Iran: New Green Movement Manifesto Released

Geneive Abdo released the “New Green Movement Manifesto” authored by Iranian  intellectuals, who are the leaders of the Green Movement in Tehran.  It was released today in the Iran Primer by the United States Institute of Peace.  The manifesto outlined suggestions for future actions, inspirations and the organization of Iran’s Green Movement.

The authors recommended the formation of a Green Council led by about ten “leading and known” political and intellectual leaders.  Since the former opposition leaders are under house arrest and have reported health concerns, these leaders would assume the responsibility of Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi by participating in elections, gaining popular legitimacy within Iran and increasing resistance against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei and his followers.  The manifesto reads, “This council, during the absence of these two men, would (a) establish the goals of the Green Movement; (b) coordinate forms of protest and demonstrations; (c) propagate the goals and actions of the Green Movement and propaganda against the coup regime.” In addition, the manifesto emphasized the importance of spreading support  and organizing various “cells” of the Green Movement across the country.

The manifesto also outlined the goals of the Green Movement including, an end to exploitative wages for the working and lower classes, trade unions protected by law, and improvements in living standards and economic well-being.  In addition, the manifesto emphasized the importance of cultural and ethnic autonomy, equal rights for women and an end to the abuse of religion by political opportunists.  ”The point needs to be made consistently that, given the certainty of the eventual victory of the Greens, there will be a policy of forgive but not forget.”