti al Ministero di Sicurazza iraniano.

Al seguito del dibattito tra attivisti studenteschi e non-studenti a Teheran e nelle province iraniane questa deciosione collettiva è stata presa:

Se i nostri compagni non vengono liberati fino a Domani [3 Dicembre] tutte le Univesità Iraniane dall’Università di Teheran a quello di Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhah e … vengono trasformate in scene di protesta.

Il programma per il 4 Dicembre per commemorare il Girono del Movimento Studentesco
sarà messo in atto all’ingresso principale della Università di Teheran con tutte le forze alla nostra disposizione.

Appoggiate questi studenti e attivisti della sinistra iraniana mandando e-mail di protesta e firmando la petizione: http://militantmag.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/23/

December 3, 2007

Two more activists arrested in Tehran

In a desperate attempt to stifle the Students’ Day commemorations planned for 4 December, the security forces of the Iranian regime have arrested at least two more activists. In addition to the six activists arrested on Sunday 2 December, Behrooz Karimizadeh and Keyvan Amiri Elyasi have now also been detained. According to latest reports the names of those arrested include: Anousheh Azadfar, Mehdi Gerayloo, Alnaz Jamshidi, Ehsan Azadfar, Nader Ahsani, Behrooz Karimizadeh and Keyvan Amiri Elyas.

Left-wing students and activists from several universities have warned the regime that “all universities from Tehran University to the universities in Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad and so on, will be turned into a stage for united protests” if their comrades are not released immediately.

Support these students and left-wing activists by sending a protest email based on the model letter.

As reported by Militaant, journal of revolutionary socialist youth in Iran.

December 2, 2007

Security forces arrest Tehran University Radical Left students

The security forces of the Iranian regime attacked the home of a left-wing student activist involved in organising the students’ protest inside Tehran University on 4 December. Those arrested include Anousheh Azadfar, Mehdi Gerayloo, Alnaz Jamshidi, Ehsan Azadfar and Nader Ahsani.

The security forces have also been lying in wait near Tehran University in order to ambush some other students. Behrooz Karimizadeh, Peyman Piran, Bijan Sabagh, Behzad Bagheri are among the students inside the campus that are being targetted. The likelihood of their arrest is constantly rising with nightfall.

Saeed Habibi, a left-wing activist, has now also been imprisoned. He is in wing No. 209 of the notorious Evin prison. For over eight hours none of his friends or family had any news about him, as he has not contacted anyone at home or work, and his mobile phone had been switched off. The mobile phone is now in the possession of the interrogators of the Information Ministry. Two other left-wing activists, who are not students, have been summoned to appear at the Information Ministry.

Following discussions among left activist students and non-students in Tehran and provinces the following collective decision has been taken:

If our comrades are not freed by tomorrow [3 December], all universities from Tehran University to the universities in Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad and so on, will be turned into a stage for united protests.

The programme for 4 December (commemorating Students’ Day) will be put into action at the main gate of Tehran University, involving all [our] forces.

Support these students and left-wing activists by sending a protest email based on the model letter.


Source: ‘Against the status quo‘ blog.

Translated by Militaant, journal of revolutionary socialist youth in Iran.

December 2, 2007

Model letter: free the 26 students and left-wing activists

Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

[Enter date] December 2007

Dear Mr President

I write to bring to your attention the urgent case of at least 26 students and left-wing activist abducted by the agents of the Information Ministry and other security forces in Tehran. Anousheh Azadfar, Mehdi Gerayloo, Alnaz Jamshidi, Ehsan Azadfar, Nader Ahsani, Saeed Habibi, Behrooz Karimizadeh, Keyvan Amiri Elyas, Hossein Babaii, Karim Asayesh, Roozbeh Faghihi, Babak Pashajavid, Mohsen Ghamin, Babak Pasha Javid and Mahsa Mohebi are currently being held in custody and interrogated for merely trying to organise, or taking part in, an independent Students’ Day commemoration event.

I hope that you can bring the authority of your office to put pressure on the relevant officials and bodies at Evin prison so that these activists, and all other students, are set free.

I look forward to hearing about your positive intervention in this regard in the international media.

