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Kurdish National Congress of North America
| Kurdish American Committee for Democracy in Iran
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It is
difficult to sum up an incredible human being and recognized him in a
few sentences, however, if any man will be remembered and footnoted in
Iranian and Kurdish history in our modern world, Mr. Adab will be one
of them.
He
was an extraordinary man on many dimensions, an earthly, empathetic
human being, and a professional in the field of Civil engineer, a
leader who bravely brought out the issues of the Kurdish people and
represented their needs in the Iranian parliament.
We want to recognize his greatness and accomplishments through out his short-lived rich life.
Mr.
Adab truly believed on friendship among Iranian decent, he believed
that culture can play a major role in our growth and triumph and he
worked devotedly to ensure that our culture remains established and
alive.
We realize the road he has paved, as the one of the first leader within Iran
to create a Kurdish front, a true politician and strategist, he
courageously created unity and voiced the unheard needs of his people
and we encourage all to follow in his lead.
We believe
that his loss will create a vacuum in the political atmosphere of Iran and we hope others will pick up where he left off and strengthen the Kurdish front.
Azad Moradian
Chair of Kurdish American Committee for Democracy in Iran
Los Angeles, CA
818.434.9692
http://www.vokradio.com "Road to Democracy: Full Political and Human Rights in Iran”
May 30th 2006,
The Russell Office Building of
the US Senate , Washington, DC.
|
Kurdish National Congress of North America
&
Kurdish American Committee for Democracy in Iran
P.O. Box 545, Millersville,
MD 21108
(408) 834-5557
PRESS RELEASE
Road to Democracy: Full Political and Human Rights in Iran
May 30, 2006 - Russell Senate Office Building, Caucus Room
While the world is moving towards ever-greater recognition of cultural and political rights of many small nations, the ethnic groups in Iran are left out of this global process. Institutionalized racism against Kurds, Balooch, Azary, Turkman and Arab along with prosecution of religious minorities and women is a hardship that majority of Iranians have unfortunately been subject to for decades. This is precisely why any meaningful strategy and formidable force against the current regime will have to be developed from the already deep-rooted struggles and mature organizations of these groups.
The current climate in Iran has deprived Persians of their political freedom as well as all other ethnic groups and minorities. In this authoritarian country any voice of descent is stifled brutally regardless of its source. It is easily recognizable that ethnic opposition groups and sectarian political parties must unite to bring an end to this reign of terror in Iran. This responsibility is even greater now with the looming danger that this regime might develop nuclear weapons in the near future.
The Kurdish National Congress of North America and The Kurdish American Committee for Democracy in Iran will hold a one-day conference to discuss ?Road to Democracy - Full Political and Human Rights in Iran?.
Venue/Date: Russell Senate Office Building, Caucus Room (SR325),
Washington DC, USA
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 1:00 PM -5:00 PM
Program Summary:
1:00 -1:30 Guest Speakers
1:30 - 3:00 Discussion Session: Denial of Human and Political Rights to Ethnic Groups, Religious Minorities and Women
3:00 - 3:15 Coffee Break
3:15 - 4:45 Discussion Session: Role of Ethnic Groups and Their Political Parties in Forming the Future of Iran
4: 45 - 5:00 Closing Remarks
For more information tel: +1.408.834.5557
email: knc@kurdishnationalcongress.org
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|  | Road to Democracy: Full political and human rights in Iran
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Friday, June 02, 2006
By Mustafa Hejri
| Mustafa
Hejri is the Secretary General of the Kurdistan Democratic Pary of Iran
(KDPI), one of the major Kurdish political movements in Iranian
Kurdistan. The following speech was delivered by Mr. Hejri at the “Road
to Democracy: Full Political and Human Rights in Iran” conference,
which occurred on 30 May at the Russell Office Building of the US
Senate in Washington, DC.
Honorable Members of Congress, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
In
the early days of establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in
1979, the regime without any due regards for the international law,
took the American embassy diplomats hostage for 444 days.
Today
27 years later, the overwhelming majority of the Iranian public are
hostages of the regime. Women, journalists and free-minded people in
general and oppressed nationalities in particular are amongst the
worst. This extensive oppression and brutality are the direct results
of the Islamic belief and ideology of “Velayete Motlaqe Fageh” or
indisputable rule by Islamic jurisprudence, which is a peculiarity of
the Islamic Republic regime.
The Islamic theology of the
Velayete Motlaqe Fageh treat women as second-class citizens. Calls for
freedom and democratic rights are portrayed as interference with the
divine rules and are heavily punished. Any question of political rights
is considered divisive and seen as weakening Islam. Demand for national
rights is labelled as a separatist movment supported by America and
Isreal and is most brutally suppressed.
