February 7th, 2012 – [Kaleme] In a joint, open letter Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi’s children call upon their oppressed and suffering compatriots and all freedom loving and justice seeking citizens across the globe to act as their voice to the world at large and echo their demand for justice and the release of all oppressed yet resistant prisoners, including all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience across Iran.
The complete content of the letter provided to Kaleme and Saham News is as follows:
In the name of God,
To our oppressed and suffering compatriots who have sacrificed so much and all those who seek liberty and justice across the globe,
We are approaching the one year anniversary of the illegal house arrest of our loved ones; an illegal house arrest that violated all international conventions and domestic laws; an illegal house arrest that took place as a result of the demand by our loved ones that the ruling government issue a permit for rallies in support of the anti-authoritarian movements taking place the region at the time; an illegal house arrest that rendered our loved ones as nameless prisoners without any legal rights. Their request for a permit was an act that neither you nor your companions would ever regard as a crime, for to the contrary, it demonstrated their high level of social consciousness and their ability to accept responsibility.
Both Mousavi and Karroubi have held high level positions within the government and served their country for many years. Their service to the country includes 8 years as head of Parliament [Karroubi] and 8 years as Prime Minister under extremely difficult conditions of war and economic sanctions [Mousavi]. Throughout these years, they have both remained compassionate and loyal companions to their compatriots.
During the 2009 presidential elections, these two honorable men even passed the Guardian Council’s strict vetting process, including overcoming Approbative Supervision [Tanslator’s Note:an interpretation of Iran’s Constitution that allows institutions like the Guardians Council to veto laws that have popular support and to disqualify candidates running for public office]. Despite the fact that this law is contrary to the slogans and ideals of the founder of the Islamic Revolution that all individuals have the freedom to participate in the selection process for the nomination of presidential candidates, these two honorable men passed the vetting process and began their respective electoral campaigns in accordance to the existing laws. Although they witness many violations of the law at the hands of a rival candidate; a candidate with an upper hand as a result of his extensive political support and unlimited access to national resources, they nevertheless engaged in healthy and fair competition during their respective electoral campaigns. Furthermore, both candidates went out of their way to remain civil and respectful during the presidential debates, voicing criticism of the country’s conditions taking into consideration our national interests; criticism that is now apparent to all and continues to be voiced by many.
After the unexpected results of the presidential elections that were contrary to all evidence and documentation at hand, and following the street protests by millions of Iranian citizens in accordance to the laws stipulated under Iran’s Constitution, Mousavi and Karroubi also voiced their criticism of the election results, standing firm with the protesting citizens of Iran. They too were beaten during the protest and one of their family members was even martyred. Furthermore, they faced a grand conspiracy, extreme defamation and suppression and their homes were brutally attacked and defaced by an army of thugs.
The last inhumane and illegal act imposed upon our loved ones was this so called house arrest. It has been one year since this inhumane act took place. During this time the authorities and entities associated with the ruling government, who have to date ignored the rule of law, have continued to lie and insist that it is our loved ones who have requested that the government protect them and they [the government] are only protecting their lives. They have nothing to say, no rationale to present to the citizens of Iran and the world at large for the acts they have committed. Are the blatant lies that are at times divulged by certain authorities both inside Iran and abroad not inconsistent with the truth?
We the families of the aforementioned loved ones clearly and unequivocally state that they have been detained against their will and in violation of the law for the past year. Furthermore, during this past year, with the exception of a hand full of phone calls and restricted, short, controlled visitations they have been deprived of all communication with the outside world and deprived of their legal rights. To date not a signal authority of the ruling government, has accepted responsibility for this illegal act. Their food, health and medication is also controlled rather than being provided by an independent and impartial party. There is also much uncertainty regarding their security and the location of their detention. It goes without saying that the concerns regarding their well being are greatly increasing with the passing of each day.
In addition, we the family of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and Zahra Rahnavard, declare on their behalf that we protest this form of incarceration, be it house arrest or other and demand an end to this illegal and inhumane act. Those who commit such acts are fully aware that they behavior will not affect on the will of our loved ones, for they will never compromise and will continue to defend the rights and ideals that were expressed by millions of our compatriots who came to the streets in protest. They will continue to defend the rights of those who were slain, those who were martyred, arrested, incarcerated, tortured and mistreated. They will also continue to defend the rights of thousands of prisoners who remain strong and continue to persevere behind bars.
We ask the ruling government on the honor, life and property of our nation to refrain from acts that are inhuman, unpatriotic and against our religious foundations and will only bring us to the brink of war and destruction and instead return to a path based on logic the rule of law and the national interests of our nation.
We the families of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, two honorable men who have been deprived of their human rights but have nevertheless remained steadfast and true to their oath to defend the rights of our citizens, now call upon our oppressed and suffering compatriots and all freedom loving and justice seeking individuals dedicated to human rights across the globe, to act as a symbol of support for a nation that has been deprived of their rights. We ask in particular that you support the innocent martyrs and prisoners in Iran and stand with Iranians inside Iran who seek true democracy, acting as our voice to the world at large and echoing our demand for justice. Tell the world: “We demand the release of all oppressed yet resistant prisoners, including all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience across Iran and we believe that an honorable and great nation such as Iran does not deserve such economic and political hardship and God forbid war.”
The families of Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi
February 7th, 2012
Source: http://www.kaleme.com/1390/11/19/klm-90066/