Prominent Iranian poet and women’s rights defender Simin Behbahani has sent a message to Iranian authorities.  In her message, made available to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Behbahani asked Iranian authorities to reconsider their approach to dissent and to prevent the social disaster in progress in Iran. Behbahani says that even history is embarrassed about post-election events.

“Mistakes in decisions cause problems. I think since last June 12, whatever has happened has been a mistake and these mistakes have led to more mistakes, sadness, clashes, murders, abuse and killings, turning the country into a condition the worse of which I cannot remember. I hope there is reconsideration among those in power inside the government about actions that have taken place and are being implemented these days. I hope they choose a better way and prevent these catastrophes. All through the past year since June 12, 2009, people thought they had found freedom; they thought they can vote freely; they thought they could give themselves hope that they are not backwards and that they can manage the country well. A lot of things happened between last year and this year which would embarrass history from recording them. I hope we can end this condition as soon as possible.”