Iran Update
Volume: 1 - Issue:  14 18 March 2010
Iran Update
Dear Friend,

We are delighted to present you with the current issue of Iran Update, a publication of International Solidarity for Democratic Change in Iran (ISDCI).  
 
Iran Update endeavours to report on topics related to the movement for democracy, human rights, and freedom in Iran on a regular basis. We invite you to subscribe your friends to this newsletter and contribute articles or ideas related to our work.
 
Iraq election: a defeat for Iran regime
Frontpage Magazine
Ryan Mauro
18 March 2010
On March 7, 62% of Iraqis turned out to vote in their national elections. They did so despite an increase in violence, sectarian tension, and concern about fraud. The preliminary results show that Iran's covert effort to manipulate the election has failed, and the country is drifting towards cross-sectarian, secular nationalism.
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Majority in U.S. House calls for protection of Camp Ashraf residents 
PR Newswire
18 March 2010
U.S. Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, were joined yesterday by ten of their colleagues, including three from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a press conference to announce the support by a bi-partisan House majority for the humanitarian rights and protection of residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq.
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Obama says U.S. to pursue aggressive Iran sanctions 
Reuters
17 March 2010

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday the United States would pursue "aggressive sanctions" to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon that could potentially spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
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Video compilation of Chahrshanbeh Souri ('Fire Festival') 
ISDCI
17 March 2010
The You Tube channel of Simay Azadi has put together an extensive compilation of video clips received from its extensive network of reporters in many cities in Iran. You can view the videos at your convenience at the link below. 
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Defiant Iranians celebrate Festival Of Fire despite ban 
RFE/RL
17 March 2010
Iranians last night openly challenged Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by taking to the streets for the traditional Festival of Fire, which Khamenei had said has no religious basis and should not be celebrated.

Many people took to the streets and marked "Chaharshanbeh Suri" by leaping over bonfires, setting off firecrackers, and dancing. But some also chanted antigovernment slogans, including "Death to the dictator!"

Eyewitnesses told RFE/RL that there were tight security measures in the capital, where many police officers had been deployed in main squares and streets.
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Updates on the Feast of Fire celebration and the Iranian people's protests against the regime 
Family Security Matters
The Editors
17 March 2010
As the Iranian people get ready to celebrate the annual ritual of the Feast of Fire (background information here), the regime is stepping up its efforts to suppress dissent. Below are a number of examples of their ham-fisted attempts to deny the people their voice.
 
Suppressive forces clash with young people in Azadi Square
 
At 8:30 a.m. local time today (Tuesday, March 16th), the young people confronted the State Security Forces (SSF) on the eastern side of Azadi Square by throwing stones.
 
Monday evening, the SSF agents removed several large posters of the regime's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei from Azadi Square and Arya Shahr in fear of the young people to set fire to them. Groups of suppressive forces are stationed throughout Azadi Street.
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Source: Torture not hacking led to the Iranian regime's takedown of opposition website 
The Tech Herald
Steve Ragan
16 March 2010

It was about 7:30 p.m. EST when our cell phone used for security news rang. On the line was Ahmad-Batbi, a spokesman for HRA-Iran.org. His side of the story relating to the events that resulted in the IRGC led shutdown of 29 websites shocked us. The IRGC said they hacked the sites to take them down, but he said the 30 people arrested were tortured for their access.
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Iran's uprising prospects after February 11: escalation or decline? 
Huffington Post
Ali Safavi
15 March 2010
On the eve of Chaharchanbeh Souri (Festival of Fire), on the last Tuesday of the Iranian year, which is another occasion for the Iranian people to vent their anger at the regime and express the yearning for change, a review of what happened on the anniversary of the anti-Monarchic revolution on February 11 might offer some insights as to what to expect next as far as the post-June uprisings in Iran is concerned...
 
Despite defying the regime's unprecedented show of force, however, demonstrators are looking for genuine leadership and organization.[16] Indeed, in a situation where society has reached an explosive state and the regime is on the brink, the primary issue revolves around what the alternative force and who the leadership are. These determine the strategic path the uprising will ultimately take. In the present circumstances, on the whole, there are only two general paths available. One is to preserve and reform the current regime from within; the other is to overthrow the regime in its totality in favor of democratic change.
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Thank you for your readership. We welcome your comments. 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
ISDCI News Group
In This Issue
Iraq election: a defeat for Iran...regime
Majority in U.S. House calls for protection of Camp Ashraf residents
Obama says U.S. to pursue aggressive Iran sanctions
Video compilation of Chahrshanbeh Souri
Defiant Iranians celebrate Festival Of Fire despite ban
Updates on the Feast of Fire celebration
Source: Torture not hacking led to the Iranian regime's
Iran's uprising prospects after February 11: escalation or decline?
Quick Links
 
 
 
Memorial Services for Marzieh's Daughter
With utmost regret, we were informed of  the passing away of Ms. Hengameh Amini, the beloved daughter of the Diva of Iranian music, Marzieh.
Hengameh Amini died in a Paris hospital after a long fight with cancer. Ms. Amini was repeatedly harassed and arrested by the Iranian regime's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, after her mother joined the ranks of the National Council of Resistance of Iran 16 years ago.
Memorial services will be held at the historic church of Auvers sur Oise, France today with Iranian cultural and political personalities in attendance.