In an
interview with radio Asre Jadid, Banisadr argued that the freedom of expression
must be absolute. This is not to say that accusations, insults and fabrications
are not exercised under the pretext of freedom of expression. However, he said
that if we want to argue there should be a limit to the freedom of expression,
then this must be policed. The state is the institution which we assign to do
the policing and given the nature of its power, it will try to do away with any
freedom of expression which is considered a threat to the power of state (like
Iran’s regime). So, not only there should not be any limit to the freedom of
expression; furthermore, one has to use occasions when accusations, lies and
fabrications are made as opportunities for critiquing this limitation. Banisadr
said that he has discussed this in detail in his book (The Foundations of
Democracy).
He also added that the reaction to insulting the prophet can never be violent and terroristic, which is a pure crime. The Koran explicitly states that the best of the people are those who listen to different opinions and choose the best. The criminals who are committing such crimes should know the Koran is explicit in stating that when faced with insult, one should only walk away from it with dignity (Chapter Al-Forqan, verse: “..., and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity).
Then he talked about terrorism and reminded the listeners that he discussed this it in his other book, Totalitarianism, in which he argued that that power does not exist without terror. Even the western countries which see themselves as democratic have terror organizations. For example, we are well aware of the CIA's operations of terror, kidnapping and torture. Or in France, President Charles de Gaulle had a terror groups called: "SAC"(1). Even during negotiations about French hostages held in Lebanon, Charles Pasqua, the French Interior Minister at the time, had suggested to his Iranian negotiators (who were asking to silence Banisadr) not to silence him but to kill him in return for the freeing of the hostages.
He further continued and reminded the listeners that when G. W. Bush was going to attack Afghanistan, in order to get rid of al-Qaeda (which was initially created by the US) he wrote an article warning Bush that such policy would only lead to the expansion of terrorism.
Finally, he strongly criticized Islamic societies and argued that we have a serious problem, which goes back to our understanding of Islam. We need to do some thorough soul-searching and critical thinking. We can’t blame the west for everything that is wrong in our societies. We need to change in order to become independent and free both as individuals and nations.
I suggest listening to all of the interview.
He also added that the reaction to insulting the prophet can never be violent and terroristic, which is a pure crime. The Koran explicitly states that the best of the people are those who listen to different opinions and choose the best. The criminals who are committing such crimes should know the Koran is explicit in stating that when faced with insult, one should only walk away from it with dignity (Chapter Al-Forqan, verse: “..., and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity).
Then he talked about terrorism and reminded the listeners that he discussed this it in his other book, Totalitarianism, in which he argued that that power does not exist without terror. Even the western countries which see themselves as democratic have terror organizations. For example, we are well aware of the CIA's operations of terror, kidnapping and torture. Or in France, President Charles de Gaulle had a terror groups called: "SAC"(1). Even during negotiations about French hostages held in Lebanon, Charles Pasqua, the French Interior Minister at the time, had suggested to his Iranian negotiators (who were asking to silence Banisadr) not to silence him but to kill him in return for the freeing of the hostages.
He further continued and reminded the listeners that when G. W. Bush was going to attack Afghanistan, in order to get rid of al-Qaeda (which was initially created by the US) he wrote an article warning Bush that such policy would only lead to the expansion of terrorism.
Finally, he strongly criticized Islamic societies and argued that we have a serious problem, which goes back to our understanding of Islam. We need to do some thorough soul-searching and critical thinking. We can’t blame the west for everything that is wrong in our societies. We need to change in order to become independent and free both as individuals and nations.
I suggest listening to all of the interview.
(1): http://www.de-gaulle.info/p-chairoff.shtml
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