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Free Life Party of
Kurdistan-PJAK
By Abdul rahman Haj-Ahmadi,
President of PJAK
21-03-2007
Resolving the Kurdish issue in all parts of Kurdistan is of strategic
importance for the prospects of democracy and stability in the future of the
Middle East. The people of Kurdistan deserve a fair settlement, which allows
all of them to live together on a basis of freedom and equality. As it seems
now, however, there is a contradiction in the policies of the USA and its
allies towards Kurdish movements in the respective parts of Kurdistan; the
Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan are regarded as allies in the war on terror,
whereas the political demands of the Kurds in Iranian Kurdistan are being
ignored. And there is, furthermore, the attempt to de-legitimize the Kurdish
movement in Turkey.
Nowhere in the world is peace more necessary than in our region. In
particular, the Kurds in Turkey, Syria and Iran want, finally, a basic
resolution of the Kurdish conflict. Democratic rights for the Kurds could
positively effect the peace process in the Middle East. Military aggression
against the Kurds however would intensify the already unstable political and
social situation.
The Kurdish area In Iran is the second largest part of the Kurdish region.
About 12 million Kurds live in Iran deprived of the most basic rights,
including the rights to cultural and political organizations.
The brutal repression, particularly against the Kurds, has escalated since
the Iranian President Ahmedinejad came to power. The situation in the
Kurdish region with all its ethnic and religious diversity has increasingly
worsened. Meanwhile serious violations against human rights are carried out
on a daily basis. Kurdistan and Balushistan, the Arabic dominated province
southwest of Iran, has been militarized.
In parallel to the international discussions concerning the Iranian atomic
program, serious and brutal attacks against Kurdish people are taking place.
In the last few days clashes with the Kurds in Iran have led to the death of
many people.
On the occasion of the anniversary events of the kidnapping of Abdullah
ضcalan, the Kurdish leader, peaceful demonstrations and mass meetings took
place everywhere in Iranian Kurdistan on 15 February 2007. However, the
police and the army fired at the crowds. Three deaths and hundreds of
detentions have been reported so far.
The Kurds like other peoples and ethnic groups in Iran such as Persian,
Azeris, Baluch, Arab and Turkmen are opposed to the Mullah regime and they
want democracy in Iran.
However, not all of them want the intervention of outside powers. The
Kurdish movement, the best organized opposition movement plays an important
role in the domestic and foreign policy situation in Iran. The only group
that actively fights against the Iranian government is our party: the PJAK
(Free Life Party of Kurdistan).
The PJAK has proved to the people that it can successfully organize itself
and fight for its rights based on its own strength. Unfortunately, the
repression of the opposition in Iran has instilled great fear of the regime
among the people and it is only the Kurds who are organized and ready to
fight for the democratization of the country.
We strongly believe that democratization of Iran is the task of the people
in Iran. The PJAK is making every effort to approach all the Kurdish
parties, groups and Iranian opposition in order to start a dialogue to
establish a common political platform.
The current repression against Kurdish civilians requires a quick and
effective international intervention. The killing of Kurds and other ethnic
groups has to be stopped as soon as possible in order to prevent a possible
blood bath by the regime. The strong presence of the Iranian army in the
Kurdish areas is a serious reason of concern.
Iran should not only be criticized because of its atomic energy-program, but
the United Nations should criticize Iran in particular for its violations of
human rights.
Iran and the Kurds
Iran is a multi-national
country of nearly 70 million population, where Persians, Azerbaijanis,
Kurds, Baluchis, Turkmans and Arabs live together, each with their own
distinctive traditions, customs, language and culture.
Successive Iranian governments have promoted the Persian language and
culture as the official Iranian language and culture at the expense of other
nationalities, while the latter's just demands for cultural recognition have
often been met with brutality and repression.
The Kurds, who form around 17% of the Iranian population, already severely
repressed under the previous regime, continue to suffer multiple violations
of their most fundamental rights under the current regime. The Islamic
Republic during its rule over Iran for more than two decades has implemented
a series of discriminatory policies in the economic, political, cultural,
social and religious fields that have brought about widespread unemployment,
poverty and forced migration. Drug abuse (especially among the young) which
was unheard off twenty years ago, has now reached endemic proportions.
