Mostafa Izadi
The news has it that Emadeddin Baghi, the head of the Association for Defending Prisoners’ Rights and a prolific writer in the fields of politics and religion has been imprisoned to serve a previous one-year sentence. Baghi has had such experiences for years and if it wasn’t for his prison visits he would not be as aware of what happens in those wards and cells.
There are still many aspiring elites who, even during the oppressive monarchic era, did not see and do not know what prison is and what these four walls do with a prisoner. But Baghi in the past and present has seen, tasted, and knows. Hence, it was incumbent upon him both to set up an association in defense of prisoners (all prisoners) and bring together compassionate people to defend defenseless people, himself taking the helm of the organization.
Baghi is not a rowdy and noisy person, but has a pen for which he pays high costs. The reality is that some see decency in not hesitating in stating what they consider to be right. A critical disposition, particularly when under in its light people’s problems are relayed to authorities or public opinion, is among divine blessings. The ability to critique, particularly against powerful elements, requires courage. A courageous mindset is one of God’s best blessings. What should be done when these qualities are embedded in a commitment based on faith and religious honor?
Should these divine blessings be suppressed or left silent? Does any free-spirited individual, or a religious or intelligent one, accept that because the expression of this courageous and critical mindset has costs, it should not be put to work? Isn’t it [true] that every Muslim for the sake of placing value on Divine blessings should fortify his or her courageous mindset? And isn’t [true] that each Muslim based on the injunction to propagate virtue and avoid vice is obligated not to back away even slightly from this critical and courageous disposition? Furthermore, everywhere everyone insists on the necessity of criticism to exist. Of course, it is entirely clear that those facing criticism, particularly when they have the instruments and tools for confronting the critic, interpret criticism as weakening and do what they have done with Baghi. Right now I am not sitting in a court house to say on what basis Emadeddin Baghi’s conviction and imprisonment has been issued but with the close familiarity that I have with this dear accused [I will state that] I do not consider him to be one who would like to spend his fine disposition in the weakening and destruction of a phenomenon such as an Islamic order.
These slogans in defense of prisoners, defense of human rights, and also his interpretations of other value-based concepts are neither to gain power nor for overthrow; rather the intent is to reform which is one of the most sacred of intents.
Let us assume that Baghi, not for one but ten years, goes among those for whose improved conditions an association has been created. What will be lessened from Baghi and what will be added to those who oppose him?
The world knows that Baghi and those who think like him are neither criminal nor a burden to society, requiring them to be taken away and placed in fetters so that they no longer commit a crime. Rather, he and those who think like him are critics and object to the existing conducts in the running of the society. They are also endowed with literacy and an objecting pen. Isn’t it better to deal with him and those like him in a different way? It takes an open mind, clear heart, and humility to hear and think about words such as those uttered by Baghi and, if the thinking is that he is mistaken, to sit in discussion with him. This way there is no need for confinement, and no utility for branding or banners. Most importantly, [there will be] no horn blown, with thousand and one calumnies, in the international media, particularly in the opposition and enemy media, against our system and the men in charge of our country.
link: E’temad-e Melli
Thursday, October 18, 2007
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