Iran: The first Democratic Digital Revolution?

The political situation in Iran must concern us all. Not for the unequivocal humanitarian and human rights involved. The news reaching us are worrying. At this time at 17:20 pm on June 16, 2009, we have confirmation of troop movements in order to suppress the surge to demand democratic guarantees in the country even though they were citizens to protest the "rigging elections "have changed their place of manifestation, to avoid clashes with supporters of Ahmadinejad .

The question is clear, the increased power and nepotistic theocratic Ahmadinejad-Khamenei tandem is in the course of local history in Iran. Do not forget that Ali Khamenei did everything possible against the legitimate government of Khatami when it is seized power in Iran in the mid 90's. At that time the West and particularly the U.S. and the EU had a golden opportunity to help Iran to initiate a proper democratic way that fits the values of their society. The openness Khamenei, had to fight against the "opposition" from the inside out and mistrust (accentuated by the arrival in the White House of George Bush Jr. and his hawks) in a war that led to the past.

Remarks about this: at that time to be President of ECOSY I had the opportunity on several occasions to dialogue with the Iranian Ambassador to Spain and some of his advisers and I can say that his attitude was to open new avenues of collaboration with the West. I noticed also always sensed that this attitude might bring them the chance to become a regional power in half (with the acquiescence of the UN and the international community), once you solve their problems with Israel. But the current reality swung and worrying situation.

However, after the fall of Saddam (and thus of Iraq, their main enemy, the Sunni minority used to crush the Shiite majority, and that in Iran, overwhelmingly Shiite came at a price), the pending troubles the once powerful enemy across the border, disappeared, so that leaves only another that concerns them and motivates them: Israel, and that for a theocracy is a candy that can not be missed.

But the reality is that the population of Iran is stubborn. On one side is one of the youngest populations on the planet Earth, which if not known guide and give proper personal and professional output can be a "sleeper" that ultimately can be dangerous, if we fail to channel their needs. On the other hand Khatami's mandate, the women saw a relaxation in the implementation of sharia. They were also certain quotas of emancipation permition unknown in neighboring countries. On this deduce what is happening, how women are going to tolerate that after a period in which they had "social visibility" become the worst of times?.

These two factors undoubtedly help both young people and women are thrown to the streets to support a change. Out of the Ahmadinejad regime for corruption, international conflict, blocking social reforms and the feeling that the country does not advance But if the followers of the Islamic revolution, everything is a breeding ground that is leading to this situation.

The question is, Iranian society is ready for a change of this size. The Daily Telegraph announced yesterday that it had evidence that Ahmadinejad had been third, hence the widespread public perception that the result was a rigging, and considering that the presumptive winner Mousavi, only has the band of "being something openness ". I guess people are seeing the opportunity to do something to bring about change, weary of the current political situation.

One thing is clear: we are at the first digital revolution in which peaceful citizen media like Facebook and Twitter are playing an enormous task. Today I am receiving and issuing tweets from around the world (including from people who are in Iran) online reporting about what is happening in Tehran. Even the government's attacks against Iranian users of social networks, not amedentran, quite the contrary. And is that for the first time, who launched the distress messages not only know that they come, if not at the other side is a huge network of informed and concerned citizens to expand the voice of those who see severed the other in the today. So this is a true act of hyperpolitics, policy and check for citizens (C2C) without having to intervene governments or media.