THE CLERICAL REGIME OF IRAN – A FALSE THEOCRACY

THE CLERICAL REGIME OF IRAN –

A FALSE THEOCRACY

Stes de Necker

The word theocracy originates from the Greek θεοκρατία meaning "the rule of God". This in turn derives from θεός (theos), meaning "god", and κρατέω (krateo), meaning "to rule".

By definition a true THEOCRACY is therefore the most perfect and idealistic form of government imaginable because it is (by definition) a government by the direction or administration of God himself. 

It is written that: “the tabernacle of God” shall be “with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

This can mean nothing less than a divine government of willing subjects.

In today’s terms, Theocracy means primarily a government under the direction and faith in God and that also applied to the exercise of political authority and justice by religious leaders. It is not enough to constitute a true theocracy when rulers merely profess to the Word of God; it must be seen and applied in everyday practice to be so.

Two things are necessary for the existence of a theocracy: (1) God himself must be the ultimate ‘governor’ and (2) the subjects of the government must consent to be governed by those elected representatives who must govern in accordance with His (God’s), prescripts and ordinances.

God himself having made man a free moral agent — being endowed with the power of choice —recognizes the great truth that in all things civil, governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.

The Theocratic (religious) leader himself exercises civil power only so long as he represents the will of God and it is the choice of the people that he should continue to exercise that power.   

Looking at the developments in Iran over the past 15 months, it is glaringly obvious that the Theocratic regime in Iran is no longer the choice of the people.

Anyone still thinking that the corrupt theocratic regime in Iran still represents the religious will and aspirations of the Iranian people are sadly mistaken.

No part of the ruling system has been immune from corruption, which has contaminated all sectors, from the judiciary to the parliament and the government.

Economic grievances have fused with corruption complaints to fuel a wave of street protests across Iran which started on 28 December 2017. Since then more than 3,700 people were arrested and 23 were killed in the sometimes violent nationwide marches which took place all over Iran.

 A powerful system of political patronage, nepotism and cronyism pervade all sectors of the government. Irregular payments and bribes are often exchanged to obtain services, permits and contracts. 

Judicial System

Bribes and irregular payments are often exchanged in return for obtaining favourable court decisions while donations to influential persons by those accused of corruption or embezzlement effectively curtail the judiciary’s willingness to prosecute.

It is alleged that the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had an off-the-books hedge fund, Setad, worth $95bn, and that Iran's previous head of the judiciary was in possession of 63 personal bank accounts worth $300m after wiring public funds to his own accounts.

Police

A systems of patronage and cronyism is pervasive in overall law enforcement – police, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia.

The police operates highly inefficiently, and companies are doubtful in the reliability of Iranian police forces to protect them from crime or to uphold law and order.  The IRGC owns a considerable part of the economy and financial systems, and influences the media, making it a powerful institution that’s loyal to the supreme leader.

In 2015, allegations of embezzlement of funds worth 350 million US dollars within the police force surfaced, but the supreme leader Khamenei forbade probes into the Police Service. 

Public Service

Companies must contend with corruption when acquiring licenses, utilities or other public services. Bribes and other irregular payments are exchanged in return for obtaining public utilities, while officials regularly expect bribes for providing routine services.

Mismanagement and rampant corruption limits the administration of state services while religious affiliation and systems of political patronage rather than technical skills determine hiring and firing of public servants

Land Administration

Individuals routinely bribe officials in order to obtain permits for illegal construction.

In addition, when companies set-up mid-sized industrial facilities, they commonly obtain financial support through connections and corruption.

The National Inspection Organization reportedly found that government officials including senior municipal officials, City Council members, Members of Parliament, and police officers were involved in mishandling public land and properties worth 702 million US dollars

Tax Administration

Companies report that bribes and irregular payments are widespread in meetings with tax officials.

Due to its oil-wealth, Iran is not very dependent on taxation; around forty percent of its economy is exempt from taxes; including the many bodies linked to the IRGC as well as the enterprise-like religious foundations.

Customs Administration

The border administration lacks transparency, procedures are perceived to be burdensome, and irregular payments in relation to imports and exports frequently. 

When goods such as cigarettes are imported to Iran from Oman across the Strait of Hormuz into Bandar Abbas, Omani officials levy about 5 US dollars in export duties per package and Iranian officials demand bribes of up to 60 US dollars to allow the cargo to be unloaded. Allegations exist that the IRGC plays a significant role in smuggling both weapons and illicit substances using its control over ports, airports and roads.  

Public Procurement

Business executives report that bribery is widespread in the process of awarding contracts and licences (GCR 2015-2016). Favouritism is often shown to well-connected firms and individuals The IRGC in particular enjoys access to lucrative government contracts that are not subject to tender. Much of the IRGC’s business is done through front companies that are not formally owned by the IRGC but by individuals and firms linked to it

Under the Rouhani administration, cases of embezzlement carried out by figures of the regime are continuously disclosed but without the perpetrators being named.

Even though it is rarely prosecuted, embezzlement constitutes a serious offense in Iran as it involves breaking the Islamic banking law.

Natural Resources

Iran’s natural resource potential is underutilized due to government mismanagement and prevalent corruption in the sector. Iran is estimated to hold around 22 percent of global oil reserves, and the industry accounts for a major share of the country’s revenue. As it is Iran’s most lucrative sector, it is either controlled by the state or by those with close ties to the state.