So far, the regime has
prosecuted thousands of national rights activists of Kurdish, Arabs,
Baluch, Turkeman and Azeri’s with separatist offences. They have been
forced to flee their homes; their belongings have been confiscated;
they have been imprisoned and even executed. To further illustrate the
effects of the regime’s policy towards nationalities, I refer to the
Kurdish situation as an example.
The Kurdistan Democratic Pary
of Iran (KDPI), which is at the forefront of the Kurdish democratic
movement in Iran so far, has lost two of its general secretaries as the
result of the regime’s terrorist acts. First in 1989 in Vienna, Dr.
Qasemlu was assassinated by the regime’s diplomats while negotiating
with them in search of a peaceful solutions to the Kurdish question.
The agents of the regime also murdered Dr. Sharafkandi in 1992 prior to
the meeting of the Socialist International in Berlin. Consequently, the
Berlin court found the highest-ranking members of the regime, namely
the supreme leader and president, guilty of plotting the murder of Dr.
Sharafkandi and his colleagues.
The
Islamic Republic regime has also ordered the murder of hundreds of
other activists of the KDPI and other organizations both inside and
outside Iran. It is quite normal in Iran for a peaceful demonstration
by the people to end with the regimes forces up killing and injuring of
tens of demonstrators. These are but a few examples of the brutality
experienced by the people at the hands of the regime on daily basis.
These are
all in a addition to the poverty, unemployment and abuse of narcotics,
which is high, and on the increase particularly amongst the youth. The
sense of hopelessness and lack of a bright future has resulted in a
sharp increase in various psychological disorders amongst this group in
the past few years.
In short, this is the general situation
today in Iran, which is the direct result of a small group imposing
their rule on society and taking over all the levers of power. As I
mentioned previously, all of Iran’s people, its wealth and fortunes are
hostage in the hands of this group.
The internationl aspects
of the regime’s policies are probably clearer for my honorable friends.
Interference in the international affairs of other countries,
supporting and encouraging the extremist elements in Palestine and in
other neighbouring countries, particularly in Iraq in the last few
years, is the cornerstone of this policy.
The regime’s
unquestionable support for international terrorism and ultimately the
nuclear energy standoff has put peace in the region in jeopardy. The
implications of this policy are becoming increasingly more serious for
the international community. In his speech of 11th of April, president
Ahmadinejad informed the world of the news that they have been able to
enrich uranium. We have no doubts that the ultimate intention of the
regime is to acquire nuclear weopons.
What I have briefly
explained is an accurate account of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s
policies in the past and present, which in my opinion will continue to
the future. However, in each stage, the regime may implement the policy
differently in the most cost effective way for them. This means that
the government of Iran is determined in their strategic goals and not
prepared to retreat from it. What may be in question are the tactics
the regime uses to achieve their ultimate goals.
If we can analyse the
actions and policies of the regime from the early days of coming to
power up to now, both inside and outside Iran, their tactics will
become clearer to us. From the early days of the revolution to the
eight years war with Iraq and bringing to power of the so-called
reformist group, from the stage-managed election for the parliament and
presidency and appointment of Ahmadinejad to the post of president,
these are all survival tactics of the regime.
The main problem
for the international community and a section of Iranian society (this
section is very much reduced in number lately) is the lack of
understanding of the true nature of the regime. The main reason for
this lack of understanding, in my opinion, is that the regime uses lies
and deceit as the main pillar of its national and international policy.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has theological justification for it. To
prove my point, it is enough to listen over a period of a week to the
contradicting comments made by various high ranking members of the
regime concerning a key issue such as nuclear energy. These
contradictions are not the result of various people expressing
different opinion, but it is a deliberate and orchestrated effort by
the highest authority, Velayete Motlaqe Fageh, to muddle the world
opinion.
Now,
I believe the world has two alternatives in dealing with this monster.
The first alternative is for the international community to appease the
regime as it has done up until now, resulting in an Islamic Republic,
with nuclear weapons, destabilisng the region further and extending its
violation of human rights inside Iran and support for terrorism outside
the country. The above situation will also result in strengthning the
separatist tendencies amongst the nationalities forming Iran. This
could lead to the break up of Iran in a chaotic manner.
The
second alternative is the complete and peaceful removal of the Islamic
Republic and relieving the people of Iran from this regime. This will
lead to establishing democratic process in Iran and will gurantee full
support for human rights.
Internationally,
the peaceful removal of this regime, which is the world’s strongest
supporter of terrorism, will benefit the Palestine-Israeli peace
process and help to stablize the region, particularly in Iraq.
To
achieve this, the international community particularly the West, must
be united and speak with one voice. So far, the regime has gained the
most from the differences in approach between Europe and America in
dealing with Iran. In addition, they must redirect their support to the
democratic opposition forces both inside and outside Iran.
In
relation to the above, I would like to point out the necessity of
helping the Iranian nationalities, including the Kurds, in achieving
their autonomy within a united democratic and federal Iran. These
nationalities could be the backbone of the united movement oppossing
the regime.
We
must not forget that the best solution to power sharing in post
Islamic-Republic Iran will be to empower the Iranian nationalities in a
federal structure based on ethnic geographic federalism. The Kurdish
nation and other oppressed nationalities in Iran will totally support
such a structure that will put and end to the inequalities of the past.
In conclusion, to move the democratic process in the region
forward and to eliminate the threat of terrorism from the world will
require the unity and cooperation of the international community with
the nationalities in Iran.
We in the Kurdistan Democratic
Party of Iran, as the main player of the Kurdish movement in Iranian
Kurdistan, consider ourselves as part of the front opposing terrorism
and for democratization of the region and are fully prepated to fulfill
our duties. | |
The Nationalities Issue in Iran and the Prospects for Democracy Friday, June 02, 2006 By Abdulla Mohtadi Abdullah
Mohtadi is the Secretary General of the Komala Party of Iranian
Kurdistan, one of the major Kurdish political movements in Iranian
Kurdistan. The following speech was delivered by Mr. Mohtadi at the
“Road to Democracy: Full Political and Human Rights in Iran”
conference, which occurred on 30 May at the Russell Office Building of
the US Senate in Washington, DC. Iran
is a vast country comprised of a wide range of nationalities and
cultures. The main nationalities in Iran, namely Azeris, Kurds, Arabs,
Baluchis, and Turkmens, each have their own unique language and culture
and make up over 50% of the population in the country. In that sense,
they are not minorities despite being usually referred to as such. In
our view, the acceptance of pluralism in Iran without acknowledging
this diversity and incorporating the various nationalities into the
governance of the country is meaningless. By the same token,
institutionalizing democracy and bringing stability to Iran is
impossible without a resolution of the nationalities issue. That is why
we, the nationalities of Iran, have gathered together in the Congress
of Nationalities for a Federal Iran. The Congress of Nationalities
supports the removal of the Islamic Republic to create a secular,
democratic, and federal Iran. In
Iran, the Kurds make up about 10 million of the population and mainly
reside in four provinces in western and northwestern Iran. With a long
history of fighting for their liberation, Kurds have been at the
forefront of struggle against the Islamic regime now for more than a
quarter of a century. But Kurds are not alone any more. We are
witnessing a new wave of national awakening and a deep dissatisfaction
among all of the nationalities in Iran. The Kurdish uprising in the
last summer, the Arab demonstrations in Ahwaz last year, and, most
recently, the unrest in Baluchistan and the widespread demonstrations
among Azeris in the past few weeks are some of the examples of this
dissatisfaction and a sign of what we should expect in the future. The
Islamic regime, as always, tries to tarnish these deep rooted demands
and protests by claiming that they are provoked or even invented by
foreign forces. This, in turn, has been used as a justification for
repression of those movements by any means possible including massive
military operations and the arrest, torture, and execution of
dissidents. But the root of these movements lies simply in the denial
of economic, political, and cultural rights of those nationalities. In
this sense, if Iran is to be a democratic country, it has to have
decentralized and federal government. One
criticism against federalism is that it could lead to the
disintegration of Iran. Quite the opposite is true. Understanding and
acknowledging the nationalities issue and trying to find a democratic
solution for it is not and can never be a threat to the integrity of
Iran. What threatens Iran with disintegration is the denial of the
existence of nationalities and thus the denial of their rights. It is
the policy of discrimination and repression that causes frustration and
diminishes the desire for coexistence, whereas forming a democratic
system based on mutual respect, power sharing, and inclusion bridges
the differences between various ethnic groups, gives them a valuable
stake in their country and government, and consolidates unity and
solidarity among all Iranians irrespective of their of language, race,
ethnic origin, religion and political beliefs. And that is exactly what
we, as Kurds and as the Congress of Nationalities, are advocating – a
democratic, federal Iran where the rights of different nationalities
are attended to. This is the only way to keep Iran united and
democratic at the same time. In addition, the Iraq experience and the
role the Kurds have been playing in preserving Iraq’s unity is a good
example of how baseless this criticism is. What
gives the nationalities issue a greater importance is, in my belief,
the role that they can play in the overall democratic movement in Iran.
