A public letter for the attention of the Honorable John Bolton, the US Ambassador at the UN

SMCCDI (Public Statement): Read the letter here.

The "Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran" (SMCCDI)

September 7, 2005

The Honorable John Bolton,

United States Ambassador to the UN

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Via Federal Express & Fax (202) 647-0244

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

On behalf of the membership of the "Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran" (SMCCDI), and the people of Iran who have striven so long for freedom of speech, worship, assembly, a free press, civil liberties, woman's rights, the application of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the rule of law; We congratulate you on your nomination as America’s Ambassador to the UN.

Comes now this duly body of the Iranian opposition, to apprise you of the facts, the conclusions and suggestions we have been given to put forward herein this letter, as context to the 2005 UN Summit, and the pending address to the UN of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s appointed president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with the gravest concern for the welfare and common good of all people, and generations to come….

“In Larger Freedom”

The body of evidence compiled over the long history of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s systemic methodology of torture, political repression and murder of journalists and dissidents; crimes against humanity including the past and current crackdown on ethnic and religious minorities, and “troublemakers” (i.e.: political dissidents of the regime); applying a Gender Apartheid policy and sexual discrimination against women; sponsoring and officially engaging in terrorism (internally and externally), by its leadership and proxy; suppression of the press, closing of TV and newspapers as well as confiscation of satellite dishes, the arrest of "bloggers" and the shutting down of internet sites, arbitrary arrest and lack of "due process"; the denial of requested information to the UN Commission on Human Rights (and its sub committees), the denial of access and information to the IAEA, false declaration to various UN committee; The failure to uphold the tenants of the UN Charter signed by Iran in 1948 (in multiple aspects, consistently and premeditative, and the long history of denial, subterfuge, bribery, and false public statements on the record in the UN we believe must be addressed in totality, before the Security Council, along with other issues and recommendations brought before the council regarding this regime, to obtain a holistic solution to a common threat.

We understand that the UN Commission on Human Rights mandate covers only one aspect of the larger picture that must be addressed, and while the "1503 procedure" states, " No communication will be admitted if it runs counter to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations or appears to be politically motivated." and further states, "As a rule, communications containing abusive language or insulting remarks about the State against which the complaint is directed will not be considered."

We believe it is essential that you and the Commission understand that SMCCDI's intent is not "politically motivated" in seeking greater freedom for Iran’s people, nor does any member aspire to become a representative of any new political structure that may exist in a future free Iran. It is important for us that you and the UN understand the nature and precepts of SMCCDI as well as the long road that has brought the opposition in general to the conclusions and suggestions expressed herein.

While the 1503 procedure states that no "insulting language" be used, the truth is different from opinion, and evil is as evil does. Therefore, while the Islamic regime will no doubt claim insult and injury to its reputation, one must in all honesty; call it like one sees it being manifest in action. Using logic over emotionalism, truth over viewpoint, and ethics over all.

This is one of the reasons we welcome your tenure as UN Ambassador, as you have the reputation of manifesting tangible results, whether it be on UN reform, proliferation of WMD, or state sponsors of terrorism. We wish to inform you as a courtesy that a copy of this letter will be hand delivered to the door of the UN, on September 14th, for your kind inspection, while thousands of freedom loving Iranians outside the UN protesting this regime cheer you on as well as cheering on other free nation’s representatives as measures are taken to address the theocratic regime’s abysmal activities before the UN general assembly.

As you may face the incarnation of boycott and the regime’s answer to the aspirations of the Iranian people’s desire to self determination in the form of an evil man who has come to power illegitimately; who comes to usurp the chair of membership in the UN which is by right the chair belonging to the Iranian people; Usurped by an unpopular regime that has never held credence to the premise of the UN charter, or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in word or deed; we urge you, and all free nation’s representatives to address this issue of , and consider wisely the matter of the regime’s membership, as a matter of UN reform.

Sir,

Our opposition movement (SMCCDI) is bound by a charter formed on principals such as; Human Rights, Democracy, separation of church and states, and free markets. We believe these principals represent the most fair and efficient means for humanity to realize its potential.

Ultimately, no repressive, intolerant regime can withstand the spread of these ideals.

The Islamic Republic regime currently in power in Iran or any Islamic variances that may exist there in the future are no exception. By staying true to these values our people's triumph is absolutely, positively, and undeniably inevitable.

It is these precepts voiced by Secretary General Kofi Annan; “Today, our challenge -- as it was for the founders of the United Nations -- is to pass on to our children a brighter legacy than that bequeathed to us. We must build a future as envisioned in the UN Charter -- a future “in larger freedom”.”; that the Iranian opposition, and the democracy movement in Iran is based upon, referencing the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, so often among the various opposition groups over these past years.

