“Do You Want to Rule in the Name of the Majority?”
Tabarzadi Warns from Prison: “Do Not Accept the Tyranny of Numbers!”
Tehran, February 24, 2026 – Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, journalist and political activist, sent an audio message from prison, expressing serious concerns about the future of the revolution and democracy in Iran. He emphasized the importance of pluralism, federalism, and respecting the rights of minorities.
Tabarzadi said, “If our revolution succeeds but democratic culture and respect for others are not established, dictatorship will return in another form.” Referring to the experience of the 1979 revolution, he warned that excluding “the other” is the start of any tyranny, and history shows that majorities have no right to erase minorities.
He stressed the diversity and multi-ethnic nature of Iran: “Iran is made up of different ethnic groups and nationalities. Their identities, languages, and cultures must be recognized through dialogue and agreement on common principles for progress and freedom.”
Tabarzadi also highlighted the need to separate religion from government and to challenge patriarchal culture: “Secularism is a fundamental condition for democracy, and full gender equality must be ensured in line with human rights.”
He referred to philosophical ideas of subjectivity and perspective, explaining that “every person sees reality from their own point of view, and real democracy requires accepting differences and different perspectives.”
Addressing political groups in Iran, he emphasized: “No majority has the right to remove minorities. All political currents must be represented in the future constituent assembly.” He warned that without a democratic culture, a revolution could simply reproduce authoritarianism, and Iran’s experience shows that power without pluralism leads to violence and authoritarian rule.
This message was sent via a prison phone call, and the audio occasionally reflects the limitations of the prison environment. Despite this, Tabarzadi’s message is clear: lasting democracy in Iran can only be achieved through acceptance of the “other,” pluralism, federalism, gender equality, and respect for religious and cultural diversity.