Protesting Iran
July 25, 2009
Human rights organizations have set aside July 25 as a global day of action to show solidarity with Iranians who have been peacefully protesting last month's presidential elections, organizing demonstrations in cities across Europe and the United States.
Amnesty International, Reporters without Borders, Human Rights Watch and other NGOs have organized demonstrations in 80 cities from Seoul to London, including Berlin, Melbourne, Barcelona and Chicago.
Speaking with the German news agency dpa, Ruth Juettner, Amnesty International's Iran expert, said the organizations want to express their support for the people in Iran who are peacefully demonstrating for their rights.
In Germany, rallies have been organized in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne, among other places. The main demonstration in Berlin is set to take place at 13:00 CET at Potsdamer Platz. In the evening, a vigil is planned at the Brandenburg Gate.
According to Amnesty International's website, the organizers have no political agenda, but are just trying to bring attention to the human rights situation facing Iranian citizens. They ask all those taking part to wear black as a sign of solidarity.
At least 20 people were killed during the crackdown by Iranian security forces on demonstrators protesting June's election.
Vice presidential resignation
Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's pick for first vice president officially withdrew from the post after the country's supreme leader ordered Ahmadinejad to sack his deputy, the ISNA news agency reported Saturday.
"Following the order by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, I do not consider myself as first vice president anymore and will serve the people wherever else needed," Esfandiar Rahim Mashai said in a short statement carried by ISNA.
Media reports on Friday night said the supreme leader had rejected Ahmadinejad's pick and ordered him fired. Ahmadinejad appointed Rahim Mashai last week as first vice president, making him de-facto acting president until Ahmadinejad's inauguration early next month.
While Ahmadinejad needs parliamentary approval for his ministers, he is free to select his vice presidents. According to the constitution, however, the supreme leader has the final say on all state affairs and can veto executive and legislative decisions.
This is the second time in five weeks that Khamenei, who had put his stamp of approval on Ahmadinejad's re-election, openly voiced criticism of the president.
mrm/dpa/AFP/AP
Editor: Kyle James