Islamic Republic is culpable of serial murders of women

Thursday, July 26, 2001

Wpipr - By Azar Majedi

The body of the Mashhad serial killer''s 18th woman victim was found last week. In the past year, 18 women have been killed in a gruesome and like manner (suffocated with headscarves) in Mashhad in what has become known as the ''spider murders.'' Everyone knows who the murderer is or murderers are, but no one has been arrested. Instead, the murderer is free and roaming the streets looking for his next victim.

Like the other serial murders that prompted waves of protests, these murders have also been carried out by the regime''s paid agents. Why then has there not been a similar outcry? Why were these crimes greeted with complete silence for such a long time, and even now when they are mentioned, the murderers are endeared for their ''piety?'' Moreover, any criticisms on the case are only related to the concern that the murders will ''cast doubt on the Islamic Republic''s credibility abroad.''

These women victims are referred to as ''prostitutes,'' and within the framework of Islamic culture and values under the Islamic Republic, this attribute is sufficient to establish respect for the murderers. The reason for the silence and current justification of these crimes lies within this attribute. It is rooted in the misogyny and reaction imposed by the Islamic Republic. It is the consequence of backwardness and a putrid culture imposed on society.

''The Yazd Sun newspaper writes: ''the perpetrators of these crimes do not have a clear understanding of Islamic codes. If the allegations are true then it is the responsibility of the government to deal with it.'' This is the height of criticism put forth by ''Reformists'' on these inhuman and outrageous killings. One should ask these brave gentlemen what sentence these women would receive if the regime''s official courts used attributes similar to those used in the newspapers? They would receive a more tortuous death by stoning.

Who is to blame? Who is the murderer? The answer is clear; it is the Islamic Republic. Whether the murderer has received direct instructions from the government or, according to the regime''s press, has carried out these crimes because of his ''piety,'' will not diminish the Islamic Republic''s culpability. It is the leaders of the Islamic Republic that must be put on trial for the murder of these 18 women. That day is not far away. These serial murders have been added to 22 years of other serial murder cases by this murderous regime.

Azar Majedi is a member of WPI''s Central and Executive Committees and Political Bureau.