The Political and Social Future of Iran?

With the recent election Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the new president of Iran, many critics are doubtful about the future of freedom and democracy. The former mayor of Tehran and civil engineer is widely seen as a conservative with Islamist and populist views. Many independent organizations have called on all like-minded groups to form an alliance against the 'new fascism' that has taken over the presidency.

In a letter written to the new president and two other key leaders, Amnesty International is urging the new government to launch a new program for human rights reform. In recent years Iran has been accused of being one of the most repressive countries in the world. Most recently the human rights community was outraged by the execution of two young men accused of asaulting a thirteen year old boy, one of whom was under age at the time of the assault. Many also believe that the two men were executed because of their perceived homosexuality.

The imprisonment of Mojtaba Saminejad, a blogger who was arrested for reporting the earlier arrest of three of his fellow Iranian bloggers, also questions the freedom of Iranians to openly criticize the government. Iran has arrested over 20 bloggers over the last year. Iranian bloggers who have been released have reported being the victims of torture. It is reported that Saminejad was placed in a prison that is notorious for its torture against its prisoners.

The lack of freedom of speech has long been an issue of complaint by progressive Iranians. Academic freedom is virtually none existant in the country's universities. Professors and students have been censored or expiled for expressing views about anything directly or indirectly related to challenging politics, religion or sex. Azar Nafisi, author of the bestselling book Reading Lolita in Tehran, quit her professorship at the University of Tehran because of the stringent restrictions, especially on women. Her book discusses the book group she formed with her brightest females students to discuss books that considered controversial and even dangerous to read within Iran's political climate.

Within Iran's Islamist system women's rights not is treated as a priority. Women and girls are still routinely checked in the streets if they are not wearing their hijab correctly or wearing makeup. Marjane Satrapi's graphic novels, Persepolis and Persepolis 2, give a vivid depiction of women's lives throughout Iran.

Dr. Ahmadinezhad's pre-election pledges have included fighting poverty and fighting for justice and against corruption and discrimination. For him to follow through is something to be seen.