Cecilia Malmström (FP) has nominated the Iranian referendum movement for the Sakharov Prize

Today I have nominated the 'Iranian Referendum Movement' for the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize. 'The referendum initiative' is a unique experiment to unite the democratic opposition in Iran under the common goal of holding a referendum on a new democratic statute.

There has been little progress towards democracy and improvements in human rights in Iran over recent years. Hundreds of reform candidates, standing in tomorrow's Presidential election, have been stopped by the powerful Council of Guardians to run. Therefore the 'Referendum Initiative' offers a glimmer of hope and surely worth supporting, says Cecilia Malmström (lib).

Iran is a fantastic country with potential to play an important role in the region but that is entirely dependent on its internal development. The Iranian people have the right to live in democracy and liberty. We, that already enjoy the benefits of living in democratic countries, have an obligation to support those that are trying to reach their goal through non-violent protest.

So far there has been over 36 000 signatures of Iranians, in Iran and in exile, on the manifesto, but there thousands of Iranian supporters that do not dare add their name. More information is available on www.60000000.com/index-eng.php3
'Referendum Initiative' was started in December 2004 in Iran with eight individuals from the opposition and they began work gathering signatures. The purpose is to highlight support for "a National Referendum with a free participation of the

Iranian people under the supervision of appropriate international institutions and observers, for the drafting of a new constitution that is compatible with the universal declaration of human rights". The initiative is supported by various democratic forces from the right and left, Republicans and monarchist, intellectuals, authors and political dissident, both in and outside Iran.

The Sakharov Prize was established 1988 and is awarded annually to a person or organization that works for democracy, human rights and defense of freedom of speech. Among earlier prize winner you can find Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, Oslobodjene, Oswaldo Payas and The Belarusian Association of Journalists.

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