Freedom of speech can come in many forms. Many use their right of free speech on the Internet. Many Americans turn to blogs to express their thoughts on many different topics. This past summer, there many protesters in Iran after their presidential election. Many believed that this election was rigged. Which made me wonder, what is Iran's view of freedom of speech, of assembly, and of the press? This also made me think...what are blogs like in Iran?
In Iran's constitution it states the following:
Article 24 [Freedom of the Press]
Publications and the press have freedom of expression except when it is detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam or the rights of the public. The details of this exception will be specified by law.
Also in Iran's constitution it has details about freedom of assembly.Article 27 [Freedom of Assembly]
Public gatherings and marches may be freely held, provided arms are not carried and that they are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam.
Although in Iran's constitution backs freedom of the press and freedom of assembly, there have been many people who were arrested for protesting about the Iranian presidential election. There were many bloggers in Iran who blogged about the protests. There are many blogs in Iran, even though many are blocked by government filters. For some more background information, I went on the New York Times blog The Lede, which interviewed an Iranian blogger named Mojtaba Saminejad. Saminejad has been arrested in 2004 and 2005 for blogging about the Iranian government. He, like so many other bloggers and journalists who covered the protests after the summer 2009 elections in Iran are fearful for their careers and lives. Just recently the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that the continued questioning of Iran's presidential election is a crime.With the recent breaking news of Iran's Nuclear Program over shadows the protests, and the opinions regarding the protests in Iran. It is difficult for the United States to discuss with Iran about this issue. I do think the United States should hint towards Iran about our concern regarding how the Iranian government is reacting towards the protests, but I do not think that we should just totally influence and recreate a new system of government in Iran. The United States needs to support freedom of speech, and not forgot about it while current negotiations are taking place regarding Iran's nuclear program.
This is from The New York Times website. This is an interesting interactive timeline about the days before, during, and after the Iranian Presidential election.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/25/world/middleeast/20090625-iranelection-timeline.html
This is an Iranian News Blog.
http://irannewsblog.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html
It seems that the parts of Iran's Constitution displayed in this blog are very similar to ours, except for the part about the fundamental principles of Islam. What are the fundamental principles of Islam? Is it just a way for the government to censor anything it wants, or does that come from my biased view that all Eastern countries do that? Is it possible for the protesters, when they are arrested, to use Article 24 and 27 in order to free themselves? Are they allowed trials? If so, are they allowed witnesses, a speedy trials, etc.? Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's opposition risked punishment for questioning the elections legality. Could the police not check the election and see if it was a fraud, or are the police under the control of the current President? We shouldn't impose our government on another country, even if we think they need it. That country's people need to decide for themselves what they want; what would be best for them.
ReplyDeleteThe fundamental principles of Islam follow the Five pillars of Islam (http://www.carm.org/five-pillars-of-islam). These pillars are ideas and guidelines that shape Muslim believes and actions. Like I said in the background post, Iran is a theocratic government. The government may use its beliefs to censure some things, but the government also censures things that are negative towards the government. The protesters are suppose to have a fair and speedy trial, but recently people have been arrested with charges, and there has been little information regarding those who have been detained (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/world/middleeast/11iran.html?scp=45&sq=&st=nyt).
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question regarding Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; it would really difficult or almost impossible for the Iranian police to check the legality of the elections. It seems to be too late to start checking. Also Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the Supreme Ruler of Iran and whatever he says goes. He has supported President Ahmadinejad and I do not think that the police can question the legality of the elections now.
I agree with you that it is important for the United States not to impose our views of government on another country. But it is important that the United States expresses its concerns regarding who Iran is treating its protesters.