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March 12, 2010

Wife of the 2009 presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi has stated that if any act of aggression is carried out on 16 March celebrations, it will have come from the “authorities.”

In an interview conducted yesterday with the Kaleme website, Rahnavard said that thanks to the new Iranian year (Nowrouz), the Green Movement will be jubilant and full of pride.

Zahra Rahnavard said that “we will remember the Nedas, Sohrabs, Seyed Alis, Ashkans and Rouholamins and we will refrain from any kind of extremism or violence.” Rahnavard was referring to the names of those killed in the post-election clampdowns on protesters.

Many will see this as a clear invitation to use the New Year celebrations to protests the rigged presidential election of 12 June 2009.

She stated that even if any violence does take place during the celebrations, “know, that it will have come from the authorities.”

Iranian authorities are becoming increasingly fearful about the celebrations prior to the new Iranian year called Chaharshanbe Souri which this year will be held on 16 March.

Referring to Ahmadinejad and his government, the former war-time prime minister’s wife stated that “the structure of this government’s thinking is backward and violence seeking.” She also linked the current administration to the “chain killings” of the 90s.

“I believe this government pressures the Majlis [Parliament] to pass anti-women bills,” she said, while dismissing claims that Ahmadinejad’s government was in any way in favour of women and their rights.

Zahra Rahnavard who is also a university professor in Iran reiterated her previous statement about not recognising the Iranian government and that she would never reconcile with them. “I echoed the people’s word, as a member of the Green Movement and a supporter and companion of the people who were never prepared to retreat.”

In addition, she also stated that many of the demands of the Green Movement and the women’s movement were essentially the same while referring to an interview by her husband months ago in which he said “We are friends with the women’s movement and friendship is synonymous with companionship.”

Rahnavard, a long time artist also expressed concern that her works of art had become the target of the supporters of the government, but said that “when people are martyred for asking for freedom,” not much could be expected from authorities.

In the end, when asked what she predicted for the Green Movement, Zahra Rahnavard firmly stated that “if we stay steadfast, victory will definitely be ours.”