Iran bars women presidential candidates

[Turinbaar]

A constitutional body in Iran has ruled that women cannot run in presidential elections scheduled for 14 June.

Mohammad Yazdi, a clerical member of the Guardian Council, said the constitution ruled out the participation of women.

Thirty women registered as candidates but there had been little expectation they would be allowed to stand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22560976

[MarxSchmarx]

Care to add anything? Is it a surprise that a reactionary regime continues to implement reactionary policies like this? Why do you think this deciision was made now as opposed ot in 1982?

[RedYouth]

My inner progressive feminist senses are quivering in rage, but I can honestly say I'm not surprised. We are talking about a reactionary theocracy, after all. It'll tear itself apart eventually. Hopefully, I can join an International Brigade during the inevitable civil war, just like George Orwell :D

[Turinbaar]

Care to add anything? Is it a surprise that a reactionary regime continues to implement reactionary policies like this? Why do you think this deciision was made now as opposed ot in 1982?

The fact that the ruling itself had to be made in the face of 30 candidates indicates to me that political fervor in Iran (particularly feminism) is beginning to stoke again. I believe the upcoming elections will trigger another major upheaval.

[Rusty Shackleford]

My inner progressive feminist senses are quivering in rage, but I can honestly say I'm not surprised. We are talking about a reactionary theocracy, after all. It'll tear itself apart eventually. Hopefully, I can join an International Brigade during the inevitable civil war, just like George Orwell :D

Join the US Army. That will be the 'international' brigade that will participate in any Iranian civil war at some point, with the way things are going.


But yeah, im not surprised to see this happen in Iran.

[Turinbaar]

I also believe that the recent hanging of Mr. Hekmati (who died despite having his death sentence overturned by the Iranian Supreme Court) is an anticipation by the government for the upcoming upheavals, and in this way an attempt to stir up populist support for itself.

Edit: I mistook hekmati with another man named Ahmadi. Hekmati to my knowledge is alive

[CSSR]

What can we expect from a country like this?

[Flying Purple People Eater]

It's because there are very large anti-government movements operating in Iran, and the majority of them have a very large feminist branch/ are feminists full stop. Over half of censored websites in Iran are some kind of feminist organisation's internet presence.

People are getting more and more agitated and the government is going hardcore to try and shut down public unrest; further demolishing women's freedom being first on the list.

[Revy]

Candidates are approved only by the Guardian Council, a 12-member body which itself is appointed by the Ayatollah (also referred to as "the Supreme Leader"). The Guardian Council can also veto parliamentary candidates. The Ayatollah also appoints the head of the Judiciary, who appoints the head of the Supreme Court. The Ayatollah also has the power to appoint any one of a variety of public officials. Even after the President is elected, he has to be formally appointed by the Ayatollah. So it's really the Ayatollah who has the power.

To be a candidate in Iran you must be in favor of theocracy. This makes the whole pretense of the elections a waste of time for anyone who does not support an oppressive system of theocracy.

[billydan]

that is taking away women's rights why would they do that?

[Zealot]

that is taking away women's rights why would they do that?

Yeah why would an Islamic fundamentalist regime do that, I don't know.

[Klaatu]

They aren't the only ones denying womens' rights; the Catholic Church continues to deny women their right to become priests (or for priests to marry)

[billydan]

They aren't the only ones denying womens' rights; the Catholic Church continues to deny women their right to become priests (or for priests to marry)

i agree with you im a catholic and i hate how at my church they don't allow girls on the altar and if gay people want to get married is their right not ours

[Turinbaar]

They aren't the only ones denying womens' rights; the Catholic Church continues to deny women their right to become priests (or for priests to marry)

That is true, but there is less catholic pressure on politics because of a history of struggle against church repression. The church used to threaten excommunication for participation in parliamentary elections or even voting. That's why they preferred the nazis to the catholic center party. A resistance to this sort of reactionary regime is required in Iran, as it was in europe long ago.

[crazyirish93]

That is true, but there is less catholic pressure on politics because of a history of struggle against church repression. The church used to threaten excommunication for participation in parliamentary elections or even voting. That's why they preferred the nazis to the catholic center party. A resistance to this sort of reactionary regime is required in Iran, as it was in europe long ago.
just to note a archbishiop here recently inferred that voting for abortion legislation would cause them to be excommunicated.