To:  U.S. Congress United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

April 3rd, 2010

Honorable Members of US Congress

Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) are international broadcasting services funded by US Government through Broadcasting Board of Governors.

VOA and RFE/RL broadcast daily news and various programs worldwide in many languages including Persian (Farsi). RFE/RL broadcasts in Persian as Radio Farda.

We, the undersigned are:
1. Opposed to VOA and Radio Farda’s policy of censorship of Islamic Republic regime’s real opposition
2. Opposed to VOA and Radio Farda aiding Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), in misleading the Iranian people.

The VOA Charter as published on their web site is as follows:

1. VOA will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. VOA news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive.

2. VOA will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.

3. VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussions and opinion on these policies.

RFE/RL mission statement as published on their web site indicates:

“The mission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is to promote democratic values and institutions by disseminating factual information and ideas.

From Central Europe to the Pacific, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, from Russia to Central Asia to the Persian Gulf, countries are struggling to overcome autocratic institutions, violations of human rights, centralized economies, ethnic and religious hostilities, regional conflicts, and controlled media.

Stability -- based on democracy and free-market economies -- throughout this region is essential to global peace. Based on the conviction that the first requirement of democracy is a well informed citizenry, and building on nearly a half century of surrogate broadcasting to this region:

RFE/RL provides objective news, analysis, and discussion of domestic and regional issues crucial to successful democratic and free-market transformations.

RFE/RL strengthens civil societies by projecting democratic values”.

VOA Persian Broadcasting and Radio Farda have violated their charter and mission statement respectively by consistently broadcasting subjective and censored news and programs.

• The news, opinions and discussions made on VOA and Radio Farda are mainly in support of Islamic Republic regime and do not represent a balanced view towards news and events related to Iran and US Policy towards Iran.

• VOA and Radio Farda guests and contributors are amongst Islamic Republic Lobbyists in US and regime supporters - those whose goal is to save Islamic Republic, by promoting various figure heads of the regime as fabricated opposition leaders and saviors of Iran and Iranians. The leaders and representatives of the Iranian society and various political groups that are the real opposition to Islamic Republic are rarely reported on or invited to participate in VOA and Radio Farda programs.

• The current uprising, the continuous human right abuses in Iran, the suppression, imprisonment and execution of Iranians go unnoticed in VOA and Radio Farda or are not reported on in detail as to undermine the real opposition movement in Iran that wants to put an end to Islamic Republic and demands a democratic, free and secular Iran.

The regime in Iran censors and falsifies the news, shuts down and blocks internet sites and monitors internet access in order to control the news and information reaching its citizens – a trademark of all authoritarian regimes.

Broadcasts by International media into Iran are the only source of factual news and information for majority of Iranians. Iranians have a right to know who the real opposition leaders and advocates of a regime change in Iran are. Individuals who are for many years campaigning for a free, secular and democratic Iran and represent their rights and interests.

The broadcasts by VOA and Radio Farda are vivid evidence that they are biased in their reporting; their policies are contradictory to democratic values and they only promote those responsible for violation of human rights and their supporters.

We are requesting from US Congress to:

1. Initiate an investigation into VOA and Radio Farda biased policies.

2. Enforce a fair and balanced broadcasting with an objective view of events regarding Iran and demand engagement with the true forces of opposition to current regime in Iran.

The fundamental question for honorable members of Congress is: “Is Islamic Republic of Iran considered a rogue, violent, terrorist regime, and an abuser of human rights that should not be tolerated or supported by international community?”

We hope that US Congress would take action to support true forces of opposition to current regime in Iran and take steps to implement corrective measures in regard to VOA and Radio Farda.

Continuation of current policies of VOA and Radio Farda will leave no choice for us as Iranian-Americans and/or supporters of People of Iran and supporters of true forces of opposition to IRI regime to strongly consider taking legal action against VOA and Radio Farda, and ultimately US Government, for what we see as promoting violators of human rights, condoning imprisonment, torture and execution of innocent people and supporting a terrorist and tyrannical regime by these establishments.

Sincerely,
Iranians advocating Freedom, Democracy, Secularism & Human Rights in Iran


Sign the petition here

Honourable member of the European Parliament,

It has come to my attention that you are planning to visit the Islamic republic of Iran very soon.

