Until We Are Free

1. Shirin Ebadi's unwavering commitment to human rights in Iran

"I was simply being honest about the country's legal climate, rather than consciously trying to defy the state. But I see now, and learned with time, how peaceful disobedience can be a powerful act of defiance."

Grassroots advocacy: Ebadi's journey as a human rights defender began with her work as a lawyer, defending vulnerable groups such as women, children, and political dissidents. She founded the Defenders of Human Rights Center, which became a crucial platform for advocating legal reform and documenting human rights abuses in Iran.

International recognition: In 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy and human rights in Iran. This recognition elevated her profile and provided a global platform for her advocacy, but also intensified the Iranian government's scrutiny of her activities.

Key areas of focus:

• Women's rights and gender equality
• Freedom of expression and political dissent
• Rights of religious and ethnic minorities
• Abolition of the death penalty, especially for minors

2. The 2009 Iranian election and its aftermath: A turning point

"They beat matrons who had been protesting peacefully; they opened fire on the unarmed crowds, composed of the young and the old, the working class and the middle class."

The Green Movement: The disputed 2009 presidential election, which saw the controversial re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sparked widespread protests known as the Green Movement. Millions of Iranians took to the streets to demand fair elections and political reform, challenging the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic.

Brutal crackdown: The government's response to the protests was swift and violent. Security forces used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and mass arrests. The suppression of the Green Movement marked a significant setback for Iran's reform movement and led to increased political repression.

Key consequences:

• Arrest and house arrest of opposition leaders
• Intensified crackdown on civil society and media
• Erosion of public trust in the electoral process
• Increased international isolation for Iran

3. Exile and the personal cost of activism

"I'm not afraid of going to prison. I know that it would be politically too costly for the state to keep a Nobel laureate imprisoned for too long and I'd be released after a spell. But the intelligence agents were far too clever for that. They would arrange, as they had done in the past, for a mob to attack my house, and I would be killed in the melee."

Forced separation: Ebadi's decision to remain in exile after the 2009 election crackdown was driven by the imminent threat to her life and freedom. This separation from her homeland, family, and colleagues took a significant emotional toll, highlighting the personal sacrifices often required of human rights defenders.

Continued persecution: Despite being in exile, Ebadi and her family continued to face harassment and intimidation from the Iranian government. The authorities confiscated her properties, froze her bank accounts, and pressured her husband to denounce her publicly, demonstrating the regime's determination to silence its critics, even beyond Iran's borders.

Impacts of exile:

• Separation from family and support network
• Challenges of adapting to life in a new country
• Difficulty in directly engaging with Iranian civil society
• Need to find new ways to continue advocacy work

4. The Islamic Republic's tactics of intimidation and persecution

"They take the person you love the most away from you and crush them."

Targeting families: The Iranian government frequently employs tactics that target the families of activists and dissidents. This includes arrests, interrogations, and economic pressure on relatives, aiming to create leverage against critics and deter others from speaking out.

Legal harassment: The authorities use the judicial system as a tool for repression, bringing spurious charges against human rights defenders and their associates. This includes tax evasion claims, national security charges, and accusations of "propaganda against the regime."

Common tactics:

• Arbitrary arrests and detentions
• Travel bans and passport confiscations
• Surveillance and wiretapping
• Forced confessions and televised denunciations
• Economic pressure through asset seizures and job dismissals

5. Iran's complex political landscape and the struggle for reform

"Iran's elections have largely been clean, if only because the process of vetting candidates is itself dirty: high clerical authorities vet candidates and permit only those figures they consider acceptable to make it onto the ballot."

Controlled democracy: Iran's political system combines elements of theocracy and limited democracy. While elections are held regularly, the Guardian Council, an unelected body of clerics and jurists, vets candidates and can disqualify those deemed insufficiently loyal to the Islamic Republic's principles.

Reform movement's challenges: Reformist politicians in Iran face significant obstacles in implementing meaningful change. Even when reformists gain electoral victories, as with President Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005), their efforts are often stymied by conservative institutions and the supreme leader's ultimate authority.

Key political institutions:

• Supreme Leader: Holds ultimate power in the system
• Guardian Council: Vets candidates and laws
• President: Elected head of government, but with limited powers
• Parliament: Elected body, but subject to Guardian Council oversight

6. The impact of regional events on Iran's political climate

"Through the bloodbath that unfolded in Syria, the Islamic Republic conveyed a clear warning to Iranians, both those inside the country and the opposition movement abroad. The message was: If you rise up, we will crush you."

Arab Spring's influence: The wave of popular uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, known as the Arab Spring, had complex implications for Iran. While the Iranian government initially portrayed these events as an "Islamic Awakening" inspired by its own revolution, it became increasingly concerned about the potential for similar unrest at home.

Syria as a cautionary tale: Iran's support for the Assad regime in Syria during its brutal civil war served as a stark warning to Iranians about the potential consequences of challenging the government. The devastation in Syria was used to discourage any thoughts of rebellion within Iran.

Regional dynamics affecting Iran:

• Rise and fall of Islamist governments in Egypt and Tunisia
• Ongoing conflict in Syria and Iran's role
• Tensions with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states
• Nuclear negotiations and relations with the West

7. Challenges and opportunities in Iran's future

"Iran remains a country where a man can marry up to four wives, where women face enormous challenges securing a divorce, and where a married woman cannot travel without the written permission of her husband. The list of discriminatory laws that are unfit for Iran's modern society is long, and if we are blunt about it, Hassan Rouhani stands no chance of bringing about reforms in this area."

Structural barriers to reform: The deep-rooted power of conservative institutions and the supreme leader's authority make it difficult to implement significant reforms in Iran. Even when more moderate figures like Hassan Rouhani are elected president, their ability to enact change is limited.

Civil society resilience: Despite facing severe repression, Iranian civil society continues to show remarkable resilience. Activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens find creative ways to push for change and express dissent, often at great personal risk.

Key areas for potential progress:

• Economic development and reducing international isolation
• Gradual relaxation of social restrictions
• Improved protection of basic rights and due process
• Increased space for civil society and independent media
• Greater women's rights and gender equality

Last updated: November 18, 2024