Zahra | Iran virtual candidate

Women can not stand as a candidate in the presidential elections in Iran . However, there is one that has managed to get his head in the man's world. Zahra is a teacher of 53 years who lost his son during demonstrations against the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June 2009. But what a difference from the other to have the "privilege" to stand for the elections? Well, she is the famous comic book character 'Zahra's Paradise' (Zahra's Paradise). That is,is a virtual candidate. This initiative has come to light following the recent standard imposed by the Iranian government to forbid women to be submitted to the office of president. Hence, more than thirty applications already registered in the Ministry of Interior were rejected . Zahra is why it is considered by many to be the heroine fighting for a radical democratic change in Iran. However, the seed was planted as a result of the 'Green Tide', the violence that was generated in the 2009 elections, when the protests were silenced by death , torture and rape of many young Iranians. This created a network of activists willing to change. "We share a vision of a better Iran. We have a candidate, an organization, a global network of activists and supporters and an opportunity to advance our human rights agenda [2013 presidential election], "he told the creator and writer of 'selling' that transported Zahra to fame, Amir Soltani. In the program of this unusual political leader, calls for the abolition of the death penalty , the release of political prisoners and gender equality , as reflected on its website. Soltani, who is now in exile in the United States , has created a phenomenon that destabilizes the country's oldest inhabitants. Seen as a threat to many, the author says that "Zahra represents the pain of all Iranian and hope for change, "he says. However, heroin has not been accepted by the Council of Guardiansof the Revolution, which oversees Iran's political life. Only has accepted eight of the 686 entries that were submitted, five conservative close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and three presented as independent. They all play in the polls on June 14. Still, the project is being supported by several NGOs. The organization Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation (ABF) and the group DaneshJooNews are just some of the associations that were leaning against the shoulder.

Many activists have been silenced

ABF executive director, Roya Boroumand, assured this newspaper that "he asks Zahra is nothing new ". Many Iranians "have fought against laws and discriminatory practices, violence and impunity, but have been and continue to be imprisoned or, in the worst case, silenced "he says. To Boroumand, the change must be imminent, because "in the Islamic Republic, the laws on political parties, elections and the media severely limit the active and most citizens are excluded from standing for election to Parliament and the Presidency, "he says. That is why Boroumand shows Zahra as the " voice of the people who believe in justice , responsibility, and a pluralistic political system." The comic that gave life has the story of this courageous mothersearching for her son Mehdi, one blogger who fight against the authorities , who disappeared in one of the protests against Ahmadinejad in 2009. Along with his other son, Hassan, track prisons, morgues and hospitals in Iran. However, every effort falls in vain when he discovers the tragic end of her younger son Mehdi is dead. 'Zahra's paradise' offers for free the first two chapters on his website and is translated into 13 languages, including Spanish . This form of abuse claim reminiscent of another famous publication: ' Persepolis', the autobiographical novel by Iranian Marjane Satrapi, which counts the pain and problems of citizens from the country's transition to the Islamic Republic over four books. The candidate also has a page on Facebook , where more than 2,500 people have given the button 'Like' social network. In it, people around the world publish their photos with the image of the heroine or of themselves, which include a message of support to the foot of the image. From herTwitter account, which has about 1,000 followers, also offend half the country with their demands and requests to make a radical change to Iran. However, rather than attempt to seize the throne of Ahmadinejad , which its creators seek to denounce the abuses continued to live every day. Boroumand says Zahra campaign "is fighting institutionalization laws that are discriminatory based on gender , ethnicity, religion and beliefs ".

Lack of information and discussion

But what serve for something Zahra's candidacy? Boroumand states that "to change things necessary information and discuss what is a problem ", something that is lacking in China. He claims that with this leader "progress is being made ​​to challenge the candidates and is starting a debate that authorities do not allow the Republic." Until June 14 Iran will be in suspense . At the moment it appears that the transformation will be slow , but the town remains optimistic. Zahara is a symbol, a breath of hope that makes the "call for change is stronger," explains Boroumand. Soltani said the campaign "will continue to open the doors of Evin prison[in Tehran]! " and adds that "while the Iranian people are in danger , Zahra continue planting the flag of human rights to love do what it has always done: triumph over death ."