The Iranian uprising and Europe’s shameful silence

Jan 7, 2018 by

by Melanie Phillips:

The Iranian uprising and Europe’s silence In all the years of anxiety over what to do about the greatest sponsor of global terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the hope has been that the Iranian people would overthrow the brutal theocracy that has subjugated them.

The past week has seen the most significant popular uprising in Iran since the regime took power in 1979. Mass demonstrations erupted in an unprecedented spread across the country. At least 22 demonstrators have been killed and more than 1000 arrested.

Now the head of the regime’s Revolutionary Guards says the protests are over. Given the viciousness and brutality of the Guards and the Basij security militia, this is certainly possible; but even if so, this is unlikely to be the end of the resistance.

For the revolt is more important even than the last big protest, the so-called Green Revolution in 2009. That was against voting irregularities and president Ahmadinejad. This time it has been against the regime itself.

The people have been calling for “Death to Khamenei,” Iran’s supreme leader, “Death to Rouhani,” Iran’s supposedly moderate president, and to “End the clerical regime!” Revolutions against tyrannical oppressors require extraordinary levels of courage and determination. We know from Soviet Union dissidents how desperately such people need to know the world is with them and to hear their oppressors put on notice that their behavior is being watched.

The very worst thing for those pitting their lives against tyranny is silence from the rest of the world. That’s what tyrants depend upon to stamp out the sparks of freedom.

Read here

Read also: Behind the Latest Protests in Iran by Amir Taheri, Gatestone Institute

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