Iranian writer describes Tehran oppression

Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji, who went from anti-Shah activist and Revolutionary Guard member to investigative journalist and government critic, told a May 10 Newsmaker press conference of oppressive measures the regime of President Mahmoud Ahmadenijad takes against those who disagree with it.

"Anyone merely accused officially of acting against state interests is barred from working a journalist forever," Ganji said.

Discrimination against women, he added, "is far more intense than against any other group" in Iran.

But despite this, Ganji said, there is a strong feminist movement in Iran, which he called "one of the many paradoxes in our country." He said there are also significant student and labor movements in Iran and strong anti-government feelings in both.

Economic sanctions are not working, Ganji said.

"They are hurting the people, not the government." Continued sanctions, he said, "would destroy the middle class."

Ahamadenijad "is a joke" to the Iranian people, Ganji said, who said it is the West - including the media - that has built him up and made him "famous" around the world.

Ganji said Iranian "social thinking" is "far ahead of that in many other countries of the Middle East." His country also has the "pre-conditions for democracy."

And even though there are currently no demonstrations against the government such as those that have taken place recently, Ganji said, "there is opposition" and the concept of human rights "has taken root in our society."