The Iranian opposition laid out its demands today, threatening to go beyond street protests and support strikes, boycotts and civil resistance to achieve its goals.
The Coordination Council of the Green Path of Hope, which has been speaking for the Iranian opposition since its leaders were put under house arrest last week, issued its third announcement today, listing the Green Movement’s demands: the release of the opposition leaders, freedom of assembly and unhindered protests, the release of all political prisoners, freedom of the press and an end to censorship, an end to security and police rule in the country and, finally, open and legitimate elections.
The statement emphasizes that the two days of protest on February 14 and February 20 have established that the Green Movement is still very much alive, despite establishment claims to the contrary.
The Coordination Council warns that the peaceful nature of the protests should not be interpreted as weakness, and that further oppression will only lead to a greater rift between the people and the government.
In addition, the statement adds people who had doubted the "anti-religious and immoral nature of the government" prior to recent events are now refusing to collaborate further with the state.
Today a statement from the reformist parties’ youth branches also called for the release of the opposition leaders, announcing that street protests will resume on March 2 if their demands are not met.
There is grave concern for the well-being of opposition leaders MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who along with their wives have been cut off from the outside world for close to two weeks.
