	The B'nai Brith Canada Institute for International Affairs has a mandate to protest the abuse of human rights throughout the world and advocate on behalf of worldwide Jewish communities in distress. The Institute has a special focus on pro-Israel advocacy and education.
Rochelle Wilner President	Frank Dimant Chief Executive Officer	Amos Sochaczevski National Chair	Ruth Klein National Director

There is no greater mitzvah than Redemption of Captives
Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Hilchot Matanot Ani’im, Chapter 8, Article 10

Iran Update 31

June 14, 2001

Toronto, June 14, 2001… The re-election of Mohammad Khatami as president of Iran is being hailed as a major victory that will put the country on the road to true democracy. However, there are concerns that this event, rather than being a catalyst for tangible change, might instead be an indication of political instability within Iran. This instability, in turn, could further increase the vulnerability of minority communities. The Jewish community is typically at risk during times of political turmoil and its current position, given the Mideast crisis, is already tenuous.

According to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA, June 10, 2001), the Jewish community issued a public statement in support of Khatami: “The Iranian Jewish community has massively turned out in the lively presidential elections and share the Iranians’ happiness… We wish you [Khatami] and your colleagues success in the efforts you have made in instilling a religious democratic system in the Islamic Republic.”

Media reports have credited Khatami with receiving 77% of the votes, a total of 21,656,476 out of the 28,159,289 who voted, but these figures do not tell the whole story. The Foundation for Democracy in Iran reported that a poll taken just weeks before the presidential election by Entekhab.net showed that nearly 30% of the 14,863 respondents planned to boycott the election. In fact, the turnout was approximately one million less than in 1997, although the electorate has increased by five million. In addition, one-third of the potential voters - 14 million people - failed to exercise their right to vote, while there were reportedly half a million spoiled protest ballots. These factors point to a number of competing political ideologies at odds with the regime in general. The wider picture thus demonstrates that Khatami received closer to 51% of the overall electorate, which gives him a less impressive support base than he 77% widely reported.

Hopes for an easing of restrictions on the democratic process are therefore premature. On the one hand, Khatami’s win has certainly reinforced a trend in Iran towards moderation and reform. On the other hand, the election results have no doubt increased pressure on the hardline faction to act swiftly to demonstrate its power, as it was able to do during the last presidential term. In spite of President Khatami’s stated commitment to reform, the wishes of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei still reign supreme and he retains tight control on key aspects of government and society such as the security forces, the judiciary and the media. More ominously, a recent Friday sermon by Khamenei broadcast by the state media described Jews as “dangerous” elements because of their contacts with the outside world, their “control” of the economy and - a surprising criticism - their preoccupation with education.

In this atmosphere of political instability, the beleaguered Jewish community and the nine prisoners still serving prison sentences face considerable uncertainty. Several of the prisoners have already served one-third of their sentences and thus could be eligible for parole, and yet there is little indication that the authorities plan to exercise that option in the near future. It is still crucial to monitor the conditions of the prisoners and to press for their early release lest they become hostages to increasing dissension and turmoil within both government and society.

Index of Press Releases & Updates - 13 Iranian Jewish Captives

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