Bill Clinton Pledges Support for Protesters in Iran
Former US President Bill Clinton pledged his support for protesters in Iran on Tuesday, November 15, and called on the Islamic Republic to release all political detainees.
In a video statement posted on Twitter, Clinton urged the Iranian regime to “immediately stop the abduction of protesters and release all political prisoners, many of whom require urgent care and many more whose whereabouts are unknown.”
“To the people of Iran: The world is witnessing your courage, and we will stand with you for as long as it takes to achieve your freedom”, Clinton said.
A protester has been sentenced to death and at least 20 more are currently facing charges punishable by death for taking part in the protests that have engulfed the country, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights, organization. The protests against Iran’s clerical establishment erupted in September after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the country’s dress code for women, died in police custody.
Earlier in November, 272 of Iran’s 290 lawmakers voted to implement the death penalty for serious crimes against the state, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. Credit: Bill Clinton via Storyful
Video Transcript
BILL CLINTON: I've been in awe of the courage the Iranian people have shown, particularly the brave women and girls, as they fight for their freedom. This fight is about more than a head scarf. It's a fight for basic rights, the right to speak and to assemble freely, the right to appear unveiled, the right for equality before the courts of law, the right to realize the dreams you hold so dearly for themselves and their children, the right to a future they can chart.
I join calls from all across the international community for the Islamic Republic to immediately stop the abduction of the protesters and to release all political prisoners, many of whom require urgent care, and many more whose whereabouts are unknown.
To the people of Iran, the world is witnessing your courage. And we will stand with you for as long as it takes to achieve your freedom. To the international community, the Iranian people need us. They want to be part of our global community. Iranians are educated, highly industrious, creative, and sophisticated. They want normal relations with the West. And they deserve our support.