Legislation

Iran’s laws provide for various penalties for corruption, but in practice, the law is not applied and cases of corruption remain unprosecuted. 

Iran’s anti-corruption legal framework is diffuse and spread across a number of laws, including the Act on Public and Revolutionary Courts’ Rules of Procedures in Criminal Matters and the Aggravating the Punishment for Perpetrators of Bribery, Embezzlement and Fraud Act.

Civil Society

Iran’s media environment is one of the world’s most repressive environments. Freedom of expression is guaranteed in the constitution but is severely limited both online and offline. Government officials regularly intimidate journalists into self-censorship. Access to information is limited and not protected by law. In 2016 six media outlets were blocked and/or punished for reporting on corruption in Tehran’s property developments.

Freedoms of assembly and association are also strongly limited, both by law and in practice. Many people are currently imprisoned for their affiliation with opposition parties, labour unions and student or other activist groups. Activists are routinely arrested without formal charges and sometimes without access to legal counsel.

In the Biblical Old Testament Book of Ezekiel (Chapter 21 verse 25 to 27) we read:

“25. And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,

26. Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.

27. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.”

Note:

Ezekiel in Arabic is “Hizkeel” which means 'God will strengthen' or literally 'to fasten upon'.
Ezekiel is recognized as a prophet in Islamic tradition. Although not mentioned in the Quran by name, all Muslim scholars, both classical and modern have included Ezekiel in lists of the prophets of Islam.

Ezekiel is a major prophet in the Biblical Old Testament, the author of the Book of Ezekiel. The Book of Ezekiel describes his vivid symbolic visions that predict the restoration of the kingdom of Israel. 

Translated into Arabic(Google Translator), verses 25 to 27 of Chapter 21 of the Book Ezekiel would read:

"25. وانت يا امير اسرائيل الشرير الذي يأتي يوم يكون عنده نهاية للظلم

26. هكذا قال السيد الرب. إزالة الإكليل ، وخلع التاج: هذا لا يجوز أن يكون هو نفسه: تمجده منخفضة ، ويمتلئ به عالية.

27. أنا سأقلب ، قلب ، قلب ، هو: وهو لن يكون أكثر ، حتى يأتي هو الذي يكون هو ؛ وسأمنحه له

In the same manner as these prophetic words of the prophet Ezekiel applied to Israel, it applies to the whole world.

The Day of Judgement for the draconic mullah regime in Iran has arrived.

For four decades the people of Iran had to endure the false theocracy of the mullah regime, but they have now reached the point where they no longer believe the false and baseless statements and promises of the clerics.

The best guarantee of religious freedom is a secular society where people of all faiths – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, even those with no faith  – are free to practice their beliefs in the privacy of their homes, churches, temples, mosques and synagogues, and don't get to tell anyone else what to believe or how to live.

The best guarantee of religious freedom is keeping religion out of politics. 

Under the capable leadership of President elect, Miryam Rajavi, the situation in Iran is rapidly changing in favour of a secular society.

Iran will soon be given back to “those who’s right it is.”

Under her leadership, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has put forth a 10-point plan that is a concrete outline, based on universal democratic values,  of what a free Iran will look like and how it would support the Iranian people.

This plan includes holding free elections and giving the Iranian people back their voice in how they are governed. The 10-point plan is focused on the Iranian people and giving them back the freedoms and rights they are currently denied by the regime.

Other goals of the 10-point plan focus on eliminating human rights abuses, including the abolishing of the death penalty and giving individuals the right to freedom of expression.

Maryam Rajavi’s Ten Point Plan for a free and democratic Iran:

1. In our view, the ballot box is the only criterion for legitimacy. Accordingly, we seek a republic based on universal suffrage.

2. We want a pluralist system, freedom of parties and assembly. We respect all individual freedoms. We underscore complete freedom of expression and of the media and unconditional access by all to the internet.

3. We support and are committed to the abolition of death penalty.

4. We are committed to the separation of Church and State. Any form of discrimination against the followers of any religion and denomination will be prohibited.

5. We believe in complete gender equality in political, social and economic arenas. We are also committed to equal participation of women in political leadership. Any form of discrimination against women will be abolished. They will enjoy the right to freely choose their clothing. They are free in marriage, divorce, education and employment.

6. We believe in the rule of law and justice. We want to set up a modern legal system based on the principles of presumption of innocence, the right to defense, effective judicial protection and the right to be tried in a public court. We also seek the total independence of judges. The mullahs’ Sharia law will be abolished.

7. We are committed to the Universal Declaration of Humans Rights, and international covenants and conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. We are committed to the equality of all nationalities. We underscore the plan for the autonomy of Iranian Kurdistan, adopted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran. The language and culture of our compatriots from whatever nationality, are among our nation’s human resources and must spread and be promulgated in tomorrow’s Iran.

8. We recognize private property, private investment and the market economy. All Iranian people must enjoy equal opportunity in employment and in business ventures. We will protect and revitalize the environment.

9. Our foreign policy will be based on peaceful coexistence, international and regional peace and cooperation, as well as respect for the United Nations Charter.

10. We want a non-nuclear Iran, free of weapons of mass destruction.

See also - THE AYATOLLAH SYSTEM OF IRAN – A THEOCRACY GONE ROGUE