To give you an example, let me point to the role the Kurds and Kurdish
movement has played in Iran in the last quarter of a century. Kurdistan
was the only part of Iran that remained secular during and after the
revolution of 1978-79. While Iran became a haven for Ayatollahs,
Kurdistan stood against them. While women in the rest of Iran were
forced to go under the thick black veil, women in Kurdistan were
finding their place in political and social life. In Tehran, mullahs
were closing one newspaper after another. However, at the same time,
Kurdistan was the hotspot of free media in the region. While the
political, social, and cultural organizations and groups were getting
dissolved and banned by the new Islamic regime, groups belonging to
women, students, teachers, and workers were flourishing in Kurdistan.
Kurdistan was the only region in Iran where the great majority voted
against the establishment of the Islamic Republic in the so-called
referendum of spring 1979. This was true for the whole period when
Kurds ran their territory. When the regime attacked Kurdistan with full
force, those gains were the main reason for mass resistance against the
military assault there. The
point that I want to make is that Kurdish movement is a democratic and
secular movement and it will stay that way. This is the case with other
national movements in Iran. As the movement to end the religious
dictatorship is gaining momentum, the Congress of Nationalities for a
Federal Iran, as it states in its constitution, strives to instill a
true democracy in which all civic rights are fully respected, equality
for women and freedom of press, expression, religion, and belief is
honored, and a friendly relationship with the neighbors and the world
is maintained. Unfortunately, the significance of the nationalities and
their role in bringing about democracy in Iran is not fully understood
and is indeed neglected. One of our objectives in this gathering is to
raise awareness about this important issue. We,
the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, believe that the Islamic regime
in Iran supports national and international terrorism, fans Islamic
fundamentalism, and has a deep desire to develop atomic weapons to
spread its dictatorship to other nations in the region and wipe out any
democratic movement in the Middle East. But the great majority of
Iranians are deeply resentful of the regime and want to change it. What
is lacking in this process is a strong united opposition that can lead
the Iranians in getting rid of dictatorship and achieving democracy,
pluralism, human rights, economic prosperity, and civic justice. That
is why we, the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, have put a tremendous
amount of effort to create a united front in Kurdistan which we think
strengthens the democratic movement in Kurdistan as well as in the
whole of Iran. At the same time, we are for a broad democratic
coalition of Iranian opposition groups. We believe that the Congress of
Nationalities can be a major participant in this umbrella coalition. To
create this united opposition, two issues need to be addressed, or
perhaps it is better to say that two obstacles need to be overcome,
both of which are results of the policies of the Iranian regime. One is
the baseless paranoia of Iran’s disintegration in the event of
democratic change, and the other is the false assumption that the
Islamic regime’s nuclear program is a matter of national pride for
Iranians. The Iranian regime is using both of these issues to justify
its policies and consolidate its grip to power. I have already spoken
about the first issue and explained how a democratic solution for
nationalities can in fact contribute to the unity of the country.
Regarding the second issue, I should say that an atomic Islamic regime
in Iran is not only a threat to the stability of the region but also a
tool of division to keep the opposition in disarray. The opposition
needs to realize that gaining atomic technology emboldens the regime to
further pursue its ambition of regional dominance as well as an
intensification of the regime’s internal repression against its own
people. The genuine reason for the national pride of Iranians, I
believe, is a free, democratic and prosperous Iran where the human
dignity of its people and the human rights of everybody are fully
respected.  
Kurdish vs. Kurdish
American Dream!
Dr. Artin is a member
of Kurdish national Congress of Norht
America, and board member of the Kurdish American Committee for democracy in Iran
Kamal Artin, June 2nd,
2006
For a KNC-NA conference on Iran
in Washington DC
on May 30th, 2006, I had
prepared a presentation on independence, a Kurdish dream. Since a Kurdish dream
seemed difficult to have by many of the guests in the conference, I modified my
presentation to reflect a Kurdish American dream, federalism. Consistent with
this objective, I decided to highlight some flaws in Iranian constitution. I
suggested that if the Iranian opposition votes for a federation such as the one
in Canada or Switzerland,
then the constitution needs to change and reflect a democratic and voluntary
union!
It seems that democracy is a nightmare for Iran, especially
a liberal form of democracy in which all form of civil liberties are guaranteed
by law. Iran
has opposed democracy and liberalism with the excuse to save cultural and
family values. I am wondering how the pressure on the women to cover themselves
allover and yet share their body through frequent temporary marriages with
different men would have a family value!
A quote in the pre-preamble of Iran’s
constitution mentions “we did send down with them the book and the balance that
men might stand by justice”, then the article 20 states all citizen, men and
women have equal rights if they conform to Islamic criteria. How about those
who are committed to other standards and can not conform to Islamic criteria? I
was wondering which book had allowed Iranian men to discriminate based on
gender and nationality and call it justice! Preamble quotes, “your nation is
one nation, and I am your Lord, and so serve me”; then article 11 confirms that
all Muslims form a single nation. Such a concept reminds me of Hitler or Stalin
who thought that the world belongs to a single race or class respectively. Is
it possible that the current Iranian regime advocates similar concepts, desires
to serve only one nation, and wipe out the other ones starting with Israel
or America?
Article 1 of the Iranian constitution declares the country
as an Islamic Republic, and article 12 reassures that the official religion
there is Islam and the Twelver Ja'fari
School. Based on the experience of the civilized world, mixture of religion and
state has not been able to resolve conflicts but added to them, otherwise by
know we would have had Hindu Republic of India, Christian
Republic of America,
Jewish Republic of Israel, Sunni Republic of Turkey, Atheist Republic of Cuba,
and Agnostic Republic of Utopia.
Article 15 points out that the official language in Iran
is Persian but “regional and tribal languages” are allowed to exist. Such a
belittling attitude toward minorities reminds me of Saddam who had thought any
other language but Arabic is tribal and unofficial. Fortunately Saddam’s reign
was ended, which could remind the Iranian clergies that they need to update
themselves before they become underground like Saddam! Article 115 assures that
the President must be elected from among religious and political personalities
and believe in fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its
official religion. Current Iraqi president would still have remained a dreamer,
if he had lived in Iran.
May be Talebani’s concessions now is due to his fear
of being eliminated by Iranian clergies who have a great influence on Iraqi
fundamentalists!
In short, let’s assume that Iranian opposition can be
trusted once again and federalism is a reasonable solution for Iran.
If this becomes an acceptable choice by the people, a federal Iran
should guarantee free speech, separation of state and religion, zero tolerance
for absolutism and inequality, referendums to ask people from each region to
choose between voluntary union, federalism, independence, and a gradual
elimination of borders between divided parts of the region. Without such an
agreement ahead of time, the Kurds fall in to another trap to lose their
objective, fulfilling Kurdish dream!
Iranian minority groups seeking US help to topple regime |
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Thursday, June 01, 2006
| | Turkish Daily News - By Ümit Enginsoy
 | | |
Iranian Kurd parties say they want a federal Iran, not secession
WASHINGTON - Gathering in Washington, representatives from four large Iranian minority groups urged the United States and the Western world to help them overthrow the Islamic regime in Tehran.
"The peaceful removal of this regime, which is the world's strongest
supporter of terrorism, will help to stabilize the region, particularly
in Iraq," said Mustafa Hejri, secretary-general of the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (IKDP), one of the groupstaking part in a
conference here.
"To achieve this, the international community, particularly the West,
must be united and speak with one voice. So far, the regime has gained
the most from the differences in approach between Europe and America in dealing with Iran," he said. "They must redirect their support to the democratic opposition forces both inside and outside
Iran."
The Komala
Party was another Iranian Kurdish group at the conference. The
Diplomatic Mission of Southern Azerbaijan, whose representative Ali Riza Nazmi Afshar said was speaking on behalf of the Azeri Turks of Iran, the Baloochestan People's Party and the Ahwaz
Human Rights Organization -- representing the Arab minority in the
southwestern region of Khuzestan -- were also participating.
The one-day conference, held at a congressional building on Tuesday,
was organized by two groups, the Kurdish National Congress of North
America and the Kurdish American Committee for Democracy in Iran; a
flag of the ill-fated Mahabad Kurdish Republic -- created in western Iran in 1946 and destroyed later that year -- was hanging in front of the speakers.
Accusing the Tehran
administration of following nationalist Persian policies and
persecuting ethnic minorities, all speakers called for joint action
among opposition groups to overthrow the Islamic regime.
"We need to have a united and democratic coalition of all opposition groups in Iran, including the
Persians," said Abdullah Muhtadi, a senior representative of the Kurdish Komala Party. "The nationalities represented here are ready to be part of a united coalition."
Afshar said pressure to overthrow the religious regime should come both from inside and outside, adding, "Our part in Azerbaijan has started."
A recent controversial cartoon in a government-run paper -- in which an
Azeri Turk was depicted as a cockroach -- prompted rioting in
Azerbaijani Iran in the northwest, near Turkey's border, where four people were reported killed and more than 40 others injured in protests. Other big cities, including Tehran, have also seen Azeri rioting.
A recent wave of unrest also has rocked Kurdish areas, where hardened separatists -- led by the Pejak
group with links to the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) --
have apparently been encouraged by developments across the border in Iraq.
The oil-rich southwestern
province of Khuzestan,
which has a sizeable ethnic Arab minority, also has seen a string of
bomb attacks and apparent sabotage activity against oil and gas
pipelines.
