KurdistanObserver.com

Iranian State Sponsor Of Terrorism

By: Baqi Barzani

July 27, 2007

The brutal torture of local activist Shwana Sayid Qadir by Iranian security agents has echoed in the Kurdistan world and led to angry rally and furious reactions among the Kurdish residents in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province and else where. Shwana was under lingering acts of torture until he died. He was held in solitary confinement and denied food and medical in order to force confession. Iranian prison facilities are the most notorious for the cruel and prolonged suffering inflicted upon political Kurdish opponents of the Government. Common methods of torture include suspension for long periods in contorted positions, burning with cigarettes, sleep deprivation, and, most frequently, severe and repeated beatings with cables or other instruments on the back and on the soles of the feet. Prisoners also have reported beatings about the ears, inducing partial or complete deafness, and punching in the eyes, leading to partial or complete blindness. The merciless depiction of the victim ( Shawna Sayid ) reveals to the world the scope of carnage that the Islamic republic is behind versus the innocent people of Kurdistan.

After the US occupation of Iraq, Iran has tried to join in a neutral role but it directly and indirectly interferes in the internal affairs of Iraq and should be blamed partially for the ongoing chaos. History proves that the Kurds have constantly played a constructive and patriotic role in both pre and post-revolution but always been betrayed, denied their basic rights and given promises that were never kept. The treachery by Shaw of Iran in withdrawing support for the Kurdish rebellion following the Algiers accord, the vow of autonomy in return for support against the Shah before  the  triumph of the Islamic Revolution and the ascent of Ayatollah Khomeini, the 1979  Khomeini’s declaration of a holy war against the Kurds that followed the brutal annihilation of Kurdistan and the assassination of Kurdish political leaders are some of the reliable evidences. Kurds were not interested in being part of an Islamic State and found the upheaval generated by the collapse of the central government to be an opportune moment to establish their own sovereignty.

What about Iran’s credibility from a global standpoint? The endowment of the honorary tile of  “axle of evil” with the prideful status for remaining  the most active state sponsor of terrorism?  Iran provides increasing support to numerous terrorist groups, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, HAMAS, and the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which seek to undermine the Middle East peace negotiations through the use of terrorism. Iran grants refugee to fleeing Al- Qaeda members, provides logistic and financial support and facilitates the movement of terrorists escaping from Afghanistan into Iraq to destabilize the order.  The Islamic regime continues to unabatedly violate human rights for maintenance of state power. Countless reports from a wide range of sources indicate that no significant changes towards greater human rights have occurred since the Islamic regime took power. The adverse social and economic situation leading to protests are directly linked to the political situation. Many turn to political activities in order to improve their lives. The Islamic regime fears its overthrow in any such opposition and responds with its usual force and brutality. It is obvious that almost two decades of systematic suppression have changed the nature of political activity. Yet human desires for a better life can never be stifled and people in Iran continue to protest and oppose the regime in different ways.

We condemn this act by the Iranian regime as an immense crime against humanity and genocide.  Our hearts go out to the family of victim and  we share deeply in their grief.  Reactionary states and organizations have made terrorism a stable aspect of life in our era.  We believe that through people’s power, we can and must put an end to state and non-state terrorism.  Other than its direct unimaginable criminal dimensions, it is clear to us that this occurrence is just a preface to the further escalation of a global terrorist contest.  It is a dark day – a prelude to more calamities. We call on people to come to the fore and take the world in their own hands.  The world must be taken out of the hands of  fanatic Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists.