Within the past two weeks, following the rightful objection of the Iranian people in regard to ever-increasing government pressures, a new wave of repression and suppression has begun inside Iran.

As part of an interview with the TV program Kooleh Poshty on July 24th, in an emphasized and detailed account Mr. Saeed Mortazavi names every group and individual targeted by the new wave of government violence and murder in Iran.

In these comments, he clearly outlines groups allegedly violating official Islamic laws and speaks in detail about various forms of dress, makeup, and hairstyle deemed unacceptable and unforgivable. Meanwhile, so as to cover the poison of his violent threats, Mr. Mortazavi considers that in the event the guilty party is not aware of the meaning and message of his/her appearance, he/she will not be punished upon the first arrest and instead receive warning and guidance. Apparently during his discussion Mr. Mortazavi does not refer at any point to images and repeated reports of the method of punishment utilized by the authorities to deal with those they consider guilty of so-called immoral offences.

Considering the circumstances in which respect for the rule of law and people’s fundamental rights is the least matter of concern for the judicial system, a situation where as soon as an individual is targeted he/she is dealt with in a brutal and violent manner, for the purpose of intimidation verbally and physically attacked, and in many cases before the accused has been able to respond to the accusation(s) against him/her all that remains of them is a bloodied and battered body - Mr. Mortazavi’s words cannot warm the hearts and inspire confidence among listeners.

During the course of this interview, Mr. Mortazavi intentionally and incorrectly makes five references to the term “hamjensbaz” [Sodomy] rather than the correct term ‘homosexual’. By relying on an incorrect translation of the phrase “I am object” as seen on a shirt worn by a young man, the homosexual community in Iran has been subjected to intense punishment.

The Iranian Queer Organization (IRQO) condemns the continued violation of human rights committed by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran using every method of violence and pressure against all sectors of society, in particular Iranian sexual minorities, and asks all individuals and organizations active in the realm of human rights to engage in legal intervention for the purpose of decriminalizing homosexuality.

Taking into account the revelations that have come out of the dark and deadly history of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is not unthinkable that Mr. Saeed Mortazavi, the well known face of its Judicial power and a man accused of countless deaths including that of Zahra Kazemi, puts his utmost efforts on the translation and analysis of hair styles and written words on the garments
of the defiant and repressed young generation while insecurity, injustice, unemployment , corruption and ever-increasing lack of individual and civil liberties have jeopardized the life of the society.

Unfortunately, most of the time such manic comments and behavior become the initial flames that fuel a new cycle of violence, murder, and violation of people’s rights.

Everyone has heard news of the recent executions and it is possible to consistently follow the story of the continuation of these killings via any free news outlet. According to internal and unverified reports, it is anticipated that in this phase of suppression and repression about three
hundred individuals will be executed for chimerical crimes.

No matter where we are, it is up to all of us to raise our voices in protest against the savage acts committed by this regime and put pressure on international human rights organizations to stop this wave of violence and killing.

--- Transcript of an interview about homosexuality with the General and
Revolutionary Prosecutor of Tehran Saeed Mortazavi, on the television program
Kooleh Poshty from channel 3 of the Islamic Republic of Iran's TV network
(IRIB):  http://www.irqo.net/IRQO/English/pages/076.htm

Farsi Version:  http://www.irqo.net/IRQO/Persian/pages/053.htm