By Banooye Sabz
June 11, 2013
June 10th, 2013 – [Kaleme - Haniyeh Rezaii] In an interview with Kaleme opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi’s daughter Zahra Mousavi denounces the continued pressure and restrictions imposed upon her family, discusses Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard’s position on the upcoming presidential elections, while once again expressing concern regarding the physical well being of her parents.
The full content of Zahra Mousavi’s interview with Kaleme is as follows:
When was the last time you heard from your parents? Do you have any update on their current condition?
One of my sisters was recently allowed a very short visit with our parents. If we take this past visit into account, in the past 7 months two of us have been allowed one visitation and the third sister two visitations with our parents. As you can see our visitation rights continue to be restricted and we continue to grapple with the pressure imposed upon us by the security apparatus in Iran. We are also deprived of all phone calls. They won’t even grant us the basic rights afforded to all prisoners under the law. On the rare occasion that we have been granted visitation, it has been impossible to visit with our parents in a peaceful environment given the commotion associated with the unannounced and unexpected visitations, the extreme psychological pressure exerted on us and on our parents, the heavy presence of security officers and the watchful eyes of the security cameras. Given the restricted nature of the visitations we generally have little time for extensive conversations, other than greetings and a brief dialogue about our lives. As a result we don’t have detailed information on their condition and well being. It is difficult to have a real conversation both for them and for us.
In your opinion, how are your parents enduring their house arrest?
Our parents are political figures. Their life together has always been a combination of a normal and loving existence intertwined with their political activities. The ramifications of having a politically active life in countries with similar condition such as ours are apparent to all. As a result, despite the fact that the level of corruption and injustice far exceeds what they could have imagined, our parents were nevertheless always mentally prepared for the potential consequences of their political activism. Though they have always been in great spirits and their faith has only strengthened as a result of the difficulties over the years, their physical condition has however seriously deteriorated and this is one of our greatest concerns. We have endured the pain and anxiety of separation, the lack of news regarding our parents and the complex and cruel nature of the interactions with the security apparatus, but their physical condition is concerning to say the least.
Can you please expand upon this last point? What exact physical ailments are your parents suffering from?
My mother’s blood sugar has increased and the arthritis in her hands and shoulders is much more prominent. She is in pain and yet nothing has been done regarding her medical condition. My father was also supposed to go for a check up with the doctors who preformed his cardiac stent operation in May, but the security agents announced that they will take him to a hospital of their choice. When my father went for his first check up and stress test to this hospital affiliated with the security apparatus, as a result of an apparent collusion between the security agents and the physicians, they did not shut off the stress test machine despite the fact that my father was not feeling well and the stress test was positive. Given the circumstances of his last visit, my father did not feel comfortable putting his life in the hands of the aforementioned physicians and facility and did not agree to continue treatment there. As a result, he has been unable to complete his medical treatment. They are however providing him with the medicine that was prescribed by his former physician. Despite our continued insistence to review his medical files we continue to be deprived of access to his files.
Are the conditions imposed upon you and your parents related to the upcoming elections and as a result of the crisis that has engulfed the nation?
The conditions imposed upon our parents have become harsher as we approach the elections and our communication with them has been even further restricted. They are being treated by physicians that are not trusted by the family. They [the ruling establishment] are fearful that father may find an outlet and say something to the nation that may lead to any change. We see no other reason for the increased restrictions.
In recent weeks there have been many rumors about Mir Hossein Mousavi’s stance regarding the upcoming elections. Did your parents make any statements regarding the elections during the two short visits you had with them?
Our parents did not make any specific recommendations to us. With regards to whether or not we would participate in the elections, they neither expressed their opinion, nor did they expect us to explain anything. They did mention in the last two brief visits however, that under the current restrictive security measures imposed upon them, they are not privy to the details of the circumstances of our society and as a result will refrain from speaking about the elections.
Do you believe that the situation will continue as is, or will there be any changes?
We are always hopeful. Our parents are also hopeful that not only their circumstances, but the circumstances of all prisoners will change. This situation cannot continue for ever and this crisis will continue to manifest itself in some form or other and it cannot be denied. Even though some may be afraid to utter our parents’ names as a result of the heavy security atmosphere engulfing the nation, they may instead dare to speak of their address. Even if people may be fearful of referring to this continued illegal detention, I still believe that their circumstances are relative, in other words they will evolve in relation to the circumstances and changes taking place in the country. It is very difficult to make exact predictions in Iran. God willing we are hopeful that all political prisoners behind bars will be released so that this great crisis facing our nation can be resolved and peace and tranquility can once again reign.
As Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard’s family members what are your demands when it comes to their current circumstances?
When our parents were arrested our initial demand was the right to see them. The repeated insults and pressure each time we went to the prison at Akhtar street and demanded to see our parents but returned home empty handed had a heavy toll on the family. We were shocked when observing the tragic and heinous scenes and took refuge in our homes. Today, however, our one and only demand is the immediate and unconditional release of our parents from prison. They have been treated unjustly and imprisoned because they love their people and only want what is best for their country. They have been deprived of their basic human rights. They have even been deprived of the same laws protecting all prisoners, despite the challenges associated with those laws. While detained and isolated from the outside world, they have been unfairly accused of false charges. They have put the most nationalistic , sympathetic and compassionate citizens of our country who are devoted to our nation in the hands of the most brutal segments of the IRGC and the security apparatus, accusing them of the most bizarre and unbelievable charges such as association with foreign powers and inciting unrest and upheaval; an accusation that they themselves know not to be true and is viewed as false by the nation at large. We are their children an remain loyal to our parents while believing in the path they have chosen. We know what our rights are and are fully aware of the rights of our parents. We realize that we should be allowed to have normal visitation rights with them and under the circumstances are extremely concerned and demand an immediate end to the current circumstances.
What are your expectations from the people, your supporters, friends and activists?
Our parents did not turn their back on justice. They responded to the trust and affection bestowed upon them by the Iranian nation in an ethical and compassionate manner. We are confident that the people will not abandon them. We are confident that they will respond to our parents’ promise and covenant by providing their support and being mindful of their sensitive and critical circumstances. It is both this tangible and intangible presence that has helped keep our parents safe during these perilous circumstances.
Source: Kaleme - http://www.kaleme.org/1392/03/20/klm-146970/
Banouye Sabz
http://banouyesabz.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/mir-hossein-mousavi-and-zahra-rahnavards-position-on-the-upcoming-presidential-elections-as-described-by-their-daughter-zahra/
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