Iran and Transition to Democracy
Iran is a vast country with a population of 70 million people. Its people are of
Fars, Azeri Turks, Kurds, Baloch, Arab, Turkamns and other ethnic minorities
such as Bakhtyaris and Lors origin. All of these people have their own ancestral
land and their distinguished history, Language and culture.
Balochistan is the ancestral land of Baloch nation which is divided between
three countries of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Complete annexation of
Balochistan to Iran occurred in 1928 when Reza Shah of Iran arrested and
executed Baloch Ruler, Mir Dost Mohd Khan Baranzai.
This composition makes Iran a multi-national (ethnic) country. Formation of
Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran is a political reflection of this
composition. CNFI is striving to lead a popular movement for democracy in Iran.
Iran’s history in relation to democracy is dark since the rulers were tyrant
dictators. For the past 100 years, there have been two outstanding popular
uprising to bring democracy to Iran, but unfortunately on both occasions
dictatorship prevailed.
Present rulers of Iran are Islamic fundamentalists who took power after the fall
of Pahlavi dynasty in Feb 1979. For the past 30 years they have been reigning
with their Iron feast, and with absolutely no respect for democracy and human
rights. Since 1979, Iran has been one of the most persistent violator of human
rights according to human rights organisations such as UN human rights
commission, Amnesty International and Human rights Watch.
People in Iran are suffering enormously in their social welfare and civil rights
due to lack of democracy. Since democracy is the key to prosperity and attaining
collective and individual rights, Balochistan National Movement is striving to
work for democracy. BNM recognizes that it is an enormous task, which only can
be accomplished in collaboration with other democratic forces in Iran. BNM
joined the CNFI to be a party to the struggle for democracy.
BNM is of the view that a transition process is needed to bring democracy to
Iran and ultimately to Balochistan. In this transition all democratic parties,
groups and individuals have constructive roles to perform. The transition to
democracy needs a strong and united movement by forming a broad church political
alliance. It can be achieved by uniting around common fundamental principals,
and by avoiding contentious points. It is needless to state that various parties
have different approaches to issues and even to the phenomena of democracy in
Iran.
Since Iran is a heterogeneous society, in our view democracy is exercised
differently from homogenous societies. Baloch people inspire to speak to their
own language, to practice their own culture, to be proud of their own history
and identity, and have their own democratic system of governance with its
independent institutions.
The followings are our proposals for a transition to democracy:
·
Recognition of Baloch Identity & others identity
·
Recognition of Iran as a heterogeneous society
·
Right of self-determination
·
Decentralization of power
·
Democracy
To achieve democracy, it is a prerequisite to end current tyrannical regime.
BNM also wants to state that the above propositions need not be viewed as final
since pragmatism requires flexibility and accommodation for others interests.
All democratic political forces of Iran need to initiate a process of dialogue
and negotiation to reach a minimal common agenda for the transition to democracy
in Iran sooner rather than later.
We view such seminars and discussions as part of our political activities to
provide the transition process for democracy some impetus.
Therefore it is in the interests of people in Iran to unite against
dictatorship, and make democracy in Iran a reality.
parliament on the transition to Democracy in Iran on the 26th Nov
08.