Historically, Iranian Kurdistan has been one of the most underdeveloped
parts of the country. Farming still remains the main source of employment
and income for the majority of the population. Lack of investment in modern
methods of farming and in infrastructure have resulted in the farm produce
perishing before reaching the market, and even when it reaches the market it
is not able to compete in quality and price with produce from elsewhere.
This economic stagnation forces Kurdish farmers (especially the young ones)
to leave the region in search of job opportunities elsewhere. They abandon
their farms and join the migrant communities living in shantytowns on the
outskirts of major industrial cities. This mass migration of the young
population in turn forces the region into a spiral of poverty and
deprivation, which the regime seems to be either unwilling or unable to
stop.
Centralized power, and the appointment of non-Kurdish administrators, who
often come from the security establishment, at all levels of government in
the Kurdish regions, have alienated the Kurdish population from the
governing authorities, resulting in mass protests by the population at every
available opportunity. The regime's response to protests is always brutal
and results in imprisonment, terror, torture and killing of whoever dare to
oppose its tyrannical policies. Even during the past few years when the
reformist parliament and president tried to curb non-judicial imprisonment
and executions elsewhere in Iran, in Kurdistan the ultimate power has always
been in the hands of the security establishment. They have had a free hand
to do as they wish with the population. In practice Kurdistan has been under
undeclared martial law. The human rights abuses in Iran are well documented
by the international human rights organizations.
In terms of land area and population, the second largest part of Kurdistan
is in this country. The struggle for freedom that was waged in Turkey has
encouraged and strengthened the Kurdish population in this country. The
people in Eastern Kurdistan are enthusiastic supporters of Abdullah Ocalan,
Leader of the KKK.
In this country, PJAK has been the most influential organization of the
Kurdish population. PJAK supports the Democratic Confederal resolution. PJAK
has the strongest popular support in Eastern Kurdistan and it is the most
powerful opposition body in Iran. Two particular dynamic forces, the women
and the young people, join the PJAK with a view to transform the society.
PJAK is in a state of conflict with the state forces of Iran and its
influence has been on the increase. The State of Iran is persisting with its
policy of non-resolution by the use of violence.
The regime of mullahs is an outdated regime that has long past its expiry
date. This regime must go and be replaced by a democratic system in which
all the people, including Kurds among others, will have their rights to
exist on equal terms and have their own identity recognized. PJAK is a
manifestation of the people’s well, anger and demands for their rights, and
has its roots among the university students in Iran. The people were
dissatisfied with the lack of progress made by the two Kurdish parties in
Iran – the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and the Komala
Party.
The foundation of PJAK
With the capture of Abdullah ضcalan, on February 16, 1999, uprisings began
in all parts of Eastern Kurdistan. These uprisings were a point of renewal
of the political struggle in Eastern Kurdistan and led people into a higher
sense of awareness, determination, and also helped to structure a new
democratic mind. The desire for equality and freedom of the Kurdish people
in eastern Kurdistan-Iran needed new measures. Consequently these uprisings
could gain from the experiences of previous revolts in other parts of
Kurdistan. This brought forth a new page in the Kurdish history of revolts
under the name of the Democratic Union Movement, the new movement went
beyond all the former ideas of political activity in this region. The new
elements continued re-structuring the Kurdish movement with ideological
awareness, educating members and raising the limit of intellectual and
political knowledge of the people of eastern Kurdistan.
By presenting the motives and goals of the political movement, this
resistance movement achieved positive outcomes and it was soon acknowledged
and supported throughout eastern Kurdistan.
With all the above-mentioned experiences, the movement was able on April 25,
2004, to set up the first congress under the name of PJAK- The Free Life
Party of Kurdistan. Its main aims are to replace the religious system ruling
Iran, to found the Federal Democratic Republic of Iran, to resolve the
Kurdish question on the basis of free and democratic unity among peoples,
the freedom of women and to put an end to their unequal status in the
society, to deal with the effects of the feudal society and to pave the way
for a free and democratic life in East Kurdistan (Iranian), to secure the
basic rights and freedoms for all people of every social strata, and to
establish free relationships among the peoples of Iran.