Some top Iranian officials have blamed the
Islamic republic's foreign "enemies" for the wave of ethnic unrest.
"Provoking ethnic differences is the last resort by the enemies against
the Iranian people and the Islamic republic," Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an ethnic Azeri, said on Sunday. "There is no doubt that this plot will be defeated."
Some other Iranian officials explicitly have accused the United States and Britain of provoking ethnic violence. Washington and
London deny the charges.
Some analysts suggested that ethnic tensions could crack Iran's firm resolve against the Western world.
"Iran can successfully employ overwhelming force against geographically
isolated groups, but it would be much more difficult to handle angry
Arabs, Azeris, Baluchis, Kurds and other minorities if they act against the state simultaneously," said Abbas William Samii,
a regional analyst at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is funded
by the U.S. government and broadcasts mainly to the Middle East and
former communist states.
The unrest comes at a time when Iran and the Western world are involved in a major dispute over the Islamic republic's nuclear program. The United States and it allies accuse Tehran of developing nuclear weapons
while Iran maintains that its program is aimed at peaceful energy production.
At the Washington conference, Iranian Kurdish representatives were cautious over their objectives.
"Kurds have a right to self-determination. But Kurds in Iran are for a federal Iran," said Komala's Muhtadi. "Iranian and Iraqi Kurds have good relations, influence each other, but are not controlled by each other."
Asked to comment on the possibility of U.S. air strikes against Iran's nuclear and military facilities, IKDP's Hejri said any military attack would lead to the
Islamic regime's emergence as a victim of foreign aggression.
The United States so far has not endorsed an official policy of regime change in Iran at a time when a diplomatic process still is under way over Tehran's nuclear program. But many Washington analysts believe that regime change is what President George W. Bush administration wants. Washington also accuses Iran of being the "central banker" of terrorism, disrupting stability in Iraq and undermining peace in the Middle East.
Azeris are believed to make up some 25 million of Iran's 70-million population. Another 10 million are estimated to be Kurdish, Arab, Baloochi and Turkmen.  |
18th Annual KNC Conference summary
Date: Friday, March 24, 2006
March 17-19, 2006 – Gaithersburg (North Washington DC)
The panel on Eastern Kurdistan was diverse and included five
representatives from Kurdish political parties. Ms. Soraya Serajeddini
introduced the topic by recounting the victimization of Kurds in Iran
and the need for Kurds to take a leadership role in the Middle East.
She stressed that while we should not allow the world to forget the
atrocities committed against Kurds, it is time now to act as leaders
and not victims. Panelists discussed their desire and accomplishments
towards forming a political front in Eastern Kurdistan. Mr. Hamid
Bahrami of Komala Party stressed the need to stop the Iranian nuclear
program and gave reasons why this move by the current regime in Iran is
destabilizing the world and the Kurds’ responsibility at this junction
in time. Mr. Shamsi of Komala articulated the long history of Kurdish
national struggle and its unique characteristics in relation to other
ethnic groups in Iran. He recounted his party’s role in promoting civil
groups in Iran struggling to achieve a better life and tied it to the
national struggle of Kurds and their resistance movement. During the
question and answer session, Dr. Morteza Esfandiari of KDPI stressed
that his party included many Shiaat Kurds such as himself. He also
stressed the need for the Kurdish opposition to work closely with other
ethnic groups in Iran. Aref Bawajani of the newly formed Party Serbasti
pointed out the failed attempts at federalism and limited self
determination for Kurdistan and presented his views of independence for
Eastern Kurdistan from Iran as the only viable option. Zagros
Yazdanpanah, North American representative of the Revolution Union of
Kurdistan followed by mentioning that his party believes in an
independent Kurdistan but will work within the platform of a Federal
Democratic Iran for the time being.