As you may know, in that country, at this very moment, a fierce battle rages between a freedom seeking nation and the forces of oppression. Oppression of everything that you -and Europe as a whole- stand for, or are supposed to stand for.

In Iran, visiting dignitaries from abroad will be used against any opposition forces by the fascist leadership, as has been the practice for the past three decades. Whatever goals you may have to visit Iran, for the regime your presence alone will be sufficient. Because, anyone with the nerve to question the authority of the fascist regime in Iran will be told to shut up, since 'dignitaries from all over the world are standing in line to honour the Islamic republic with a visit.'

I can only think that your intention to travel is the result of your naivety, with all respect. I do not want to think that you are actually going to Iran for your purse or that of your respective countries. That would be too gross.

As a small reminder of the hospitality of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I enclose a link to a preview of a dramatised documentary that was made very recently about how people are being treated in Iran, once they fall into the hands of the people that you are going to meet. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSlh4L_HIwE&feature=autofb

Maybe I must remind you of the fact that not everyone is in the possession of a diplomatic passport.

Visiting Iran at this moment is an affront to all the people who already gave their live in the struggle against oppression, and to all who are ready to die for the freedoms that you yourself already enjoy. What is needed right now , is to call back our ambassadors from Iran immediately, not visiting Iran and thereby showing your consent with what is going on. You were not elected to sell us to the fascists!

If you have any political sense, you cancel this trip and you let the whole world know why. The reasons are self-evident: the people of Iran have sufficiently demonstrated that enough is enough. Ignoring the present situation in Iran, and acting according to the 'business as usual' approach that has stained Europe's policy towards the Islamic republic for the past thirty years, will bring you great shame and hunt you till your last breath.

This is your moment to show moral courage. Seize it and you will be honoured for the rest of time. Ignore it, and you will show to the whole world what you are: a spineless, greedy politician, who failed when the moment to speak out presented itself.

I wish you a lot of intelligence and courage, because you will be going to need it.

Yours faithfully,

Neek Seresht
http://waterworld.blogdrive.com

RESPONSABILITIES OF A SUCCESFULL TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT IN IRAN

At the request of Minuvash, I made a list of tasks that the transitional government of Iran should face, for it to be successful. I don't claim to completely deal with all tasks. Consider this a starting point from where we can move on and see if there are points missing, that can be added. Though we prioritised the tasks at hand, within a given section I did not make any priorities. That is to say, these tasks are more or less equally important.

What you can see is that almost all immediate tasks are focussing on control. Control over the means of any system to exert its authority over the country. Then, once these first tasks have been accomplished, we can afford to look further and create the circumstances for what we really want to achieve with this change of government and policies. Finally, we have to take care of the victims and the supporters of the current system in a civilised manner. There is not going to be a day of reckoning, but all crimes committed since 1979 will be dealt with.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS NECESSARY

   1   Declare a general state of emergency

• In order for the transitional government to carry out its difficult tasks, it needs special authorities granted under a general state of emergency. Law enforcement possesses extended authorities compared to normal laws and regulations. The duration and nature of this state of emergency has to be announced to the public so that it is aware of the special circumstances and how long they will last.

   2   Maintain the territorial integrity of the country and secure control over the armed forces

• The support of and control over the armed forces is imperative to secure the borders of the country and to prevent any third party from taking advantage of the situation. The armed forces secure the foundation of the transitional government

   3   Maintain law and order

• The transitional government will be responsible for the maintenance of law and order under the new situation. Command of police forces is necessary, as well as neutralisation of the forces of old.

   4   Take control of the nuclear infrastructure

• The nuclear infrastructure should be taken over as soon as possible. This includes all sites, known and unknown, where nuclear activity is taking place, as well as all staff and personnel working in this sector. All programs will be put on hold.

   5   Take control of the intelligence apparatuses

• Self evident: all intelligence agencies will be scrutinised and staff arrested if necessary. Agents and their commanders will be held accountable for their acts

   6   Take over control of the prison system

• Followed by the dismantling of the current system and the formation of a new prison system. Secure records and other relevant information

   7   Control the banking system

• To prevent any capital flight and take control of money transactions in the country and abroad

   8   Secure control of the state media and communications services

• State TV and radio will initially be the channel at the service of the transitional government to inform the people transparently about its activities etc. Internet services, as well as telephone, telegraph and satellite services will have to be in the control of the transitional government

   9   Take control of the oil industry

• To secure the influx of foreign currency and at the same time to ease the anxieties of foreign investors, their respective governments and the oil companies.

