TEHRAN — Code Pink, an internationally active NGO working to end U.S.-funded wars and occupations, paid a visit to a permanent fair highlighting social achievements of the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam to empower the deprived and eliminate deprivation on Tuesday.

Code Pink is a women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives and aiming to redirect resources into health care, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities.

The organization was founded in fall 2002 as a grassroots effort to prevent the U.S. war on Iraq, and to continue to organize for justice for Iraqis and to hold war criminals accountable. The group actively oppose the continuing U.S. war in Afghanistan, torture, the detention center at Guantanamo, spy drones, and U.S. support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine and repressive regimes.

The group’s visit to Iran, from February 23-March 3, is organized as a reaction to the U.S. administration’s uncompromising attitudes towards Iran. A coalition of peace groups has put together a peace delegation to Iran in an attempt to have a significant impact in helping move the two nations from a place of hostility and military threats to a place of mutual respect and peace with one another.

The group paid a short visit to the fair and were briefed on the achievements of the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, especially efforts exerted on empowering breadwinner women and creating jobs for them.

Over their short stay they have also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. The group has also paid a visit to the Iranian Parliament (Majlis).

Code Pink has also visited Tajrish Bazaar, a market in northern Tehran.

“Great day today visiting Tajrish Bazaar on our peace delegation. We made new friends and heard stories about sanctions,” co-founder of Code Pink Medea Benjamin tweeted on Tuesday.

Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam

Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, also known as Setad-e Ejraiye Farman-e Hazrat-e Emam, was founded in 1989. In the Iranian calendar year 1386 (March 2017-March 2018) Barekat charity foundation- the social arm of the organization- with the aim of promoting social justice was established.

Socio-economic empowerment of the communities by encouraging entrepreneurship prioritizing breadwinner women, developing infrastructure such as water supply schemes, power grid, and road building, constructing schools and increasing educational spaces, promoting health for all, granting non-repayable loans and insurance especially in less developed areas and regions most affected by 1980s war and natural disasters are of the priorities of the charity foundation.

Barekat-tel: telemedicine

Using a domestically produced testing device in three pilot villages in Iran the patients’ cholesterol level, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc. will be measured and the test results will be remotely viewed to a doctor.

Telemedicine is the use of telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical health care from a distance.

The scheme is now being piloted in three villages in Kermanshah, western Iran; East Azarbaijan, northwestern Iran; and Sistan-Baluchestan, southeastern Iran.

Creating a health profiles for the residents and following up on patients’ condition including those suffering diabetes or pregnant women will promote social justice for health.

The programs are supervised universities of medical sciences in the aforesaid provinces.

Improving healthcare

Barekat charity foundation also have invested in pharmaceutical industry producing cancer medications, raw material for anti-biotic, medications for heart diseases, herbal medicine to cure diabetes (which is in clinical trial phase), as well as cell therapy and regenerative medicine.

Social empowerment

Moreover, providing non-repayable loans to the people suffering refractory diseases such as cancer, orphaned children and newlywed couples are of the other achievements of the charity foundation.

Offering cochlear implants for the deprived hearing impaired children, and infertility treatment for infertile couples are also underway in the foundation.

MQ/MG