The horror of this evil regime's hypocrisy, and methodical atrocities can only be likened to a daily Auschwitz for the stain it brings on the honor of those who appease and support and lengthen the life span of this barbaric and tyrannical regime through silence, economic incentive, "engagement" and illusion. Blind or not as they may be of what is taking place in our country, or the intent of the regime in many aspects that threaten the security of the international community.

Nor can the international community, or any member of any government that holds in their heart the values of freedom continue to turn their back on these long standing issues, and still call themselves human. Or allow this regime, along with other human rights abusers to block necessary UN reform of the human rights commission, or the draft measures in reference on “responsibility to protect”.

As a “test case” for UN reform, the Islamic Republic regime qualifies in every conceivable way.

It is our hope placed in trust that you (as have the US President and his Secretary of State and many members of US Congress in the past) will illuminate the plight of our people that have struggled to shrug off the oppressors and theocratic chains which have bound the Iranian people for so long. Chains which have silenced the voice of the people in utterance, and stilled them with overwhelming force. Chains denying the Iranian people a better future for our children, and our children's children for over a generation in this process

Speaking in regard to "International Woman's Day, March 8, 2005" the US Secretary of State said, "Freedom, the protection of fundamental human rights, economic opportunity and prosperity, equality and the rule of law...these are all elements of the democratic process. Women are integral to the process of building responsible governments and democratic institutions. Women's participation and empowerment at all levels of society will be key to moving these new democracies forward."

It is the women, who represent a large part of the opposition and will make a major contribution through their degree of knowledge and political and civil maturity to the democratic and peaceful revolution we seek to manifest, as well as to a future democratic Iran. We cannot carry such baggage or the individuals who continue to deny women their place in society in this process of regaining our freedom and their equality in the process.

Mr. Ambassador,

When one considers the IRI in totality, the abysmal human rights record, its long-standing support for terrorism, it's WMD programs in violation of signed agreements; logic dictates that with or without referral by the IAEA, this ideological and unelected regime should not just be sanctioned, but booted out of the UN altogether for gross violation of the UN charter, which the Iran Nation is a signatory to, believing it to be criminally negligent for any nation to support the continuance and aspirations of the Islamic Republic system one day longer, and remaining "seized of the matter." As Churchill put it, "Given the choice between war and dishonor, Chamberlain chose dishonor and got war."

To this point, the only leader of free nations who's had that alternate vision of an Iran existing within the community of nations..."in larger freedom", and had the guts to voice the option is President George W. Bush....".. and to the Iranian people I say tonight, as you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you." The man presented possibilities to people in so doing, as a president will on occasion.

Those words of hope to our people must now be joined in chorus among all free nations, standing in solidarity with the tenets and premise of “in larger freedom”. The freedom from fear, from want, the hope to raise our children in dignity and in religious freedom in a nation that is truly secular and representative of the people’s will.

We shall see if the UN honors the precepts of its founding Charter, whether the EU, Russia, China and India will continue to trade and negotiate with a tyrannical and terrorist regime, and whether the UN membership comes together in solidarity of it’s founding principals to honor the words of President Bush to the Iranian people.

If the UN cannot see fit to honor the tenets of its founding by enforcing its Charter on members signatory to it, we in the Iranian opposition will briefly bow our heads in shame being witness to this, but only briefly as time is short, and our heads will rise looking only forward, as our feet continue to trod the path of freedom in process, whether the international community supports us or not. But whether this popular movement is successful, or crushed, depends now upon free nation's support for the aspirations of Iranian liberty.

It is self-evident that the international community cannot live with terrorists, nor terrorist regimes in its midst. There is but one solution to common security in larger freedom.

To prevent war and/or civil war, the Islamic regime must be disavowed by the UN as not legitimately representative of the People of Iran, and held accountable for its activities.

Nor can its newly unelected leader, self confessed to having fired coup de grace bullets into political prisoners after being tortured; under investigation for hostage taking and other murders outside of the territory of Iran; claim any “diplomatic immunity”, nor be afforded any claim by the regime under the rules of UN membership, nor be granted same by the UN, or host nation, if the investigation warrants prosecution.

We ask very simply that America, and every democratic member nation of the United Nations, and their representatives and leaders stand united with the Iranian people now. Not as diplomats or representatives neither of nations, nor even as members of the UN per se, but simply as Humans. For this, and the hope of liberty and justice is what binds all people, and the UN together in unity, under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the premise of the UN Charter.

Indeed, the Islamic Republic regime is engaged in terror, torture and atrocity on a daily basis, and this illegitimate regime dares to call itself Democratic, an advocate of human rights, and protector of the oppressed throughout the region. A cruel joke added onto the injury to our nation's pride and heritage, as reportedly the regime via a dam, will submerge the founder of Persia, Cyrus the Great’s tomb and the archeological sites of Pasargad and Persepolice under water.

