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Arrests in Iran ahead of anniversary

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The World’s Laura Lynch reports that authorities in Iran are arresting suspected anti-government demonstrators as the country prepares to mark the 31st anniversary of its Islamic Revolution tomorrow. The arrests are aimed at thwarting plans for protest rallies during anniversary celebrations.

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MARCO WERMAN: I’m Marco Werman and this is The World.  Iran today rounded up more opposition activists.  The authorities are trying to avoid protests tomorrow.  But that’s going to be hard to do.  February 11th marks the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.  Tehran has organized official celebrations, but anti-government websites and blogs have called for a major turnout of anti-government protestors.  The World’s Laura Lynch spoke with one Iranian, a dissident, who lives in Toronto, but whose heart will be in Tehran.

LAURA LYNCH: In the days following last June’s disputed elections protestors spilled onto the streets of Tehran demanding a recount, calling for change.  Neda Soltan was among them, going out to demonstrate despite the danger and despite the pleas from her fiancé, Caspian Makan to stay home.

INTERPRETER:  I found her to be so far ahead of others of her generation.  I admired her ideas.  But naturally, because of my love and affection for her, I didn’t want her to be hurt or injured.  So I tried to stop her, but when I realized the depths of her commitment and her strong desire to join the people and stand next to them, I couldn’t stand in her way, so I gave up.  And then, the horrible event happened.

LYNCH: Neda Soltan died in the midst of a street protest.  Her final minutes were filmed with a phone camera and then uploaded onto the internet.  Within hours she became the symbol of the opposition protestors and Makan became a hunted man.  After speaking out about her death he was arrested and jailed.  Two months later he was released on bail and he fled.  Initially he lived in hiding somewhere in the Middle East.  But now Makan has made it to Canada.  Even knowing what could happen, he’s urging Iranians to head out to the streets tomorrow.

INTERPRETER:  It seems there’s really no other way for the Iranian people to achieve freedom other than to courageously stand up and be heard.  It is a very high price to pay.  People like Neda and others, we lose them, but unfortunately it looks like there’s no other way for us.

LYNCH: No one was ever prosecuted for Neda Soltan’s death, but Makan is certain she was shot by Iranian Security Services.  The government says 30 protestors have been killed in clashes since the election, although the opposition says more than 70 have died.  Still, Makan says, this is no time for acts of revenge or violence.  That’s not what Neda wanted, nor what the Iranian people need.

INTERPRETER:  Iranian people are smart.  You saw an example of that in Neda’s action the day she died.  You could see in the images taken by cell phone cameras, she never so much as held even a small rock in her hand.  She was not a warrior.  When I say she’s part of the Iranian people, I’m saying they’re not warriors either.

LYNCH:  In the weeks following Soltan’s death last year opposition supporters gathered at her grave.  Police used tear gas and batons to break up the crowds.  Its clear authorities are still concerned about her symbolic power.  Makan says just last month, on what would have been Neda’s 27th birthday, her family arrived at her grave bearing flowers and they were told to leave.  Makan used to make a living as a photographer, but he says he’s put that aside for the moment.

INTERPRETER:  But my people are losing their lives and I cannot stand by and selfishly follow my own interests.  So now I’m committed and will continue to be active and fight for human rights for now, on behalf of the Iranian people because of the situation.

LYNCH: There is no chance of Makan returning to Iran any time soon.  He’s on the outside looking in, hoping that what happened to Neda Soltan won’t happen again.  For The World, I’m Laura Lynch.

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