MESOP NEWS : TODAYS UPDATE IRAN / SHIRIN EBADI’S CALL – Protests & Arrests Continue, UN Security Council to Meet

5 Jan 2018 – Protests continued in cities across Iran for an eighth day on Thursday. So did arrests, with more than 1,700 people now detained at some point during the demonstrations over political and economic issues.Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Friday despite Russian objections. US Ambassador Nikki Haley called for the meeting earlier this week in support of the right to protest: “This is a matter of fundamental human rights for the Iranian people, but it is also a matter of international peace and security.”

Despite the regime’s claims, including from Revolutionary Guards head Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, that protests had been quelled, at least three gatherings took place in the capital Tehran. One was on Jomhouri (Republic) Avenue, not far from the Supreme Leader’s residence. Chants included “Not Gaza, not Lebanon, I give my life to Iran”.

There were demonstrations in Shiraz in the south of Iran, Ahvaz and Dezful in the southwest, Aligoodarz in the west, and Noshahr in the north. Protests were also reported for the first time in Tabriz in the predominantly Azeri speaking northwest, with crowds chanting “spring of freedom”.

More than 130 exiled Iranian political and civic activists issued a joint statement supporting the protests while asking demonstrators ito avoid violence. Lawyer and activist Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, suggested civil disobedience, “People should stop paying electricity, water and gas bills. They should not pay their tax. They should withdraw their money from banks.”

Ebadi also appealed to Iran’s security forces, “I call on my dear children in the police forces and the Revolutionary Guards to put down their guns and do not kill their own brothers and sisters. If the country’s situation improves, you would also benefit from it.”

The regime will hope to project its message of ascendancy over the protests with a third straight of counter-marches on Friday. Today’s event of support is planned for Tehran after Friday prayers. www.mesop.de