Neda made Iran ‘determined’
The fiancé of an Iranian woman killed during election protests tells Channel 4 News Neda was a “thinker” who was able to “affect the opinions of people worldwide”.
The accompanying film is in Farsi. Click here for translated version.
Caspian Makan, Neda’s grieving partner, told Channel 4 News that the “revolution” should “not be silenced until the dawn of victory for the people”.
“A lot of people expect me to speak of revenge,” he said.
“I’ve been asked many times by many people; at times they haven’t behaved well when I haven’t responded to their request.
“So I want to say now that this wasn’t something that entered Neda’s thoughts. “If we are going to take that route, even in our words, we are not so different from the leaders in the Islamic republic. This isn’t what we want and it isn’t what Neda wanted.”
“I’ve asked the people of Iran, wherever they may be, in whichever corner of the world, to be present and together with the cherished memory of Neda – who by right is the symbol of the people’s desire for freedom as are others who lost their lives – and cry out to the leaders of the government of Iran to say, ‘we no longer want them’.
“The defenceless people are subject to aggression, threats, violence, arrest, torture and murder in the most horrific circumstances.” Caspian Makan
“Leaders who have so simply and thoroughly taken responsibility for government over 31 years in Iran, killing people on mass, treating people dishonourably. They have no place.
“I hope by their presence people will make this call for governments elsewhere in the world to think hard about purging this dictatorship to free the noble people of Iran.
“Like all Iranians Neda didn’t pursue war or peace.
“The people of Iran have long been a humanity and peace-loving people. What takes place in our country today is wrought by the authorities and leaders of the regime. And the defenceless people are subject to aggression, threats, violence, arrest, torture and murder in the most horrific circumstances.
“Therefore Neda was neither in pursuit of peace or war. She was a thinker and with the extraordinary capacity that she had in spirit and in thought without seeking any attention for herself, she was able to affect the opinions of people worldwide.
“Therefore the reason for the impact and this chance are Neda’s thoughts in the last moments of her life that we all over the world witnessed.
“Like all Iranians Neda didn’t pursue war or peace.” Caspian Makan
“Neda personally taught me about bravery. I’ve learnt many things form Neda and I think Neda, with all her courage and bravery, made us all more determined.
“She made us all more determined so that we may stand against the despotism of the leaders of the Islamic republic.
“This feeling, this flame that she ignited in the people, will not die out.
“I don’t call this a movement like some, I call it a revolution. I call it an awakening, a consciousness and a capability.
“And Neda in her thoughts and pursuits, in her innocence and bravery, created this.
“Her mantle was that of a go-between and so these cries will not be silenced until the dawn of victory for the people.”