Quote Originally Posted by daihashi
I hate to say it but the only way to make any sort of change happen in Iran is through the iranian people.

The Iranian government is so backwards. I wish I could remember some of the conversations I've had in detail with family members in Iran (I'm American.. Half iranian.. so my farsi sucks badly and I don't retain the info well).

Majority of the Iranian people however do want the government to change.
We tend to usually agree on topics so maybe you can assist me with this one. Irans population is roughly 65 million with an estimated 1-20 million belonging to the Basij. Here's a bit of info I've found on them from numerous sources but I'll use this one:

The Basij have been criticised as belonging to the paramilitary forces using child soldiers because of their underage recruitment practices and for having relied extensively on "human wave" attacks during the Iran-Iraq War, particularly around Basra.[9][16] Many were used as cannon fodder and for mine-clearing.

[1]According to the UNHCR "tens of thousands of Basijis had been ordered to prowl about every factory, office and school to ensure that everyone adhered to the Islamic code. [...] After the summer 1992 riots Basij units were revived, rearmed and sent out into the streets to help enforce Islamic law. The Basijis are reportedly under the control of local mosques. It was further said that the Basijis set up checkpoints around the cities and stopped cars to sniff their occupant's breath for alcohol and check for women wearing make-up or travelling with a man not their close relative or husband. It was reported that the Law of Judicial Support for the Basijis, published in the Official Gazette No. 13946 of 8.10.1371 (December 1992), provided no redress against arbitrary detention by the Basijis." Iran's permanent representative to the U.N. denied these charges.[17]

Amnesty International claims that "investigations by Parliament and the National Security Council indicated that actions by Revolutionary Guard officials and Basij (Mobilization) forces, among others, precipitated the unrest and injuries following the July 1999 students demonstrations".[18]

Human Rights Watch has reported that the Basij belong to the "Parallel institutions" (nahad-e movazi), "the quasi-official organs of repression that have become increasingly open in crushing student protests, detaining activists, writers, and journalists in secret prisons, and threatening pro-democracy speakers and audiences at public events." Under the control of the Office of the Supreme Leader these groups set up arbitrary checkpoints around Tehran, uniformed police often refraining from directly confronting these plainclothes agents. "Illegal prisons, which are outside of the oversight of the National Prisons Office, are sites where political prisoners are abused, intimidated, and tortured with impunity." [19]

On 13 November 2006, Tohid Ghaffarzadeh, a student at Sabzevar University was reportedly killed by a Basij member at the University while Ghaffarzadeh was talking to his girlfriend. The killer reportedly approached Ghaffarzadeh and stabbed him with a knife explaining that what he did was according to his religious beliefs.
Basij - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How can the people make "change" happen when a paramilitary group like this has such a stranglehold on the people? And also, how can foriegn visitors actually feel safe with this type of group on the prowl?

Have a good one!:s4: