06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Different groups serve as vigilantes and are involved in law enforcement and the maintaining of order ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19533]

"Several agencies share responsibility for law enforcement and maintaining order, including the MOIS, the Law Enforcement Forces under the Interior Ministry, and the IRGC. A paramilitary volunteer force known as the Basij and various informal groups known as the Ansar-e Hizballah (Helpers of the Party of God) aligned with extreme conservative members of the leadership and acted as vigilantes. The size of the Basij is disputed, with officials citing anywhere from 11 to 20 million, and a 2005 Western study claiming there were 90,000 active members and up to 300,000 reservists."

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Demonstrations & Vigilante organisations ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 9501]

"[...]The 1979 constitution prohibits public demonstrations that “violate the principles of Islam,” a vague provision used to justify the heavy-handed dispersal of assemblies and marches. Hard-line vigilante organizations unofficially sanctioned by the conservative establishment, most notably the Basij and Ansar-i Hezbollah, play a major role in dispersing public demonstrations. In sharp contrast to recent years, hardly any public demonstrations took place in 2004 following the hardliners’ electoral victory in February. Because of the public’s deepening political apathy and fear of reprisals by vigilantes, even the fifth anniversary of the regime’s harsh July 1999 crackdown on students passed quietly.
Iranian law does not allow independent labor unions to exist, though workers’ councils are represented in the government-sanctioned Workers’ House, the country’s only legal labor federation. While strikes and work stoppages are not uncommon, the authorities often ban or disperse demonstrations that criticize national economic policies. In January, security forces in the village of Khatunabad in southeastern Kerman province attacked striking copper factory workers, killing at least four people and injuring many others. In May, at least 40 workers were arrested by security forces during a Labor Day march in the city of Saqez.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

Sepah-e Basiji ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31980],  [ID 9502]

"[...]5.44 The Mobilization of the Dispossessed, or Sepah-e Basiji, is a paramilitary force who are some 300,000 strong. The Basiji were created to help the military campaign against Iraq in the years 1980 -1988. Members are reportedly recruited from farms, factories, schools and government offices, i.e. from all parts of the population. Their tasks include monitoring the daily lives of the citizens, combatting social corruption including ensuring that the clothing and behaviour of women conforms to strict Islamic rules. Structurally, the Basiji are part of the Army, and comprise those conscripts with a more zealous religious agenda. It is not clear, however, if they are separated into special units or batallions solely on this basis. Concerning connections with the Pasdaran, it is quite plausible that a Pasdaran approached a Basij and gave him orders. Still, this would rather have to be seen along the lines of this person being a senior military officer, someone who is notionally superior to a conscript or low-ranking officer. [3c](pg65) [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Basiji forces disperse demonstrations ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 9503]

"[...]Government restrictions using Basiji and other forces restored quiet for 2 weeks, until a large demonstration occurred at the University of Tehran in December 2002, attended by over 2,000 within the walls of the campus, and with a larger crowd outside. Law enforcement officials and "plainclothes" forces wielding batons, whips, and belts suppressed the protest. Basiji violently dispersed subsequent demonstrations. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

13.01.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Parallel Institutions ("World report 2005") [#28233],  [ID 9504]

"[...]“Parallel institutions” (nahad-e movazi) is how Iranians refer to 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. These groups have carried out brutal assaults against students, writers, and reformist politicians, and have set up arbitrary checkpoints around Tehran. Groups such as Ansar-e Hizbollah and the Basij work under the control of the Office of the Supreme Leader, and there are many reports that the uniformed police are often afraid to directly confront 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. Over the past year politically active individuals have been summoned to a detention center controlled by the Department of Public Places (Edareh Amaken Umumi) for questioning by “parallel” intelligence services. According to journalists and student activists who have undergone such interrogations but not been arrested or detained, these sessions are intended to intimidate and threaten students and others.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

12.07.2004 - Source: BBC News

Iran's morality police have made several raids in Tehran, in an apparent crackdown on women who flout the strict Islamic dress code ("Iran police in fashion crackdown") [#23944],  [ID 9505]

Document(s): Open document

09.06.2004 - Source: Asian Centre for Human Rights

Women activists celebrating International Women's Day in Tehran beaten up by Basij volunteer group ("EU-Iran Dialogue on Human Rights: One step forward, two steps back (ACHRF/24/04)") [#23237],  [ID 9506]

"There is little freedom of association and assembly. On 8 March 2004, members of the vigilante Basij volunteer group beat up women activists celebrating the International Women's Day in Tehran. Several people were reportedly arrested."