The only way our people can regain our honor, civil liberties and the trust of the world for a WMD-free Iran that seeks to provide a safer future for the world and adheres to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is by providing us, the people of Iran, the support for our legitimate aspirations of liberty necessary to restore hope to the land that Cyrus the Great brought Democracy to over 2500 years ago.

Those ancient precepts regarding freedom of worship, individual right to own property, freedom from slavery, representative government in a democratic "federalist" government that respected the states rights to determine local laws so long as they were consistent with the inherent rights of the people, respecting territorial integrity in the process, have proven themselves over time and among many cultures. The UN has a replica of this vital document on display in the entrance lobby. It is as if to us, the regime intends to submerge the very tenets that civilization was founded upon, honored and recognized in the UN, on display. This is not just Persia’s heritage that is at stake, but mankind’s, and we hope that a resolution will be tabled and mandated to protect and preserve this historical legacy for future generations.

Sir,

With the firm unanimous voice of the UN, and the pressure that may be applied “in greater freedom” The UN may honor the precepts of its founding principals, and reform itself into an effective, cohesive, transparent instrument for the common good of all men and women. But if not starting with the “test case” the regime poses, where will, and when will, UN reform becomes manifest in action and intent, " being seized of the matter"? All reform must have some gage or measure to assess its merit; we propose this as a means to that end.

1. Implementation of full international economic and military sanctions on the Islamic Republic regime via UN Security Council resolution based on human rights, support for terrorism, and this to be tabled with or without IAEA board recommendation on the nuclear threat the theocracy poses. These two issues alone should be viewed as circumstance the world cannot turn it's back upon, at risk of civilization itself.

Such measures should include coordination with oil producing nations to ensure stable world supply while sanction persists, as well as the halting of any and all arms transfers to the Islamic Republic regime via the Proliferation Security Initiative.

2. Full diplomatic sanction and closing of Islamic republic’s embassies worldwide, removal and deportation of regime representatives, their agents and spies from all nations.
Diplomatic sanction by the UN, revocation of UN membership and removal of representation from this international forum till such time as a legitimate interim government can be established in Iran.

Note: We ask that concerns regarding lack of consular functions as a result of this action be cooperatively addressed, so as to continue to allow emergency visas to be issued. (i.e. family emergencies, etc.) It may be possible to retain the minimum consular functions, under tight supervision, but they are well known in their recruiting of, and issuing visa to potential martyrs and terrorists.

3. Freezing of any and all financial assets of the Islamic Republic system, current and former leadership, and corporate interests worldwide, till such time as a new interim government can be established.

As well as allocation of portions of these assets now to legitimate non-violent opposition groups inside and outside Iran, to provide the tangible support needed while civil disobedience becomes manifest in action. Only in this way can this action be self-sustaining till it succeeds. Poland couldn’t have become free without support, nor can we, as this is much to expect of a people under the boot of repression for over a generation.

4. Repeated statements by world leaders publicly calling for the leadership of the Islamic Republic regime to step down peacefully, and to relinquish the government to the hands and will of the Iranian people, and a UN mandated “direct” referendum to choose a legitimate, representative, secular government structure.

5. The coordinated post-regime rebuilding of vital social institutions and infrastructure of democracy should be implemented now in preparation, along with he training of judges, civil servants, police, etc. The Iranian exile community can provide some of the talent initially, and there are many more inside Iran supporting the opposition who will answer the call to service as the situation permits. This will speed up the post-regime stabilization process, and greatly enhance institutional development in the interim government, and constitutional process.

In addition, while SMCCDI does not speak for other groups in the opposition, we believe it is vital for our efforts to become coordinated in the formation of a working group among leaders of opposition groups, in conjunction with free nation's representatives to help facilitate and coordinate all of the above measures in a roundtable "Forum for the Future" of Iran.

The coordination of economic and military sanction, freezing of assets, closing of embassies, banishment from the UN General Assembly and other UN related institutions, such as UNESCO, and other non-violent measures as may be found worthy under international law will be overwhelming to the Islamic Republic of Iran, providing solid legitimate purpose and support among the people of Iran to effect change from within.

Mr. Ambassador,

We have striven in our legitimate aspirations for liberty for over two decades, and often frustrated as the pace of those aspirations seem to be like that of traveling on the back of a snail. The vast majority has therefore concluded that any real democratic reform though legitimate election or national referendum on the people's choice for a secular political structure in Iran cannot be possible so long as this evil ideological regime continues in power. Nor can the international community relegate terrorism to the dustbin of history while this regime remains in power.

