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Basij (or Baseej, Persian: بسیج), is the Iranian paramilitary force, which was founded by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in November of 1979 to provide volunteers for the front, mainly to carry out human wave attacks during the Iran-Iraq War. The Basij are currently a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They are armed and during peaceful times work with other law enforcement entities to enforce Iran's Islamic codes, and have a branch in almost every Iranian mosque.
Organisation, personnel number and duties
Basij commander Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi estimated the number of Basij personnel at 10.3 million in March 2004 and 11 million in March 2005. Russian news sources have claimed Iran has plans to make a third ground force consisting of one million basij members. However these plans have not been confirmed by Iran.
Fars News Agency reported. "Among the most important tasks of the Basij are boosting everlasting security, strengthening development infrastructures, equipping resistance bases, increasing employment," Hejazi added. He described the prohibition of vice and the promotion of virtue in society as the "divine policy" of the Basij.
Member Profile and benefits
The typical member will be male and the average age can range from 12 on up. Members of Basiji usually get a couple of months slashed off their compulsory military service, which would last 21 months for every eligible man in Iran. It is easier for the Basijis to obtain University entry due to the fact that government universities have a quota reserved for the Basijis, regardles of merit. Numerous benefits and subsidies are provided for them and their families, as social support and activities.
Human rights issues
Following the UNHCR "tens of thousands of Basijis had been ordered to prowl about every factory, office and school to ensure that everyone adhered to the Islamic code. After the summer 1992 riots Basij units were revived, rearmed and sent out into the streets to help enforce Islamic law. The Basijis are reportedly under the control of local mosques. It was further said that the Basijis set up checkpoints around the cities and stopped cars to sniff their occupant's breath for alcohol and check for women wearing make-up or travelling with a man not their close relative or husband. It was reported that the Law of Judicial Support for the Basijis, published in the Official Gazette No. 13946 of 8.10.1371 (December 1992), provided no redress against arbitrary detention by the Basijis." Iran's permanent representative to the U.N. denied these charges.
Amnesty International tells that "investigations by Parliament and the National Security Council indicated that actions by Revolutionary Guard officials and Basij (Mobilization) forces, among others, precipitated the unrest and injuries following the July 1999 students demonstrations".
See also
External links
- BSO Official website
- Final report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, UNHCR, (E/CN.4/1994/50)
- Report 2001, Islamic Republic of Iran, Amnesty International
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