Document(s): Open document

15.10.2003 - Source: International Crisis Group

15.10.2003 - ICG: Basij militia eager for confrontations with student demonstrators; police clashes with Basij members for attacking peaceful protestants ("Iran: Discontent and Disarray") [#16759],  [ID 9507]

"On 10 June 2003, roughly 80 students living in Tehran University dormitories demonstrated against the school’s rumoured privatisation plans. [...] Sensing an opportunity to voice their displeasure with the government, a horde of disenchanted youth from around the capital – many unemployed, including from families with strong religious backgrounds – soon joined the student demonstrators. [...]

Still, although altogether close to 10,000 took part, at no time did the rallies appear to pose a serious threat to the regime. The Basij militia – one of the most powerful paramilitary organisations, comprising for the most part volunteers between the ages of fifteen and 30 from rural areas or poorer areas in larger cities – armed with clubs and chains, seemed eager for confrontation and used force unhesitatingly. Riot police stood by with machine guns in case things got out of control, and the threat they represented was a significant factor in preventing the protests from spreading more widely. At one point police clashed with overzealous Basij members for attacking peaceful protesters, fearful that their impulsive provocations would exacerbate unrest."

Document(s): Open document

16.06.2003 - Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung

Tausende fordern Rücktritt von Chamenei ("Tausende fordern Rücktritt von Chamenei") [#14064],  [ID 9508]

14.06.2003 - Source: Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Es gärt weiter unter Teherans Studenten ("Es gärt weiter unter Teherans Studenten") [#14063],  [ID 9509]

16.12.2002 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL): Article on the 'Men in Plainclothes' ("Iran Report - 16 December 2002, Volume 5, Number 46") [#10703],  [ID 9510]

"CRACKDOWN ON 'MEN IN PLAINCLOTHES.' Whenever there is a public gathering or demonstration in Iran, one sees the "men in plainclothes," which is a term for hard-line vigilantes who usually are members of the Ansar-i Hizbullah and/or Basij Resistance Force. In the past the vigilantes stood out because of their appearance -- beards and black clothing -- but now they sometimes are clean-shaven and wear regular clothing. The state has promised to act against them, but there is little confidence that this will occur especially because of their high-level connections. For example, Ansar-i Hizbullah is connected with Guardians Council head Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, it gets funding from the Oppressed and Disabled Foundation, and its membership is drawn from war veterans and the Basij.

Fazlollah Salavati from Isfahan told RFE/RL correspondent Siavash Ardalan on 11 December that these hard-line thugs are an embarrassment to society and the country. The security forces know who these people are, he said, but they have not acted against them. Salavati said that civilians should not try to stop the vigilantes because there would be bloodshed, and he added that this is the security forces' job.

Iranian political commentator Nima Rashedan told RFE/RL that the hard-line groups are not a postrevolution innovation. He said that the current batch of thugs is affiliated with Hussein Allah-Karam, Haj Akbar Nojavan, and Khadem Al-Husseini, who are all associated with Iran's current leadership.

Some Iranian government officials have indicated a desire to restrain the vigilante groups. Interior Ministry official Ali Baqeri said in a 10 December IRNA interview that his organization and the Law Enforcement Forces have decided to act to prevent the presence of vigilantes at gatherings and demonstrations. Baqeri said that authorities know some of these individuals, and their disruption of meetings "undermines the authority" of official organizations. Baqeri pointed out that the vigilantes have the unofficial backing of high-ranking officials, even though their organizations are unlicensed: "There are some influential groups that are currently active without the necessary license and some prominent figures of the state attend their meetings."

A practical example of this new policy might be the security force's efforts on 7 December to keep rival groups apart during the Student Day demonstrations. Tehran Governorate security official Ali Taala said the next day that arrest warrants for the plainclothes individuals have been issued, IRNA reported. "A number of such people have been identified and will be arrested if they are seen again on the sidelines of these events," he said, adding that "all organs have come to the conclusion that the presence of such individuals causes more trouble." (Bill Samii)"

Document(s): refrl-irn161202.html
Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

UK Home Office: The Basij have been active in monitoring the activities of citizens, enforcing the hijab and arresting women for violating the dress code ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 9511]

"4.39. The Basij, or Baseej (paramilitary volunteer forces), come under the control of the Revolutionary Guards. They have been active in monitoring the activities of citizens, enforcing the hijab and arresting women for violating the dress code, and seizing 'indecent' material and satellite dish antennae. . In May 1999 the Minister of Islamic Culture and Guidance stated in public remarks that the Government might support an easing of the satellite ban. However, Supreme Leader Khamenei, who makes the ultimate determination on issues that involve radio and television broadcasting, quickly criticised any potential change as amounting to “surrender” to Western culture, effectively ending any further debate of the idea. The “Special Basijis” are not permitted to participate in political parties or groups, although other members of the Basij can belong to political associations if they are not on a Basij mission and do not use the name or resources of the Basij for the association. Basijis can participate in specialist or trade associations."

