Prominent Iranian poet and women’s rights defender Simin Behbahani has sent a message to Iranian authorities. In her message, which was made available to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Behbahani has asked the Iranian authorities to reconsider their approach and to prevent unfolding social catastrophes in Iran. Behbahani says in her message that “even history is embarrassed to record the post-elections events.”

“Bad decisions cause problems. I think since last 12 June, 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 so terrible, I can’t remember any worse than this. I hope there is reconsideration among those who are in power inside the government about these actions and the types of actions which are being implemented these days. I hope they choose a better way and prevent these catastrophes. On 12 June, 2009, people thought they had found freedom; they thought they could vote freely; they thought they could give themselves hope that they were not held back and that they could 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.”

In the end, Simin Behbahani recited a poem she has written on this occasion, which you can access below.
Her full audio message in available on the Campaign’s Persian website and can be heard at: http://persian.iranhumanrights.org/1389/03/simin_behbahani/