The organisational
structure of PJAK
1- The Congress
2- The Head of the Party
3- The Assembly
4- The General Coordination
The Party bodies and
branches:
1- The Union of the
Women of Eastern Kurdistan:
The Union of the Women of East Kurdistan (YJRK) with its own special program
and charter, is aiming at and acting to develop special organizations for
women in East Kurdistan (and other parts of Iran)
2- The Union of the Youth of Eastern Kurdistan:
The Union of East Kurdistan Youth (YCR) which, based on the real potential
of young people, is trying to develop democratic and non-governmental
organizations for this dynamic social group
3- The Democratic Press Union:
Democratic Press Union (YRD) carries out informative and educational
activities to raise the democratic awareness of the different social groups
4- Self-Defense Forces: HRK
The military forces of Eastern Kurdistan, Hezi Rojhelati Kurdistan – HRK
(Forces of Eastern Kurdistan) is working in an autonomous way and parallel
with the political goals of PJAK. As the present system is suppressing the
democratic demands of the Kurds and other peoples in Iran through its
oppressive and aggressive policies, it is necessary to put into practice the
strategy of self-defense in the political, social, cultural, economic,
environmental and, if needed, military fields. We will use the right of
self-defense until the democratic aims and interests of the people are met.
For this reason our military forces have taken up positions in many of the
Kurdish regions and some important parts of Iran.
PJAK’s analysis and aims
for Iran:
1- The state power in Iran is exceptionally powerful and the government is
allowing it to spread to different parts of society, which has become a
great obstacle to development into a society of civil action. Theocracy is
the core center of the Iranian government. It is of great importance that
the substance of ideology and the very essence of the government in Iran are
forced to make fundamental changes. These changes should come from the
development of a radical form of democracy for the people. It is therefore
important that the theocratic government of Iran changes the very basis of
their governmental structure. To be able to achieve this, democracy should
be introduced to the people of Iran. Furthermore the duties of the
government ought to be changed from what it is today to becoming a simple
body to perform the duties of a state, which are to defend and maintain
security and also to carry out social developments.
2- In Iran, there is on one hand a firm belief in Omat which is a system of
sects with roots in the Shii´a religion, and also on the other hand there is
a system of state power which functions on the principles of a state-nation
perspective. The mixture of these two systems of state is a vast obstacle
for the natural development of new forms of society and also new forms of
state. Any movement within a mono-colored and single discourse structure
encourages the growth of a closed, unnatural system where conflicts of
national identity and belonging - as well as religious belonging - are
deepened. It is a growth point for radical opinions starts and breeds. With
this negligence of the people's true identities, new groups are created in
society. It is for this reason that reforms in the structure and form of the
Islamic Omat as well as the achievement of a state must be connected to
democracy.
3- By implementing the progression process of democracy in the country the
potential of self-governance will also increase. Furthermore, the
differences of religion, ethnicity and culture that are connected strongly
to freedom and history are given an opportunity to grow and develop.
4- In a social political system based on Democracy, there is no room for the
abuse of people or for the undermining of their rights. Also, tribute to the
higher groups in power is considered an illness of an old age which cannot
co-exist with democracy. It is important that resistance to a democratic
society in which the mechanism that motivates individuals to join political
and organizational associations should be overcome.
5- Nation states do exist with a one-discourse system in which ethnicity,
culture, language, religion and sex are unified. In Iran the citizens who
are of a different religion than Shii´a, and who come from different ethnic
and cultural backgrounds, as well as women, are not part of macro politics
or any kind of leadership. These groups do not have the right to participate
in the government or political life in any way. The right to hold a high
position has only been given to the religious leaders, the Mullahs are the
leaders of a single male-concentrated system. The regime has to stop
describing citizenship on the basis of individual qualities and instead
needs to re-describe the citizens of Iran by a new category which includes
the capacity for acceptance of all different cultural, religious differences
for all groups of society, as well as acceptance of women especially. This
new standard should provide for acceptance and unity instead of prejudice
and discrimination. The international community humanistic standard must be
taken as a foundation of decision-making whether it concerns economics,
politics, culture or social issues.
Haji-Ahmai,
President of PJAK
February 26, 2007
Translated
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