While our aspirations include taking our future into our own hands, we are convinced after this long in a most pragmatic way, that those aspirations cannot be obtained in isolation or silence, we need the entire international community firmly by our people's side in word and deed if the agenda the US president has laid out for global freedom is to become manifest in Iran.

This noble endeavor in common cause does not require military intervention, nor do we ask for, or seek this in any form. The method of civil disobedience has a long history of painful success throughout history, and with international support will serve to liberate our people from tyranny and the world from the blind ambitions of the theocratic regime in a rather short period of time, if they are implemented in full now, and in a coordinated and simultaneous manner.

We in the opposition movement see the strong two-faced diplomacy the Islamic Republic regime is engaged in, that has not only caused nations to appease the regime with offers of economic incentive, but that has caused others to support their blind ambitions, through various means, including silence and abstention of action on Human Rights within the various mechanisms of the UN, sale and smuggling of arms and WMD technology, and economic trade.

We see the effects of this diplomacy and blatant propaganda on some members of the US Congress, various governments and international think tanks, as well as the IAEA. We see the confusion in policy that has been proposed by former members of various governments, as well the many cases in which the UN Commission on Human Rights failed in the past to be unanimous in their condemnation of the Islamic Republic regime’s human rights record and we strongly urge you and other free nation’s representatives to address their perceptions in this most grave and dangerous illusion of providing "political benefit of the doubt" that some members have apparently been following, as soon as possible.

We, the membership of the Iranian opposition, among all the various groups have no doubt of the regime’s intent, or continued activities as described and documented over a long period of time. There are no “rouge elements” of the regime involved in the transport of shaped munitions into Iraq, no “rogue elements” of the regime training martyrs for terrorism operations, recruiting them through public advertisement, no “rogue elements” committing crimes against humanity among our people. No “rouge elements” involved in WMD research and acquisition, smuggling or technological aspects. No “rogue element” harboring al-quaida. These are fully supported by, instructed by, and funded by the Islamic Republic of Iran in whole, not in part, nor independent of its appointed president’s knowledge, and done so by mandate of the Guardian Council.

Failure to address these grave issues now will be a dereliction of the UN’s founding mandate, and those member states that fail to recognize this must answer to history.

In conclusion Sir,

It would therefore be in our opinion (reflective of the 1503 procedures), criminally negligent for members of the UN Commission on Human Rights, and the UN Security Council to fail to act on the body of evidence regarding security issues and threats the IRI poses at this time to the international community and of systematic human rights abuse (in all aspects) by the Islamic Republic regime; due to "political considerations" within their respective nations who's Human Rights records are not the best, or economic factors in trade with the regime playing a part in debate, threat of veto, or abstention of moral responsibility.

It would be quite logical therefore were the UN to disavow any vote that was deemed "politically motivated" in the Security Council, calling for a two-thirds majority vote in the General Assembly to implement any resolution not achieved in SC decision, along with GA voting on ending any and all participation, membership and communication from the Islamic Republic regime (other than answering to charges brought), for the regime itself is in consistent and conscious violation of multiple aspects of the UN Charter, and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights that the UN is founded upon.

It is for these reasons described herein (as well as the fact that while Iran is an original signatory to the UN charter, the current regime flaunts the tenets and is not legitimately in an of itself, a signatory to it.), that we have suggested revocation of UN membership through the UN General Assembly by a two-thirds majority vote as may be done under the governing rules of the UN, until such time as a new interim government is established in its place which will re-ratify Iran’s adherence to the UN Charter and rejoin the family of nations in good standing.

Whereas: "a consistent pattern of gross and reliably attested violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms exists." in multiple source documentation independent of this letter.

Whereas: "communications may be submitted by individuals or groups who claim to be victims of human rights violations or who have direct, reliable knowledge of violations."

Whereas: "each communication must describe the facts, the purpose of the petition and the rights that have been violated." And we have striven to do so.

Whereas: "domestic remedies have been exhausted", and it is convincingly apparent that "solutions at the national level have been ineffective" - "over an unreasonable length of time."

We therefore respectfully ask that this letter also be taken in this context as such a petition to provide proper perspective to you, the Whitehouse, the UN member states, President of the General Assembly Ping as well as to Secretary General Annan on the issues we have addressed herein with the gravest concern for the welfare of humanity.

Regarding the security risk the regime poses to its citizens through its WMD programs and intent in acquiring this capability. We believe this too, constitutes a violation of our basic civil liberties (having no voice in the matter) and poses an unacceptable risk to the population of Iran and the region through potential and perhaps unavoidable catastrophic conflict, if the UN does not act accordingly to prevent further tragedy now.

With gratitude

On behalf of SMCCDI,


Aryo B. Pirouznia (Movement’s Coordinator)