Mousavi warns against renewed efforts to oppress protesters

Iranian opposition leader MirHosein Mousavi warned Green supporters against “staged disturbances” by Iranian security forces with the approach of the National Student Day in December.

Recently Tehran security forces set up a “manoeuvre” by staging a street carnival ridiculing the post-election protests of 2009.

Mousavi maintained that such “staged disturbances” could easily be use to “deceive public perception and security forces in order to settle new political scores.”

The opposition leader went on to criticize the government’s handling of the restructuring subsidies asking them: “Why don’t you let people know what you are planning to do with the money that you are cutting from people’s pockets through scrapping government subsidies after you have weakened the parliament and the councils, and omitted the role of Budget and Planning organizations?”

The Ahmadinejad administration is cutting Iran’s extensive government subsidies that have kept the price of energy and food staples down for years. Ahmadinejad has fought hard against the parliament to avoid accountability regarding the handling of the lucrative budget surplus that the plan will create for the government.

 

MirHosein Mousavi once more insisted on the endurance and perseverance of the Green Movement saying that despite all efforts of the government to condemn the movement through various traditional sources, three million “informed and educated” students will keep bridging information to all strata of the society.

Mousavi, who challenges the legitimacy of Mahmoud Ahmadnejad’s victory in the 2009 presidential elections, went on to add: “The Oppressors are becoming more and more isolated suspecting every thing and everyone. They churn away their old friends and perceive every criticism and advice as a conspiracy for their destruction.”

Mousavi expressed regret that the Islamic Republic authorities fail to return to the people who according to Mousavi revealed their demands in the spontaneous street demonstrations in the days following the 2009 elections.

Millions of protesters took to the streets after the 2009 presidential elections claiming their votes were stolen and Ahmadinejad’s victory was fraudulent.

The government confronted the street protests with severe violence which led to ten of deaths and even more injuries. In the past year, scores of political and social activists have also been arrested and many handed long prison sentences charged with conspiracy to topple the regime.

The opposition has refrained from organizing street demonstrations maintaining that the human costs of this form of expression in view of the violent reaction of government forces have proved to be too high.

Mousavi maintained that in the face of such “violent oppression”, supporters of the Green Movement should persevere in spreading awareness to those who do not have access to the internet.

While numerous reformist newspapers have been banned and tens of journalists arrested, the Iranian opposition has turned to the internet to spread its message.

Mousavi reminded the supporters of the Green movement: “Remember that there is no defeat in our path. However, plenty of fortitude and perseverance as well as lack of fear from fabricated charges and all oppressive actions are essential. Do not forget our chant during the street demonstrations: Do not fear! Do not fear! We are all together!”

Source: Zamaneh