Support the Iranian Bloggers

As a libertarian blogger it is disheartening to read about the curtailment of free speech in repressive regions around the world.  I was alerted to this article by learned blogger Norman Geras is his excellent normblog.

It always surprises me how silent the Anti-American left are to abuses within oppressive regimes that stand against the US. 

Such is the Anti-American left’s delight in any nation that sticks two fingers up at Uncle Sam, they are prepared to forgive cruelties that would have them spitting feathers if they were committed by the US.

Libertarians, and those of a lucid liberal disposition, should champion those who seek to subvert the autocracy of the Tehran regime.  Iran has the potential to be a beacon of opportunity within Central Asia, with an intelligent and informed middle class, the country – if released from its fundamentalist shackles – could embrace the modern global economy and deliver prosperity to its people.

From the Telegraph: -

Over the last year, however, Iranian authorities have arrested and beaten dozens of bloggers, charged with crimes such as espionage and insulting leaders of the Islamic Republic. Among them is Omid Sheikhan, who last month was sentenced to one year in prison and 124 lashes of the whip for writing a blog that featured satirical cartoons of Iranian politicians.

The press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders last week named Iran as one of 15 countries who were “enemies of the internet”.

“These new measures point to an ideological hardening in the Iranian government and a desire by the new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to centralise authority,” its report said.

There is no legislation against blogging itself but the writers can be charged by authorities in the hardline theocracy with “morality violations” for the content of their websites.

Nevertheless, Iranians are increasingly turning to blogs and those who can publish their words in English hope they will reach a wider international audience and alert them to the problems facing free-thinkers within Iran.