Iran arrests female political activist requesting Khamenei's resignation
"Four decades of this theocracy has eliminated the rights of half of the country's citizens."
By ZACHARY KEYSERHezbollah supporters carry portraits of the founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (left), and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as they march in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Hatta on March 18(photo credit: AFP PHOTO)
In a move to prevent the further spread of political dissidence within the Islamic Republic of Iran, another activists calling for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to resign has been arrested by Iranian authorities, according to Radio Farda.The unnamed woman was one of the signatories who took part in an open letter that 14 Iranian women's rights activists penned to Khamenei, requesting that he resign from his position after his 20-year tenure.They wrote that the country needs to undergo political change."The sister of one of those detained told Radio Farda on Monday that Narges Mansoori, another signatory has also been arrested in Tehran," Radio Farda stated in their report. "The source also said she has heard about other arrests in Tehran, but she does not more information yet."According to Radio Farda, the letter, dated August 5, refers to "gender apartheid" and a "patriarchal approach" that for 40 years has stifled the Iranian political climate. They said that since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the situation in Iran has created an unfair disadvantage for women who want to live and thrive in the country."We, 14 civil rights and women's rights activists, are determined to continue our combat until victory through civil and non-violent measures," they wrote. "Like other pioneers [of non-violent freedom fighters], we go ahead by chanting 'no to the Islamic Republic.'"Four decades of this theocracy has eliminated the rights of half of the country's citizens," they continued.The activists are requesting that others join them in peaceful and non-violent protests to construct a new constitution to eradicate "this anti-women system."All of the signatories reside within the Islamic Republic, opening them up to potential political persecution or arrest. In fact, two of the signatories have already been arrested by Iranian authorities, though the authorities have not yet responded directly to the letter, according to Radio Farda."In a world where women in most countries move side by side with men in science, economy, culture, arts and politics, under the Islamic Republic women still fight for their basic human rights," the women wrote.
The letter also claimed that "systemic tyranny and irresponsibility" are the main reasons why the country is in the state it is today, with domestic protests and international politics chaotically spinning out of control before the country's very own eyes.Giti Pourfazel, an attorney who is one of the signatories in Iran, told Radio Farda in an interview on Tuesday that 14 women have signed the letter and “20 million other Iranian women could count themselves as the 15th signatory," according to the report.