Preliminary Platform
The Federal-Democratic Movement of
Preamble:
The national-liberation
movement of Azerbaijanis—which started with the establishment of Azerbaijan’s
National Parliament along with the Local-Provincial Associations in the period
of Constitutional Revolution and culminated in the establishment of Azadistan
Government under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammad Khiyabani and the founding
of Azerbaijan’s National Government under the leadership of Seyyid Ja’far
Pishevari—has continued in various
forms, and after the 1978-79 Bahman Revolution, has acquired new impetus in
recent times.
After the conspiracy of
the imperialist coup d'etat initiated by Reza Khan against the lawful
constitutional government, severe politics of assimilation against non-Persian
nations of
Alongside the improvements in the
demand for socio-political and civil-cultural rights throughout the country, struggles
of non-Persian nations for national rights have been elevated to new heights. The deepening evolution of a conscious and
forward-looking struggle for the attainment of national rights demands the
necessity of organizing and mobilization of diverse nature on various levels, situating
the much needed organizational issue high on the agenda of its daily endeavors. In light of historical
experiences, it can be argued that all social-political movements (e.g., national
movements, women’s movement, the movement of social forces and classes),
regardless of how extended and popular they may be, without benefiting from a conscious
organizational capacity and in the absence of organized institutions will,
sooner or later, be subject to demise. This is the internal logic of any
movement and a historical necessity. In our view, professional organization is a
most necessary factor in the maintenance, survival, and continuation of a
movement towards victory. Thus, in line with international covenants and human rights
principles, we consider it necessary to organize as a political movement in
accord with current conditions, for the
creation of structural developments in socio-political foundations of Iranian
society and for the establishment of a decentralized political system based on national federalism (ethnicity-based)
and democratic principles. We invite all freedom-loving and patriotic
Turks-Azerbaijanis to join our common struggle for the purpose of achieving the following goals:
Common Principles
1-
The country of Iran:
Iran is a
multi-national country. The main nations inhabiting Iran include: the
Turk-Azerbaijani nation, the Persian nation, the Arab nation, the Baluch
nation, and the Turkmen nation. During both the Pahlavi monarchism and the
Islamic Republic, the dominant central governments in Iran have been the
driving force behind extreme forms of Persian chauvinism and nationalism. As
representatives of the Persian nationalism, these governments have subjected
the non-Persian nations of Iran to their politics of ethnic oppression and assimilation.
2-
National Identity
The Turkish
language (Azerbaijani-Turkic) constitutes the core and cornerstone of the national
identity of Iran’s Turks. Our national identity is deeply intertwined with our
language.
3-
The National Question and the Problem of
Governance
The
national question and national issues of
The
1-
The Federal Republic of Iran shall be constituted of
free and voluntary union of
2-
The provincial government of the Azerbaijani Turks
shall be established on historical Azerbaijani lands (i.e., the interconnected
regions historically inhabited by the Turks); and the Turks of Khorasan and
Qashqayestan (the Qashqayi Turks) shall have the right to establish their own local
governments.
3-
Issues related to legislation, judiciary, policing,
taxations, and other official and cultural affairs shall be within the jurisdiction
of
4-
The Turks of Khorasan and Qashqayestan shall have the
right to establish their self-governing organs for the purpose of materializing
their rightful national demands.
5-
Issues related to foreign affairs, defence against
foreign aggression, long-term planning of economic policies, monetary politics,
positive environmental policies, and communication matters throughout the
country shall be assigned to the central federal government.
6-
The languages of Turkish (Azerbaijani-Turkic), Farsi,
Kurdish, Arabic, Baluchi, and Turkmeni shall constitute
7-
Cosmopolitan cities like
Goals
1-
All citizens of the country, regardless of their
gender, religion, political/ ideological
affiliation, and social position, are equal before the law. All citizens
have the right to choose their own mode of dress and method of leading their private
life. The individuals’ social, religious, and political identities are
inviolable by the government and the governing organs.
2-
As a modern Federal and democratic government, all
governing bodies, without privileging their religion, gender, and nationality,
shall be elected through direct and hidden vote of the citizens over the age of
18.
3-
The pluralist nature of society and the inclusive freedom
of thought ought to be realized for all citizens; unconditional freedom of
assemblies, of expression, of press and media, along with free activity of all
political, social, cultural, syndicalist, and business-oriented organizations
of all individuals and groups such as laborers,
blue-collar and white-collar working groups, women, etc., ought to be materialized.
4-
Complete separation of religion and ideology from
state: Religious belief and ideology are one’s private affairs. Individuals are
free to have or not have any religious beliefs; they are free to believe in an
ideology or to have no ideological belief at all. The practitioners of religious
beliefs are free to observe their religious rites and ceremonies. Religion and
ideological belief ought to be completely separated from the education system
and the state.
5-
Equal rights of women with men in all the political,
social, and economic spheres must be materialized. Females ought to participate
in all governmental organs proportional to their population. In order to
eradicate the existing unequal conditions between women and men necessary steps
ought to be taken, including provision of additional opportunities for women.
Necessary conditions ought to be created for the overall growth and development
of women particularly in working class households. The establishment of
independent women’s organizations should be supported.
6-
Free and mandatory education up to the ninth grade
ought to be provided for all children and youth of the country and all citizens
must be given equal access to a progressive education system. In order to
alleviate illiteracy amongst the elderly, distinct schooling system and
learning centers should be created and necessary funding for them provided. At
the same time, facilities and conditions should be put in place towards the
development of a free higher education attainable to all.
7-
Social justice should be improved and difficulties for
poorer working classes alleviated; all citizens should have access to free
social services, healthcare, education, as well as retirement and unemployment
insurances.
8-
Social insurances ought to be established for the
benefit of all, and a fair taxing system proportional to income, inheritance,
and assets should be set up.
9-
Illegality of working for the youth under the age of
16 should be acknowledged. For the purpose of educating children and youth
based on the demands of contemporary times, healthy athletic and entertainment
centers should be set up; conditions for cultural and artistic flourishing in
society be created; newspapers, magazines, libraries, and art centers be
established. In short, positive conditions for technological and informational
developments ought to be provided for all citizens, particularly for the youth
from working class background.
10-The
environment ought to be protected for the common use of all, where social
development and universal welfare of all citizenry are guaranteed.
11-Favorable conditions for
friendship, camaraderie and solidarity among diverse nations in
12-Equal
citizenship rights for all national and cultural minorities in
13-Respect for
human rights constitutes one of our main goals. We support all international
conventions and covenants on human rights, and the rights of children and women.
We demand the abolition of capital punishment and torture in any form and way.
14-
We realize that the
above-mentioned goals are attainable only through the unified struggle of the Turks-Azerbaijanis
and their solidarity with
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