Iran’s former president Mohammad Khatami has called for the release of jailed workers, teachers, students and professors , as well as removal of restrictions on political activists.

Khatami whose term in office from 1997-2005 signified the era of reforms in the Islamic Republic, in a video message at the start of the educational year emphasized that universities are in essence venues of political activities and students are inherently idealists.

From its very inception, the Islamic Republic has strictly controlled all educational curriculum, imposing its version of an Islamic and political ideology and tried to control student activities. However, in recent years as political dissent has increased, many students have been arrested, jailed or expelled from universities.

Various intelligence organs, especially the Revolutionary Guard’s Basij and intelligence organizations maintain a heavy presence on campuses, collecting information and intimidating dissident students.

Khatami in his message has also condemned the “security” atmosphere prevailing in universities insisting that political activities should be allowed at higher education institutions.

Khatami, who has been mostly banned from political, media and public activities is occasionally allowed to issue a statement. On this occasion, he has argued that imposing strict controls does not banish politics from universities; instead it pushes some students toward activities that are “harmful to them and to the country”.

The former president might be referring to the emergence of more radical political views, often rejecting the very existence of the current political system.

Khatami who was elected with overwhelming popular support did not succeed in his reform strategy, as conservatives and the Revolutionary Guard clamped down on the media and dissidents, while he was either unable or unwilling to challenge them.

Opponents of the Islamic Republic argue that inherently reform is impossible in the current political system, dominated by the clergy and the military. They find Khatami and like-minded “reformists” who try to preserve some degree of freedoms and citizen rights, essentially as supporters of the religious state who try to save it by adopting softer approaches.

In his message Khatami also expressed concern over the high rate of emigration by university students, graduates and professors. Millions of educated Iranians have left the country in the past four decades; either to escape from political and cultural repression or to have better economic opportunities in the West. Iran’s economic growth under the Islamic republic has been anemic at best and the system is rigged in favor of insiders who are trusted regime supporters.

The former president also criticized Iran’s higher education, saying the system has not developed in a useful direction and does not serve society’s needs. Although universities have expanded quantitatively but they lag qualitatively, Khatami maintained.

Iran’s current president Hassan Rouhani has also said that universities should have a “safe” not a “security” atmosphere.