On July 17 Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, chairman of the Assembly of Experts and Expediency Discernment Council, led Friday prayers for the first time since the June 12 elections. Grassroots activists and the ruling establishment alike listened closely to his remarks to discern how far he would go in criticizing the regime.
Rafsanjani, rather than directly challenge Khamenei, staked a middle ground. He became the first senior Iranian leader to call the post-election unrest a “crisis” for the Iranian Republic and spoke directly to the need to resolve public doubts about the election outcome. Invoking the founding principles of Ayatollah Khomeini, Rafsanjani criticized the violence against protestors, called for the release of those arrested and urged the relaxation of press restrictions imposed post-election.
However, Rafsanjani’s frequent references to the revolution and founding of the Islamic republic indicate that, as an establishment figure, he is not likely to support sweeping changes the grassroots opposition may want. Rather, he advocated resolving political disputes within the confines of the existing system, calling for consensus and unity. Rafsanjani seemed to be angling for the position of kingmaker as he spoke in support of protestors while at the same time not pushing too hard on the regime.
It is too early to know what impact Rafsanjani’s speech will have among grassroots activists, but what is clear is that the security forces did not heed his calls for an end to violence. Police used tear gas and beat protestors during and after the Friday sermon.
This issue of the Iran Election Bulletin explores the state of human rights in Iran following the elections, what the crackdowns may mean for the future of a grassroots movement and how foreign policy stances around the world may contribute toward improving or worsening human rights.
-
More:
— Read the latest issue of the Bulletin
— Read past issues:-
Vol. 1, No. 9 – June 26, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Vol. 1, No. 8 – June 11, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Vol. 1, No. 7 – May 22, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Vol. 1, No. 6 – May 8, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Vol. 1, No. 5 – April 24, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Vol. 1, No. 4 – April 10, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Vol. 1, No. 3 – March 27, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Vol. 1, No. 2 – March 13, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Vol. 1, No. 1 – Feb. 27, 2009 | Read this issue »
-
Pictured above: An Iranian protests in the street following the election. Photo Courtesy of Flickr User .faramarz
–
Published on June 26, 2009