Yours sincerely

[Enter your name here]

 


Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Fax: 98-21-648.06.65
Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.irPlease send a copy of your protest letters to:

UNHCHR
Petitions Team
Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
UNOG-OHCHR
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 9022
Email: tb-petitions@ohchr.org

Amnesty International
The Human Rights Action Centre
17-25 New Inn Yard
London
EC2A 3EA
United Kingdom
Fax: +44 20 7833 1510
Email: info@amnesty.org.uk

Human Rights Watch
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor
New York, NY 10118-3299 USA
Fax: 1-(212) 736-1300
Email: hrwnyc@hrw.org

Militant
Email: militantmag@gmail.com

December 2, 2007

Model letter for supporting the students of Allameh Tabatabai College

Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue,
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

(enter date) November 2007

Dear Mr President

I am writing to you in order to protest against the treatment of students at Allameh Tabatabai Communication Sciences and Sociology College in Tehran. Students from this College were subjected to attacks by the College security guards, uniformed and plain-clothes security offers, as well as basiji elements. The violence, many arrests, and the detention of Arman Sedaghati and Maziar Samiee, were your government’s response to the students’ peaceful protest for the following basic democratic demands: – To protest against the severe sentences passed against three Amir Kabir University student activists; – the barring of a number of students from that university and other universities in Tehran from their studies; – the sacking of independent lecturers; – the permanent or temporary banning of students’ independent journals and creating a police atmosphere at universities. I therefore believe that Arman Sedaghati and Maziar Samiee should be released immediately and without any conditions. The Iranian government should also meet all the above demands. I look forward to hearing about your positive intervention in this regard in the international media.

Yours sincerely

(enter your name, organisation, position & country)

—————————–

Please send your protest letters to:

Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue,
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Fax: 98-21-648.06.65
Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir

Please send a copy of your protest letters to: Militaant, journal of revolutionary socialist youth in Iran. Email: militantmag@gmail.com

December 2, 2007

Report on the students’ gathering at the Allameh Tabatabai Communication Sciences and Sociology College

To protest against the severe sentences passed against three Amir Kabir University student activists; the barring of a number of students from that university and other universities in Tehran from their studies; the sacking of independent lecturers; the permanent or temporary banning of students’ independent journals and creating a police atmosphere at universities; today, Tuesday 30 October, a gathering took place at the Allameh Tabatabai Communication Sciences and Sociology College in Tehran.

Even before the gathering had begun the police atmosphere reigned inside and outside the University. Initially a group of uniformed security and plain-clothes officers had parked their vehicles a short distance from the College. With such a show of force in front of the college, and the park opposite it, they intended to intimidate the students and prevent their gathering from spreading to outside the College.

In co-ordination with the security forces and the basij [pro-regime mobilization force] the College’s security guards attempted to create such a [police] atmosphere. Entry into the University was strictly controlled and students from other Tehran universities were prevented from entering.

A bit later than the arranged time, although some of the students had still not been able to enter the College, the gathering began with the students [already] present. There were scuffles with the College’s security guards. The students immediately reacted by chanting slogans. Slogans like “Pinochet, Pinochet, Iran will not become like Chile”, “Free arrested students”, “Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the agent of discrimination and corruption” were booming in the University street.

At this time the security forces’ presence outside the University changed from its low profile ‘appearance’ before the gathering turned into the official presence of security and basij forces. The traffic in the street became heavy and, in order to prevent people from knowing what was happening in the University, the [security] officers tried to get traffic flowing. At this time, when the crowd had not reached the University gate, they tried to clear the park facing the College and the pavement from those they did not consider as ‘one of us’.

In a situation when the students were busy gathering and establishing a free tribune, the security forces began arresting students who reached the ceremony late. And shouts of “leave me alone, why are you grabbing me” by one of the students, although it attracted the attention of the passers-by, did not prevent his arrest.

After the news of arrests outside the University spread, those present at the free tribune of the University, began moving towards the gate on University Street and began chanting slogans for the release of the arrested students and against the repressive forces.

The students directed slogans like “No nation has seen a more disgraceful police force”, “Basiji get lost”, “Free the arrested students”, and “We don’t want a government of force, we don’t want a mercenary police”, at the police present in front of the University. Despite the growing number of security forces’ personnel since the start of the gathering, the police who could not control the whole street together with the presence of the students in front of the University gate. So they turned their attention from the street and pavement and car park towards the University gate. The students’ speeches on the necessity of unity were cheered and supported by those present.

The presence of basiji forces and their aggression towards the ranks of students drew the response, “basiji get lost”. This enraged the basiji and brought about their further attacks.

Then the students again entered the University campus. With slogans calling for unity, they called on the lecturers to support them and their demands. Because of the situation at the University, and the efforts of the students, lectures at the University were also cancelled. At this time the security forces, more calmly [than before] because the students were moving away from the University street gate, dispersed all those present in front of the University and the pavement leading to it.

The gathering inside the University ended with protests and demands for the immunity for students from leaving the University campus. With the appropriate co-ordination for exiting the University under such conditions, despite the security situation of University Street, the students reduced the likelihood of arrests to the lowest level possible by leaving in groups of several people.

A day later all students, with the exception of Arman Sedaghati and Maziar Samiee, were released.

Report by the Militaant’s correspondents.

Translated by Militaant, journal of revolutionary socialist youth in Iran.