Fariba Amini

Famed Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji announced an initiative to send a letter to the U.N. Secretary General condemning the Iranian government for repeated human rights violations. According to Ganji, several of the world’s best-known progressive intellectuals have signed the letter.

Below is an excerpt of Ganji’s interview.

(Q): You previous letter titled, “Contempt and Weakness,” raised different reactions. Unlike you, who dismissed criticism as weak and called for active opposition, others have not only dismissed active opposition but also asked others to refrain from criticizing the regime for the time being. Is this disagreement due to different analyses that are available of Iran’s situation?

(A): The difference in opinion does not necessarily result from a difference in analysis. Several factors have brought about the difference in opinion. I will mention some here.
1 – Complexity of the situation: According to some friends, it is difficult if not impossible to analyze Iran due to the complex situation we are in. In my opinion, however, bringing up the complexity of the situation is only a way of justifying passivism and inaction.
2 – Goal(s) of political activism: The goal of many political activists is to cross over the Islamic Republic and establish a democratic government. Because of this, many people evaluate any action through this framework: if an action leads to the regime’s disintegration, it is desirable; otherwise, it is useless and undesirable. Since many actions do not lead to the Islamic Republic’s disintegration, they are regarded as useless.
3 – Expectations from political activism: The expectation that any kind of activity will lead to the regime’s disintegration is an unreasonable one, if we define reasonable in terms of compatibility between means and goals. Many kinds of political activity do not cause the regime’s downfall, but they are worthy in themselves.
4 – Criticizing the people: Our intellectual and political history is a history of blaming the government for all ills and problems. The other side of the story is comprised of an innocent, immaculate creature called “the people.” In reality, however, the government reflects a society’s internal capacity.

(Q): Have you done anything after writing that letter to portray Iran’s difficult situation and help imprisoned dissidents and activists?

(A): I have written a letter to the U.N. Secretary General about Iran’s condition. The world’s best-known progressive individuals have placed their signature under the letter and approved of its contents. Signing the letter demonstrates support for the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and equality. It also is a legal and ethical condemnation of the Iranian regime. This letter, in effect, is a global condemnation of the regime, because intellectuals from the United States, Germany, Britain, Canada, South Africa, India, Egypt, Sudan, Chile and other countries have signed it. Iranian leaders must know that the world’s most renowned intellectuals condemn the regime very openly for its human rights violations.