Document(s): Open document

05.08.2002 - Source: International Crisis Group

ICG: The Basij militia is the most powerful paramilitary organisation in Iran ("Iran: The Struggle for the Revolution´s Soul") [#8214],  [ID 9512]

"Next to the Revolutionary Guards, the Basij militia is the most powerful paramilitary organisation in Iran. It was established by Ayatollah Khomeini’s 1979 decree ordering the creation of an “Army of 20 Million” to protect the Islamic Republic against both the U.S. and domestic enemies.43 The Basij generally recruits young volunteers between the ages of eleven and seventeen from rural areas or poorer areas in larger cities. Most “Basijis” are ideologically motivated and deeply religious but poorly educated. During the Iraq War, after taking crash military courses under the Revolutionary Guards and ideological indoctrination from “clerical commissars”, they suffered heavy casualties. Formally, the Basij falls under the command of the Revolutionary Guards. Due to its zeal, the Basij is often employed – with special Revolutionary Guards units – when it is believed necessary to use extreme measures to repress dissent or protest. According to some estimates, there are some 90,000 armed men in Basij militia."

Document(s): Open document
00851irn.pdf

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: The paramilitary force, Sepah-e Basiji, consists of an estimated 300,000 men ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 9513]

"The Mobilization of the Dispossessed, or Sepah-e Basiji, a paramilitary force who are some 300,000 strong. The Basiji were created to help the military campaign against Iraq in the years 1980-1988. Members are reportedly recruited from farms, factories, schools and government offices, i.e. from all parts of the population. Their tasks include monitoring the daily lives of the citizens, combatting social corruption including ensuring that the clothing and behaviour of women conforms to strict Islamic rules. Structurally, the Basiji are part of the Army, and comprise those conscripts with a more zealous religious agenda. It is not clear, however, if they are separated into special units or bataillons solely on this basis. Concerning connections with the Pasdaran, it is quite plausible that a Pasdaran approached a Basij and gave him orders. Still, this would rather have to be seen along the lines of this person being a senior military officer, someone who is notionally superior to a conscript or low-ranking officer."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

08.1998 - Source:

Federation of American Scientists (FAS): Baseej ("Federation of American Scientists (FAS): Baseej") [ID 9514]

"The Baseej (volunteers) come under the control of the Revolutionary Guards. In 1988, up to 900,000 baseej were mobilized. The Baseej allegedly also monitor the activities of citizens, and harass or arrest women whose clothing does not cover the hair and all of the body except hands and face, or those who wear makeup. During the year ending in June 1995, they reportedly "notified 907,246 people verbally and issued 370,079 written notices against ‘social corruption’ and arrested 86,190 people, and also broke up 542 ‘corrupt gangs’, arresting their 2,618 members, and seized 86,597 indecent videocassettes and photographs. [...]

In August 1994, some Pasdaran units, rushed to quell riots in the city of Ghazvin, 150 km. west of Tehran, reportedly refused orders from the Interior Minister to intervene in the clashes, which left more than 30 people dead, 400 wounded and over 1,000 arrested. Subsequently, senior officers in the army, air force and the usually loyal Islamic Revolutionary Guard reportedly stated that they would no longer order their troops into battle to quell civil disorder. A Pasdaran commander was among four senior army officers who are said to have sent a letter to the country's political leadership, warning the clerical rulers against "using the armed forces to crush civilian unrest and internal conflicts." In a communiqué sent to Ayatollah Ali Khameini, stated that "the role of the country’s armed forces is to defend its borders and to repel foreign enemies from its soil, not to control the internal situation or to strengthen one political faction above another." They are said to have then recommended the use of Baseej volunteers for this purpose. In a move believed to indicate a shift in the trust of the ruling clerics from the Pasdaran to the Baseej volunteer force, on 17 April 1995 Ayatollah Ali Khameini reportedly promoted a civilian, veterinary surgeon Hassan Firuzabadi, to the rank of full general, placing him above both Brigadier-General Mohsen Rezai, commander-in-chief of the Pasdaran and Brigadier General Ali Shahbazi of the regular armed forces."

Document(s): Federation of American Scientists (FAS): Baseej