 

MIDTERM ACTIONS

  10   Initiate a constitutional gathering to draft a new constitution

• The primary task of the Constitutional Gathering is to draft a new, democratic and secular constitution based on principles of human rights. The constitution should deal with: the separation of powers, the role of the government, the election process, the rights of the people, etc.

  11  Organise a free ballot and a referendum on the new constitution

• The population will be given the opportunity to give its opinion on the new constitution in a free and fair referendum, with international observers (UN) present to overview the election process. The referendum should take place within 6 months or maximum a year after the erection of the Constitutional Gathering. Possibly a census needs to precede the referendum.

  12  Preserve financial stability and economic traffic

• To prevent the collapse of the economy and to secure that normal economic traffic between citizens and between businesses will remain in place, the transitional government will have extraordinary powers to control and set prices, secure distribution of basic goods, etc.

  13  Maintain diplomatic affairs, both in the country (with foreign diplomats) and through the embassies abroad

• The transitional government must secure its relations with foreign countries through its contacts with foreign diplomats in the country and through its embassies abroad. It is important that the foreign powers know what is going on in the country, what are the goals of the transitional government and how the transitional government wants to achieve those goals.

  14  Set up a new justice system

• The old justice system needs to be replaced with a justice system that is modern, civilised and based on generally accepted notions of justice. All existing laws need to be reviewed and cleansed of references to shari'a law.

  15  Bring all Bonyads or foundations under control of the transitional government

• The economy of the country to a great extend is being run through bonyads. This shadow system of money streams and ownership needs to be dismantled and brought under the control of the transitional government. Policies need to be developed on how to reallocate money and possessions formerly in the hands of the bonyads to the citizens of the country.

  16  Replace all political appointees in the current governmental structures

• The entire political system that was, will be scrutinised and cleansed of the agents of the old system. Anyone in an official position will have to pay responsibility for his actions in the past decades. Possibly a special tribunal will have to be set up.

  17  Investigate fraud and embezzlement of state funds

• A team of experts will investigate where the money went in the past decades. Financial crime will be dealt with in a thorough manner.

  18  Extend the new government to provinces and municipalities

• The transitional government will have to be present in the whole country, which means that new provincial and municipal councils will have to be set up, in accordance with the new system.

  20  Control the distribution of food and basic necessities

• The transitional government will have emergency powers to secure the distribution of food and other basic necessities.

  21  Re-establish international trade relations and reconsider any signed treaties since 1979

• The transitional government will reconsider all treaties that the old system signed, and will declare its full co-operation with institutes like the IAEA. Furthermore, a treaty with Venezuela about the establishment of tractor factories and housing will be abandoned. Agreements with Hezbollah and Hamas will be abandoned, just as the payments to individual members of named organisations.

        LONG TERM ACTIONS

  22  Set up new curricula for the whole educational system

• The entire educational system will be overhauled and new curricula will be set up. The education for all students will be based on the new constitution, and void of overt ideological values. Criteria for attending universities will be based on educational results, not on religious or ideological zeal.

  23  Organise a national reconciliation and the trial of those who committed serious crimes

• Although all criminal activities of the old system must be judged, the aim of the new system will not be revenge. People have to move on. Therefor, a national reconciliation will have to be organised, as was done in South-Africa after the fall of the Apartheid regime. However, serious crimes committed under the old system will be dealt with in special tribunals.

  24  Setting up de-IRI programs for all those related to the IRI

• The participants of the old system will be re-educated to make sure that the future generations will have a mindset that meets the principals of democracy, human rights and equal treatment of the sexes. Educational programs will be set up to guarantee that the fascist state of mind will be no longer present in society.

I repeat once more that this list does not claim to be complete. It is a first attempt to discover the areas that any future government has to cover in order to successfully establish a new system that is democratic and based on human rights. Possibly there are omissions, and I invite all readers to come up with points that I have missed. However, in my humble view, here are some points that can not be missed in setting up a new governmental system for Iran.

Neek Seresht,

September 2009