Reform, Revolution, and Change
April 26, 2011
Islamic Republic of Iran Forcefully Targets Civic and Democratic Organizations
May 4, 2011
Sohrab Razzaghi gives an interview with Rooz Online’s Fereshteh Ghazi about the bill before Iran’s Parliament that aims to limit independent civil society in Iran. Razzaghi stated:
“This is in reality yet another nail in the coffin, civil associations in Iran which would deny them their freedom and would result in the elimination of all the achievements that people have gained in this respect by the government. The implementation of this bill would end the life the country’s independent civil society and in its place create an obedient and quiet dependant society.”
Available in Persian as well.
For Dutch speakers, Sohrab Razzaghi appears in a video made by OneWorld.nl during a conference in The Hague:
YouTube als spreekbuis tegen onrecht – reportage from Oneworld.nl on Vimeo.
Voice of America opines on the future of Iran’s civil society:
Now Iran’s beleaguered civil society faces a new threat. The majlis is considering a bill that would set up a special committee, overseen by the Ministry of the Interior with representatives from security-based bodies, including the Basij, which would make key decisions for all civil society or non-governmental organizations. The committee would approve or disapprove registration permits, as well as requests for marches or demonstrations; have authority over boards of directors; and require prior permission for any cooperation with international agencies or participation in educational conferences abroad.
Amnesty International and the Amsterdam-based NGO Arseh Sevom say if the bill is passed (and its basic outlines have already been approved), “It will sound the death knell for civil society in Iran.”
Radio Zamaneh also reports on the bill:
Amnesty International and Dutch human rights organization, Arseh Sevom issued a joint statement urging Iranian lawmakers to reject the bill that would govern “the establishment and supervision of non-governmental organizations.” They maintain that the bill aims to control and eradicate independent organizations in Iran.