Kurdish National Congress of North America (KNC)
Kurdish American Committee for Democracy In Iran
Road to Democracy: Full Political and Human Rights in Iran Agenda
Tuesday May 30, 2006 1:00-1:05 Program Introduction: Dr. Kamal Artin – KNC Board of Directors 1:05-1:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks: Ms. Soraya Serajeddini – Conference Chair - KNC Vice-President 1:15-1:40 Featured Speakers: Mr. Mustafa Hejri: Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran – Secretary General Mr. Abdullah Muhtadi: Komala Party – Iranian Kurdistan – Secretary General 1:40-2:50 Discussion Panel: Denial of Human and Political Rights to Ethnic Groups, Religious Minorities and Women. Panel Chair: – Dr. Kamal Artin KNC Board of Directors Ms. Kathryn Porter: Leadership Council for Human Rights – President Dr. Pary Karadaghi: Kurdish Human Rights Watch – President Ms. Mandana Zand Karimi: Alliance of Iranian Women - President Question and Answer Session 2:50-2:55 Samira Qaderi: A Letter on behalf of the Iranian refugees in Turkey from Ms. Sheila Muhammadian. 2:55-3:10 Coffee Break 3:10-4:40 Discussion Panel: Role of Ethnic Groups in Forming the Future of Iran: Panel Chair: Dr. Najmaldin Karim – Washington Kurdish Institute - President Mr. Karim Abdian: Ahwaz Human Rights Organization Mr. Alireza Nazmi Afshar: The Diplomatic Mission of Southern Azerbaijan Mr. Nasser Boladie: Baloochestan People’s Party Mr. Mustafa Hejri: Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran Mr. Abdullah Muhtadi: Komala Party – Iranian Kurdistan Question and Answer Session 4:40-4:50 Minorities and Internal Reform in Iran - Mr. Andrew Apostolu – Writer on the Middle East 4:50-5:00 Closing Statement: Conference Chair Event co-sponsors: Congress of Iranian Nationalities, Kurdish Human Rights Watch, Kurdish Washington Institute
The Kurdish United Front in Iran
A group of Iranian Kurds has formed a movement that aims to "peacefully" demand rights that they say have been neglected or denied Iran's sizable Kurdish minority.
"A large number of prominent Kurdish activists and NGOs have come together in an independent front to peacefully demand the rights that the Kurds have been denied," the founder of the reformist Kurdish United Front, Bahaeddin Adab told reporters. (Monday 01,01,2006)
IRAN: NEW PARTY SEEKS TO UNITE KURDS 2006-01-01 Tehran, 13 Jan. (AKI) - Iranian Kurds plan to unite and resume the struggle for the rights which they say are denied them in the Islamic Republic, says the founder of a new Kurdish movement. Kurds, who live mainly in Iran's western provinces, make up seven percent of a population of 68 million. "There is little freedom in the Kurdish-populated areas, while Iranians and especially Kurd, see democracy as a primary need," Bahaeddin Adab, of the new United Kurdish Front, told Adnkronos International. The Front is "an effort to end the current divisions and individualism which is taking us nowhere and allows the Tehran government to repress us and reject dialogue," said Adab. "Equal rights is our most pressing request, because it is not acceptable that our people continue to suffer discrimination in every field, from society and politics, not to mention the economy," he said. He complained that "the Kurds do not have national representation in line with the fact that it controls four regions and is seven per cent of the population." Most Iranian Kurds are Sunni Muslims, an aggravating factor in their relations with the Shiite central authorities in Tehran. "The negligence of the current government and its predecessors towards minorities is without precedent" he said ,This situation has generated mass depression which has put the Kurdish zones at the top of the list for suicides, drug dependence and general disorder. For Adab, the uprisings and the violent clashes witnessed last summer in many Kurdish cities are a worrying signal of the malaise in the country. In Mahabad, the historical capital of Iranian Kurdistan, the killing of a young Kurd by security forces led to fierce clashes and scores of arrests. The revolt spread within a few days to major cities like Baneh, Sanandaj, and Sardasht. "Rejecting dialogue for violence is pointless and it just raises the wall that separates people from the government," he said. Over recent weeks, various political activists, journalists and human rights campaigners in Iranian Kurdistan have been arrested and are awaiting trial on charges such as "attacking the Constitution" and "Counter revolutionary activity" that carry heavy penalties. Adab is convinced that speaking with once voice to the central government will get results. But his optimism is not shared by some other Kurdish activists. Mohammad Sadegh Kabudvand, president of the Organisation for Human Rights in Kurdistan, is sceptical that any Kurdish demands can be met in the near future. "Adab says he wants to act within the law. Well, the law states that the languages of ethnic minorities can be taught in schools, but for 25 years, Kurds have been denied that right," he recalled, saying the government lacked the political will to implement many laws. "I fear that the new Front will be a simple vehicle, pulled by ingenuous Kurds, to carry Adab and his friends to the capital and provide them a seat in parliament. "It is difficult to conceive that Kurds may be able to enjoy their human and ethnic rights, as democratic rights are not granted to the entire population," concluded the activist.
