Exiled Iran opposition figures urge unity to ‘overthrow’ regime

A bunch of outstanding exiled Iranian opposition figures pleaded Friday for unity and an finish to infighting to assist the nationwide protests of current months to exchange Iran’s Islamic theocracy with a secular democracy.

The eight figures, who included Reza Pahlavi, the son of the final shah, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, stated they have been engaged on a constitution for a transition to a brand new pluralistic system that will be adopted by free elections.

Their name was made at a convention in the US a day earlier than the Islamic republic marks 44 years for the reason that February 11, 1979 Islamic revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ousted the imperial rule of shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Iran’s theocratic management is going through its best problem from almost 5 months of protests sparked by the demise of Mahsa Amini who had been arrested for allegedly violating the strict costume code for girls.

However the emigre opposition has lengthy been infamous for infighting between its numerous factions, some pro-monarchist, others left-wing or primarily based amongst Iran’s ethnic minority teams.

“It isn’t a time for infighting. The overthrow of the regime just isn’t potential with out unity and empathy,” stated Ebadi.

“Let’s depart variations for the election. We are going to transfer hand-in-hand to a greater future,” she stated in a video message to the convention on the Georgetown Institute for Girls, Peace and Safety within the US.

Pahlavi, who has lengthy campaigned for a secular democracy in Iran somewhat than any restoration of the monarchy, stated: “The time has come to consolidate our positions, put apart variations.

“The time has come to place apart slogans, roll up our sleeves and start our work,” he stated.

– ‘The subsequent wave will come’ –

Actor Golshifteh Farahani, who stated she was additionally talking on behalf of pro-protest footballer Ali Karimi, stated the contributors shared a standard aim to “overthrow and transition from the Islamic republic”, beginning with a transitional council after which elections.

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“When election day comes we can’t all need the identical issues. However we’ll rejoice our variations.”

US-based dissident Masih Alinejad stated that the group was engaged on a constitution or propositions for a transition that will be prepared on the finish of the month.

“We should agree on minimal ideas,” she stated, including: “The world should put together itself for a day with out the Islamic republic.”

The convention was additionally addressed by Hamed Esmaeilion, who represents households bereaved by Iran’s capturing down of a Ukrainian airliner in 2020, actor Nazanin Boniadi and Abdullah Mohtadi, secretary basic of the Kurdish Komala Celebration.

Most analysts agree that the protests have misplaced momentum in current months within the face of a crackdown that has seen a whole bunch killed, 1000’s arrested and 4 protest-related executions.

However the contributors insisted that the regime remained underneath menace.

“The subsequent wave will come and it is going to be heavier,” Esmaeilion stated.

“We are able to organise and plan so, when the subsequent wave comes, all of us are prepared and we will transition away from the Islamic republic.”

sjw/kir