Politically Iran is once again at the crossroads of history. The choices it will make will have long lasting consequences and impact on setting the stage for, at least, the next few decades.

This crossroad is of great importance to Iranians, and for that matter, the most volatile region of the world, the Middle East. Iran's two decades of experimenting with life, economics and politics under the rigidity of an ideological regime - denying its citizens basic human rights and freedom of thought and expression - today positions it favourably to recover from this costly but priceless experience, and thus contribute and lead the way on the institutionalisation of democracy in the region.

Just as the 1979 political upheaval in Iran caused a domino effect in spreading religious fundamentalism in the region, there is good reason to be hopeful that a democratic Iran will serve as a model for the region's future. To better illustrate this thought, one can refer to Europe's Inquisition and its aftermath, as a model for a post-theocratic Iran.

In the last 23 years Iran has witnessed the creation of a religious dictatorship under the Velayat Faqih principle - the first of its kind in modern era – but also attempts to reform the system from within at great personal risk. As a result, the world is still trying to figure out how to decipher the multitude of mixed messages that are emanating out of Tehran. And, in pursuit of a solution for the Iranian dilemma, there are legitimate concerns as how to best support the democratic and secular movement in this long-suffering country.

The free and democratic world must do a better job in articulating and extending its moral support for the democratic movement in Iran. The West in particular needs to invest in the budding, yet vigorous, popular opposition that has been brewing against the ruling clerics in Iran.

Recent international developments have naturally triggered a vibrant and important debate among those who continue to persist on finding "moderates" within the Iranian theocracy, and those who accurately see the regime, in its totality, for what it is - a brutally suppressive and undemocratic system of religious governance, which is out of touch with its own people.

Persons of great courage, intellect and understanding have emerged in Iran. They have for the most part been imprisoned for having voiced their dissent.

Since 1979 thousands of people were executed or assassinated for their political and religious views and yet many of the killers have escaped justice and become part of the ruling elite immune from domestic and International prosecution.

Contradictions between the need to preserve the status quo and address the growing needs of a new generation has revealed the weakness of the ruling clerics and their reluctance to deliver to the people what they want: a civil society, tolerance, freedom and democracy.

In no uncertain terms, the 50 million youth of Iran want secularism, freedom, economic opportunity and modernity - all of this under a transparent and accountable system of government. They aspire fundamental change and have come to the painful realization that the only way they can reach their goal is through a non-violent regime change in Iran.

Furthermore, many clergymen worried about the damage caused to the faith have begun to distance themselves from the Velayat Faqih.

The Iranian people want a democratic constitution: One that fully respects, recognizes and implements the human and political rights of the Iranian people. They aspire a change in the ideology ruling our land: that is secularism, modernity and democracy instead of theological dominance of the socio-politico-economic landscape. And finally they demand the dismantling of the corrupt institutions of power.

The world has witnessed the dawn of new democracies, brought about by successful non-violent struggles, civil disobedience and mass resistance movements, from Africa to Latin America and through Eastern Europe. Why should Iran be any different?

Imagine for one moment a secular and democratic Iran wherein its prosperous economy gives every Iranian an equal chance for hope, creativity, and opportunity; an Iran where its mothers and daughters fully participate in the political, socio-economic and cultural life of their homeland; an Iran where its press is free from intimidation, harassment, imprisonment and torture; an Iran free from political prisoners where no one will ever again fear persecution or execution for holding a religious or political belief; an Iran which will, in its version of a post-inquisition Renaissance, build its foundation on age-old Persian principles of tolerance and pluralism.

This vision includes a progressive, civil and stable society in which the separation of Religion and State is realized. Finally, the Iran of tomorrow will be best served by the pursuit of a foreign policy based on principles of peace, harmony, trust, mutual respect and diplomacy.

Such an Iran may become an example to other countries in the Middle East which also enjoy a young population eager for a better life and more freedoms.

Wherever they are, be it in the Americas or Europe, Asia or the Oceania, they must raise the volume and remind Western governments that everyday in their homeland, basic human freedoms of speech, thought, press and assembly, taken for granted by the free world, are brutally crushed.

They must tell the world that not a day goes by without reports of new arrests, disappearances and harassment of citizens, journalists and those with alternate points of view. The world must care, and not allow such acts to go unchallenged.

Governments and business sectors alike bear a special moral responsibility to invest in the people of Iran, and not the brutal religious dictatorship ruling it. They need to be reminded that ultimately, investments in people far outlast investments in regimes - especially those in direct conflict with their own people. Let them be reminded that, for the most part, the very same proceeds resulting from deals made with the clerical regime end up financing and fuelling its various instruments of repression at home and international terror abroad.

In support of this important goal and vision, Iranians must not lose any chance to raise the heat on the international media as well as world leaders - political or economic - to relentlessly press the clerical regime to release all political prisoners, reverse the ban on press freedoms and political parties, and push for the unconditional acceptance of a, free, fair, democratic, and transparent national referendum, under international observation, as a means to guarantee self-determination and freedom for the people of Iran.

More than 70 million people in Iran are demanding that their voice be heard. They yearn to end years of backwardness, obscurantism, rigidity, radicalism, poverty, corruption, and incivility. They dream to move oil-rich Iran forward into the modern age, something that was violently interrupted by the 1979 upheavals, and to build a future that will truly reflect their historic aspirations.

The West and the Iranian Diaspora can play a critical role in bringing freedom and justice to Iran. Not doing so will only sow the seeds for greater crimes against humanity and instability in the already volatile Middle East. It is also a question of drawing the line between universal human values and crude barbarism in the name of religion. ENDS WHAT IRANIANS WANT 5602

Editor’s note: Mr. Kadivar is a scholar and author living in Paris. He wrote the above article for the Paris-based "Iran va Jahan" (Iran and the World) website that published it on 31 May.

Highlights are from IPS