Mousavi slams Basij forces

The statement was published on Mousavi’s official website Kaleme on the anniversary of the foundation of the Basij forces. The Basij played a pivotal role in defending the country against foreign occupation during Iran’s 8 year war with Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and became the symbol of resistance and freedom across Iran.

In the statement Mousavi warns the Basij not to turn into a “suppressive machine” that “breaks the hands and legs of its brothers and sisters” and urged for Basij to remain faithful to the values and goals set for it 30 years ago by the late Imam Khomeini the founder of the Islamic Revolution.

The statement cites Imam Khomeini who once famously said that “a country with 20 million youth must have 20 million Basij members.” “How can such a goal be realised if the Basij belongs to a particular taste, way of thinking, grouping or class?” Mousavi asked.

Mousavi addressed the new generation of Basijis who were “beating, arresting, torturing and even murdering people whose only crime was to invite to justice” and asked them to side with those who are telling the truth in the current political turmoil in the country and not to stand against the population.

He also cautioned the Basij forces against becoming a tool at the hands of the rulers for tightening their grip on power. “The Basij was not meant to be on the payroll of the government and to get paid in return for arresting people in gatherings. Alas, if the Basij were to descend to the level of a political party. This is not what Imam [Khomeini] had in mind for Basijis. The Basij was not meant to turn into a machine for taking away the freedom to choose and to vote from the people.”

The Basij forces were actively involved in suppressing the population following the 12 June elections which sparked the unrest. The crackdowns resulted in the arrest, torture and death of many Iranians following the election.

Mousavi also warned against the consequences of inciting “fear” into the population which might put the national security of the country in jeopardy and pave the way for foreign powers to have their way in Iran. “Will the war toys protect the country’s sovereignty under such circumstances?” asked Mousavi, referring to the excessive militarisation that has been taking place among the country’s security forces.

“Look at our two neighbouring countries [Iraq and Afghanistan] which are under foreign occupation. In both countries, the population became fearful [by their own leaders].”

In the end Mousavi called on the Iranian people not to give in to the campaign of terror and to stand strong until the full implementation of the constitution.