The often entertaining but factually challenged Tehran Times has an article in its Thursday edition about last week's Friday prayer's sermon from former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
The Times writes that "...Iran has deep democratic roots, being based on both a school of thought and the ideals of people."
This is false.
Oh sure, Iran has elections. But they're not free elections. And Iran is not a free country.
Anyone who wants to run for parliament or president must first be approved by the Assembly of Experts, who amazingly enough, are voted in by Iranians.
But to be eligible to run for a Assembly of Experts seat, candidates have to be proven capable by the Counci of Guardians, half of whom are appointed by the president, the other half by parliament. And remember, to become either of those, approval is needed by the Assembly of Experts.
The Council of Guardians can rule a law passed by parliament as against the Iranian constitution or Shari'a (Islamic law), essentially voiding the legislation.
In between it all is the Expediency Discernment Council, which works to resolve differences between these groups, members of this group get appointed by the Supreme Leader.
The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini's position in post-Shah Iran, is elected by the Council of Experts. He serves for life, and within government of Iran. The title is correct, he's above the president.
Absolutely not a democracy: It's a lazy susan system of Islamist rule. And that's the what the writers of the Iranian constitution intended.
For more on Iran, please visit the Pajamas blog, Regime Change Iran.
Technorati tags: Iran Farsi iranian ايران مجلس Islam Politics الإسلام Shari/'a
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