The most important dichotomy that I make for a society is between those who support democracy and human rights, and those who oppose it.
AKBAR GANJIThey obviously collected a lot of votes, but these monies could not solve the structural problems that these people face. But the only result, the only consequence, was that a big sum from the budget was wasted this way.
More Akbar Ganji Quotes
-
-
I have spent six years in prison, the last six years. Even if I was outside the prison, how much actual space was there for an investigative journalist to do his work in Iran?
AKBAR GANJI -
We’ve had 60 years of intellectual development in Iran. How can we have the same system?
AKBAR GANJI -
When I was on my hunger strike, and I was in a hospital, the guards who inflicted all manner of injustice against me, and all manner of hardship…
AKBAR GANJI -
What I’m worried about is that, in case that happens [nuclear explosion], then the Iranian people are the ones who are going to pay the heaviest price. But none of the Western countries have seriously talked about this.
AKBAR GANJI -
The solutions to the problems of the distraught lower strata of society are problems that can only be solved in the context of an overall political, cultural, economic development.
AKBAR GANJI -
There is more disgruntlement, but because there is no media, the voice of this opposition is not heard outside Iran.
AKBAR GANJI -
The U.S. should start talking about disarmament, nuclear disarmament, of the region.
AKBAR GANJI -
Today, as a result of a miraculous set of circumstances,
AKBAR GANJI -
Whatever Iranian people have bought, they have bought in the black market.
AKBAR GANJI -
There is no possibility of a public demonstration [in Iran] of such defiance, but these defiant acts are certainly going on.
AKBAR GANJI -
They are the kind of dishonest and populist slogans that we are not willing to use.
AKBAR GANJI -
In Iran, where everything is covert, we have no firsthand information.
AKBAR GANJI -
We should put away the militaristic outlook.
AKBAR GANJI -
The modern infrastructures that exists in the world all contribute to the advancement of human rights and democracy.
AKBAR GANJI -
I am only speaking of my own behalf.
AKBAR GANJI -
It was universal pressure on the regime to secure my release. International pressure was certainly helpful in my release.
AKBAR GANJI -
Why did the regime put me in prison in the first place? I was put in prison for six years and it has been all illegal.
AKBAR GANJI -
There’s all kind of evidence that there is enormous corruption in the distribution of that money. For example, they gave about $100 to $150 dollars to each of the teachers. They gave about $500 dollars to those who were getting married. Through this process.
AKBAR GANJI -
Negotiation talks are the best way to solve anything. We must replace wars and weapons with negotiations and talks.
AKBAR GANJI -
Of course, everyone knows that I’m also opposed to the Iranian regime and I have said that we must change the regime. But it is us, the Iranians, that must change the regime.
AKBAR GANJI -
I went to the front, but I never participated in the war itself.
AKBAR GANJI -
When women push their headscarf back an inch or two, this is interpreted to be a political act.
AKBAR GANJI -
You cannot bring democracy to a country by attacking it.
AKBAR GANJI -
It began early in the revolution. It was a process that was unfolding on a daily basis. We expected the system to be dispensing justice, but every day that passed by.
AKBAR GANJI -
The lower strata are suffering all kinds of oppression and the injustice that is inflicted upon them has many faces and many facets.
AKBAR GANJI -
He never made economic promises to people and as a result, he never led to dissatisfaction in this perspective. Because they need to get votes, they use misleading slogans. And this leads to rising expectations. I had a personal experience.
AKBAR GANJI