Iran's government has announced plans to publish the names of protesters who have been killed during recent demonstrations, a move aimed at quelling accusations that mass killings took place under the guise of suppressing dissent. The plan, while seen as a positive step by some reformists, is unlikely to satisfy everyone given the long history of distrust between the state and society.
Critics argue that the government's move will not be transparent enough and could even fuel further controversy. Mohsen Borhani, a law professor at Tehran University, believes that creating an independent website to announce the names of those killed would provide more assurance. However, there are concerns about the risk faced by families who identify their loved ones as victims, as they may still face retribution.
The scale of the human toll is staggering, with estimates ranging from 30,000 to tens of thousands of deaths. Many believe that the official death toll, which stands at around 3,117, is far too low and does not reflect the true extent of the violence.
Iranian reformists have called for an independent committee to investigate this "unprecedented disaster" and produce a transparent report on the events. They argue that it's essential to address the deep-seated distrust between the state and society by building a stronger civil society.
Former president Hassan Rouhani has also weighed in, stating that the recent protests demonstrate the need for significant change within Iran's political system. He called for the formation of new parties and an end to electoral filtering.
Separately, an unofficial committee has been set up to identify all those still detained following the crackdown on protests. The exact number of detainees is unknown, but it's believed to be in the tens of thousands.
One concerning aspect is that many children under 18 are being held, with some families having lost their breadwinners and facing significant financial hardship. Initial sentences issued have been relatively lenient, with two to five years on the table, but the reality for those arrested may be more severe due to their precarious economic situation.
Ultimately, the road ahead will depend on how effectively the government can address these issues and build trust between itself and its citizens.
Critics argue that the government's move will not be transparent enough and could even fuel further controversy. Mohsen Borhani, a law professor at Tehran University, believes that creating an independent website to announce the names of those killed would provide more assurance. However, there are concerns about the risk faced by families who identify their loved ones as victims, as they may still face retribution.
The scale of the human toll is staggering, with estimates ranging from 30,000 to tens of thousands of deaths. Many believe that the official death toll, which stands at around 3,117, is far too low and does not reflect the true extent of the violence.
Iranian reformists have called for an independent committee to investigate this "unprecedented disaster" and produce a transparent report on the events. They argue that it's essential to address the deep-seated distrust between the state and society by building a stronger civil society.
Former president Hassan Rouhani has also weighed in, stating that the recent protests demonstrate the need for significant change within Iran's political system. He called for the formation of new parties and an end to electoral filtering.
Separately, an unofficial committee has been set up to identify all those still detained following the crackdown on protests. The exact number of detainees is unknown, but it's believed to be in the tens of thousands.
One concerning aspect is that many children under 18 are being held, with some families having lost their breadwinners and facing significant financial hardship. Initial sentences issued have been relatively lenient, with two to five years on the table, but the reality for those arrested may be more severe due to their precarious economic situation.
Ultimately, the road ahead will depend on how effectively the government can address these issues and build trust between itself and its citizens.