The Iran Charter for Citizens' Rights

 

The charter, which was among President Rouhani's campaign pledges four years ago, aims to set out the "most important citizens' rights" and the direction of government policy. The signatories — 20 independent trade union and civil organisations, including the Association of Victims' Families of Flight PS752 — believe Iranian society has the necessary resources to achieve significant social and economic changes — such as freedom of expression, equal opportunities for women and the LGBTQ+ community, better working conditions, jobs security, an end to discrimination, corruption, and oppression — that would allow Iran to move forward.

They call for cooperation with national and international institutions to investigate gross violations of citizens' rights, ending impunity and rebuilding the judicial system to be free of political interference, nepotism, and favoritism. The charter also calls for a public education plan to familiarize students with citizens' rights concepts.

Moreover, the charter states that all temporary detainees and convicts have the right to return to an honorable life once their prison terms are over (article 3.17). It also calls for respecting parents' freedom to bring up children according to their mazhab and religion and prohibits any state control or interference in this matter (article 3.24).

Article 5.16 guarantees ایران چارتر the right of all citizens to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief. However, the wording is vague and could be interpreted as allowing religious authorities to restrict or even ban the dissemination of ideas that contradict their interpretation of Islam. This is especially worrying given the Iranian regime's track record of restricting freedom of expression and association.

Furthermore, the charter states that all citizens have the right to a free and independent press, with full coverage of all domestic issues without any restrictions or limitations (article 3.16) and with a focus on social justice and the protection of citizens' rights. It also demands that the state support the formation of a new media structure, including a national media and an online news website, and ensure free and independent broadcasting.

The charter also mentions the need to establish a democratic and inclusive economy that ensures the right of every citizen to an adequate standard of living, with special attention to vulnerable groups such as women, the elderly, disabled, and minorities. It urges the Iranian establishment to develop policies to achieve these goals, such as by implementing tax reforms and cutting down on the size of bureaucracy and red tape.

The signing of the charter is a significant step for the opposition movement inside and outside Iran. However, it will be difficult to implement its goals unless the Iranian regime changes course. The signatories acknowledge that this will require international pressure on the Islamic Republic to halt executions, expulsion of its ambassadors by democracies, and recognizing a united opposition alliance led by a figure who can unify the fragmented dissident community.