In a letter on behalf of nearly three-quarters of Members of Parliament, to the Prime Minster of Luxembourg, Mrs. Lydie Err, Chairman of the Parliament's Foreign and European Affairs commission, urged him to "take the courageous and necessary initiative to adopt a firm policy against the flagrant violations of human rights and the spread of terrorism by the Iranian regime."

"The time has come to take practical steps toward establishing democracy in Iran and peace and stability in the region by boycotting the regime and supporting the Iranian Resistance and its President-elect, Maryam Rajavi, as the symbol of unity for the majority of the Iranian people," the letter said.

Iran's Youth Frustrated with Undelivered Promises, Associated Press, October 23

TEHRAN - Iran's youth poured into the streets 18 years ago and with clenched fists shouted: "Death to the Shah!" -- joining with Islamic revolutionaries to topple the 2,500-year-old monarchy….

Today's young Iranians are waiting to see whether their president will deliver on his campaign promise to ease suffocating social restrictions and give the young the freedom they crave…

Almost everyone interviewed complained about the harsh treatment they received at the hands of the vice squads, which still roam the streets keeping a check on behavior and appearance….

The frustration among many with the lack of change so far has become more apparent as the euphoria over Khatami's victory fades.

A sense of aimlessness seems to reign over Iranian youths who still complain of joblessness and a lack of things to do….

Khatami's Hollow Promises for "Rule of Law", Agence France Presse, October 26

TEHRAN - Some 200 hardline Islamic militiamen disrupted a traditional music concert in a city in central Iran despite pledges by the new government to enhance artistic and cultural freedom, a newspaper said Sunday….

They [Islamic loyalists, known as the Basiji] loudly chanted religious verses to disrupt the program, which was due to be performed for three consecutive nights to mark the birth of the daughter of prophet Mohammad, the English-language Iran Daily said….

The Basiji, who operate out of mosques and militia bases throughout the country, are self-styled guardians of Islamic and revolutionary values, and are backed by the regime's conservative faction.

They often stage boisterous rallies against signs of Western culture in the more fashionable districts of big cities, or disrupt entertainment events or political gatherings by opposition groups….

Six Hanged in Public in Iran, Agence France Presse, October 25 

TEHRAN - Six people, including a government official, were hanged in public in northern Iran for running a prostitution ring, a newspaper reported Saturday.

The six were accused by a revolutionary court in Sari, the main town in Mazandaran province, of operating a "corruption house and seducing boys and girls," Kayhan daily said.

The six, one of whom was working for the province's anti-drug squad, were executed this week in front of a crowd of 3,000 people in Sari, it added. Another 13 people were given lashes and sent into to exile….

Tehran Mayor Summoned to Court, Agence France Presse, October 24

TEHRAN - Iran's chief justice Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi told the embattled mayor of Tehran on Friday to appear before a court to explain fraud charges involving his municipality or risk getting arrested.

"Being a member of the Government Council is no impediment for summoning a person," Yazdi said in a speech before Friday prayers at Tehran University, addressing mayor Gholam-Hossein Karbaschi….

The municipality has been plagued by a wave of corruption scandals, leading to the arrest of four district mayors and several other senior officials. Two district chiefs have been given lengthy jail terms after public trials.

Karbaschi has been the target of attacks by hardline Islamic conservatives who demand his arrest for alleged mismanagement during eight years at the helm of the huge municipality, and of trying to obstruct justice….

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