Amir JavadifarA committee was appointed by [opposition figures Mir Hossein] Mousavi and [Mehdi] Karroubi during the early days of the protest marches. The committee's job was to collect statistical news and information about the victims of the aftermath.
The same committee released more than 70 names of victims who lost their lives during the protests. Security forces and judicial officials have not yet commented or cooperated on this issue.
On September 7, 2009, security forces arrested committee members in an office raid. All assets and documents were confiscated in the process.
Afterward, the state-run media and other publishing networks close to the government launched a campaign to deny the allegations.
Despite denials on the number of deaths, this report is based on my personal interviews written for Rah-e Sabz (Jaras) and some of my colleagues employed by or working for Kalemeh, Saham News, Rooz Online, the Iranian Teachers' Association, the Mourning Mothers website, Radio Farda, Voice of America (VOA), BBC, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, and the follow-up committee for the victims.
The interviews, some in-person, were conducted with the family members of 43 victims.
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Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 7:47
Sometimes, I stand for hours behind the wall --- like the Berlin Wall or the Great Wall of China --- that separates us. I stand there and talk of our memories --- of these ruthless torturers. The memories don’t allow me to be alone for even a second. I talk about the days ahead when we will build something better than what we had already built. Our best days are yet to come!