We have two kinds of oppression. Oppression that is universal – everyone in Iran is subject to it. But everyone has also their own, unique way of experiencing this oppression.
AKBAR GANJIWe have two kinds of oppression. Oppression that is universal – everyone in Iran is subject to it. But everyone has also their own, unique way of experiencing this oppression.
AKBAR GANJIThe regime kept saying that all of my opponents are lackeys of the United States.
AKBAR GANJIThe most important dichotomy that I make for a society is between those who support democracy and human rights, and those who oppose it.
AKBAR GANJIIt is not clear what they have bought, how many secondhand materials they have bought. I am very worried that something like Chernobyl will happen to Iran.
AKBAR GANJII am against revolution and am proud of it. Democracy cannot be created through revolutions.
AKBAR GANJIWe see that the ecological movement, environmentalist movement, organizes all kinds of demonstrations against these.
AKBAR GANJIYou cannot bring democracy to a country by attacking it.
AKBAR GANJIReligion is separate from the institution of the state.
AKBAR GANJIWhen I’m speaking, I’m speaking only for myself. At the same time, I know that these ideas have wide support among the Iranian population.
AKBAR GANJIThe issue has two dimensions. One is the legal dimension and the other one is the issue at the realpolitik. [In the] legal realm.
AKBAR GANJIWe believe in equal rights for all people in all nations. If Israel, the United States, Russia, Pakistan, other countries, China, have the right to have a nuclear program and nuclear bomb, Iran, too, must have that same right.
AKBAR GANJIHe 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 GANJIReligion is the private affair of an individual…be present in the public domain, but state has to be clearly separated from religion.
AKBAR GANJIOf 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 GANJIWhen women push their headscarf back an inch or two, this is interpreted to be a political act.
AKBAR GANJIThere is no possibility of a public demonstration [in Iran] of such defiance, but these defiant acts are certainly going on.
AKBAR GANJI