The United Nations Youth Association of Victoria today expressed support for Iranian young people taking to the streets to protest their totalitarian Government.
“The protests in Tehran and other Iranian cities have demonstrated that Iranian young people will not sit idly by while they’re stripped of their rights by this totalitarian regime,” United Nations Youth Association of Victoria President Ruvini Leitan said today.
Celebrations of the Islamic Ashura Day holiday turned violent when citizens who felt disenfranchised by the controversial elections that gave the Ahmadinejad regime another term in power took to the streets.
Protests held throughout Iran last week were the deadliest since those held after the controversial Presidential elections in June of last year.
"The youth of Iran are looking for more liberties and are moving away from their government's religious extremism"
"It is time for Ayatollah Khamenei and President Ahmedinejad to accept that their despotic grasp on power is untenable. Young people have a history of standing up for liberty – and I’m certain Iran will be no different"
“UNYA Victoria applauds the good will of embassies located in Iran, which opened their doors as safe houses to young protesters seeking refuge from the violence, and treatment for their injuries.”
“The support from leaders of all countries that support the growth of democracy is needed in this fight against insular dictatorships denying fellow young people their basic civil rights.”
“UNYA Victoria supports these efforts to bring a legitimate and meaningful democracy to Iran.”
The United Nations Youth Association of Victoria is a volunteer organisation run solely by young people aged 14 – 24. It operates to encourage youth debate on issues of global significance.