Iranian reformers on Wednesday called for a referendum to end the “crisis” sparked by more than seven weeks of protests that escalated over the death in custody of Mercer Amini.
The Islamic Republic has been rocked by street riots following the death of Amini, who was arrested by the moral police on suspicion of violating Shari’a’s strict dress code for women.
“The Iran Reform Front calls for immediate, courageous and transformative change,” in order to open “an effective nationwide dialogue,” it said in a statement posted online.
Founded in March 2021 by officials close to former President Mohammed Khatami, the Reform Front is made up of parties in the country’s reformist camp.
“This first action is possible even by relying on the current constitution and implementing it fully, including Article 59 on the organization of referendums,” the statement said.
The Iranian Constitution provides for the organization of “referendums and direct references to referendums” on important political, economic, social and cultural issues.
“Practical decisions by national leaders in this area can effectively stem the crisis and open the horizons for disappointed, frustrated and angry citizens,” the alliance added.
Dozens of people have been killed since the protests began, mostly protesters but also members of the security forces.
Thousands more were arrested during the demonstrations, which authorities commonly called “riots.”
More than 2,000 people have been indicted since the protests began, half of them in Tehran alone, according to judicial authorities.
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