United Kurdish Front Established
TEHRAN, Jan. 2--Former Sanadaj MP Bahaeddin Adab announced on Monday the formation of the United Kurdish Front and said it intends to fulfill the rights of Kurds within the framework of the constitution and will never seeks autonomy. Addressing a press conference, Adab said, “Our response to the rulership is such that if they do not authorize our activities, we shall announce to the public that our intention was to serve the people. And since the means for this did not exist, we are abandoning politics.“ The former MP referred to Kurdestan’s developments in recent years and noted that in the absence of civil institutions, violence prevails. He stressed that a number of political and cultural activists want the front to prevent the recurrence of past incidents. Adab emphasized that the establishment of the front will prevent the imposition of high costs on the rulers and the ruled. “The main problem of the Kurds is that they cannot get a fair share of the pie and this problem should be resolved through political ways,“ he said. He declared that the front currently has 3,000 members nationwide and the members are mostly intellectuals, religious scholars and political, cultural, social and economic activists. Adab underlined that the founding philosophy of the front is to familiarize the Kurdish population of their rights and to help fulfill them in a reconciliatory manner.
PRAGUE / 3 January 2006 / by Golnaz Esfandiari A group of Iranian Kurds has formed a movement that aims to "peacefully" demand rights that they say have been neglected or denied Iran's sizable Kurdish minority. The Kurds account for about 7% of Iran's 68 million-strong population, making them one of the country's largest ethnic groups. Most live in Iran's western provinces, amongst the least developed in the country. The group claims to have the backing of Kurdish activists, NGOs, and several thousand supporters. Speaking to RFE/RL, Bahaeddin Adab, the founder of the Kurdish United Front, said that democracy and equal rights are key aims of the group. "There is very little freedom in areas with a Kurdish population, and democracy for all Iranian people -- especially for Kurds -- is a necessity," he said. "The second issue is equal rights," he continued, claiming that "Kurdish areas suffer from discrimination and [official] contempt in all political, economic, social and cultural areas of life. Kurds have no share in the distribution of power or regarding economic development; the four Kurdish provinces of our country are not developed and are deprived. They face limitations in their cultural activities, which is preventing cultural development." Adab blames inequality and neglect for a "social problems that never before existed in Kurdish areas. Divorce, suicide, and addiction, for example, are widespread now." Violence And Nonviolence He also linked these problems to violent clashes with the authorities seen in several Kurdish cities in the summer of 2005. In July, the shooting in Mahabad of a Kurd, Shavaneh Qaderi, by security forces led to demonstrations and dozens of arrests. The unrest spread to other cities -- including Saqqez, Baneh, Sanandaj and Sardasht -- and reportedly resulted in the deaths of several civilians and police officers. Adab sees a lack of representation as a major contributory factor in the unrest, which he believes demonstrated the need to create the Kurdish United Front. "Because such issues are brought up and pursued individually, there are no results. That leads to the use of violence by the government," he contends. "That has a high cost for the nation and that is not, we believe, in the interests of the people or of the government because it widens the gap between the people and the establishment." Iranian authorities blamed the unrest on "hooligan and criminal elements" and charged that "public and state-owned buildings, including banks, were damaged." A number of rights activists and journalists were jailed after the killings, some of them for long terms. Human rights organizations have called for their release and for an investigation into the deaths. Adab, who says the summer's violence "offended the majority of the people," promised that the Front would work within the framework of law and would eschew violence. Advancing The Front The Kurdish United Front says a recent opinion poll in areas with Kurdish population showed that most people supported the creation of a front that would enable them to pursue and assert their legitimate rights. Adab insists that the movement is not an official party or a nongovernmental organization. Such groups require the state's permission to meet, advertise, and register new members. A number of Kurdish parties are banned in Iran. The Front plans to help Kurdish representatives gain seats in city councils and in the national parliament, as well as to raise Kurds' awareness of their rights. In August, the UN’s special rapporteur on housing and land rights Miloon Kothari concluded at the end of a 12-day visit to Iran that minorities in Iran, including the Kurds, face discrimination when it comes to gaining access to housing, civic services, and land. While Adab is optimistic that his group will be able to achieve positive results, other Kurdish activists in Iran express doubt. "Our current president [Mahmud Ahmadinejad] also talks about the same issue. He says he wants justice for all Iranians," says Mohammad Sadegh Kabudvand, head of the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan. "Mr. Adab also says the same thing, or he talks about democracy. The reformists also spoke of democracy. But do the Kurdish people have democracy and justice? No."  Kabudvand is similarly skeptical about the prospects that Kurds' language rights will be observed. "Mr Adab says we will work within the framework of law. The law says ethnic languages can be taught. These laws have been in place for the past 25 years, but will the government let them be applied? No step has been taken in an issue as basic as this, let alone regarding the other rights that Kurdish people are demanding." Kabubvand instead sees the formation of the Kurdish United Front as a personal political vehicle for Adab and other members of the movement. "Most activists believe that this front wants to gain a share of power once more. That is all," he says. Adab, an outspoken former member of parliament, was barred from running again for parliament in 2004 after the Guardians Council, which oversees elections and vets legislation, disqualified him from the race, along with thousands of other independent and reform-minded candidates.
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