"Hey, you who are silent, the next Mahsa will be yours!"

 *This is the latest blog written by my dear Iranian friend, Paymaneh Sabet. Paymaneh is an Iranian journalist and human rights activist living in exile in Malaysia, forced to leave her homeland by a dictatorship government that would sentence her to life in prison for speaking out

  The next Mahsa will be yours

“Hey, you who are silent, the next Mahsa will be yours.”

     

     This was the slogan that Iranians chanted in the streets after Mahsa Amini, a young woman, was brutally killed by the morality police in Iran. Her death sparked a wave of protests and outrage among the Iranian people, especially women, who have been suffering from oppression and violence for decades under the Islamic regime. In this article, I want to tell you why the world should not ignore the plight of the Iranian people and why we should stand with them in their struggle for freedom and dignity.

     I was born and raised in Iran; a country that has been ruled by a dictatorship since 1979. I have witnessed many atrocities and injustices committed by the regime against its own people. I have seen many of my relatives, friends, and fellow citizens being arrested, tortured, executed, or exiled for expressing their opinions, beliefs, or desires. I have seen many women being harassed, beaten, or killed for not obeying the strict dress code or for demanding their rights. I have seen many children being deprived of education, health care, or a bright future because of poverty, corruption, or sanctions.

     I have also seen many people who chose to remain silent or indifferent to these crimes. Some of them were afraid of the consequences of speaking out or taking action. Some of them were selfish or greedy and cared only about their own interests or benefits. Some of them were ignorant or naive and believed that the regime would change or reform itself. Some of them were hopeful or optimistic and thought that things would get better someday.

     But they were all wrong. The regime did not change or reform itself. It became more brutal and oppressive. Things did not get better. They got worse. The fire that the regime had ignited in Iran spread to other countries and regions. The regime supported terrorist groups and militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Gaza, and elsewhere. The regime provoked conflicts and wars with its neighbors and rivals. The regime threatened the security and stability of the whole world with its nuclear ambitions and ballistic missiles.

     The fire that the regime had ignited in Iran also burned many of those who had remained silent or indifferent. The next Mahsa was Kian, a young boy who was shot dead by security forces while he was returning home from his grandmother’s house in his father’s car. The next Mahsa was Armita Gheravand, a teenage girl who was attacked to death by three women who were paid by the regime to enforce the hijab on other women. Also, there were others before Mahsas. Neda Agha-Soltan, a university student who was shot dead by a sniper while she was watching a peaceful demonstration.

     The next Mahsa could be anyone. It could be you or your loved ones. It could be me or my loved ones though I lost my beloved cousin Saeed Tahmasebi and his lovely wife on Ukraine plane 20 days after their wedding, the couple who were not even living inside Iran.  It could be anyone who cares about human rights, democracy, justice, peace, and love.

     That is why I decided to speak up and take action. That is why had no choice but seeking asylum after I was marked and threatened by the members of Iranian embassy here in Malaysia. The asylum that has not been granted to me after 10 years as the UN is still pending my case for being an Iranian.  That is why I write books, blogs, and articles for radio programs to expose the crimes of the regime and to support the Iranian people. That is why I urge you to do the same.

     Do not remain silent or indifferent to the plight of the Iranian people. Do not let the regime get away with its crimes. Do not let the fire that the regime has ignited in Iran burn you or your loved ones.

     Stand with the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom and dignity. Support their demands for human rights, democracy, justice, peace, and love. Put pressure on your governments to stop dealing with the regime and to impose sanctions on its leaders and their children. Help the Iranian refugees and activists who are living in exile or under threat.

     The next victim will be your if you do not act now.

     The time to act is now.

     The time to stand with Iran is now.

     But the regime does not want you to stand with Iranians. The regime wants you to be distracted and divided by its plots and provocations. The regime wants you to forget about Mahsa and the Iranian people. The regime wants you to focus on the conflicts and violence that it has created or fueled in the region and the world.

     The regime is behind the chaos and bloodshed that is happening in Israel and Gaza. The regime is supporting Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two terrorist groups that are firing rockets at Israeli civilians and causing death and destruction. The regime is also inciting hatred and violence among Palestinians and Israelis, who have been living together peacefully for years. The regime is exploiting the suffering and anger of the people to advance its agenda and interests.

     The regime is also behind the attacks and threats that are targeting innocent people in Europe and America. The regime is sponsoring or inspiring terrorists and extremists who are carrying out bombings, shootings, stabbings, or kidnappings. The regime is also spreading propaganda and misinformation to sow discord and distrust among the people and their governments. The regime is trying to undermine the values and principles that are shared by the free and democratic nations.

     The regime is doing all this to divert the attention of the world from its crimes and failures. The regime is doing all this to weaken the resistance and solidarity of the Iranian people and their supporters. The regime is doing all this to escape the accountability and justice that it deserves.

     Do not fall for the regime’s tricks and traps. Do not let the regime deceive you or divide you. Do not let the regime make you forget or ignore Mahsa and the Iranian people.

     Remember Mahsa, Remember Armita. Remember their courage and sacrifice. Remember their voice and message. Remember their slogan: Hey, you who are silent, the next Mahsa/Armita will be yours.

     Remember Mahsa and Armita, and stand with Iran.

     Stand with Iranians before it is too late!