Pdki.org: On the 20th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Sadegh Sharafkandi and his aides an anniversary memorial will be held at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

The Bureau of International Relations of Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan announced on the 20th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Sadegh Sharafkandi and his aides by the mercenaries of the regime of Islamic Republic of Iran an anniversary memorial will be held at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

The anniversary memorial will start with a demonstrations walk form the nearby Court to the Père Lachaise cemetery where lies the graves of martyred leaders of PDKI.

The memorial event is open to public.

Date: Sunday, September, 16th, 2012
Time: 14:00 to 19:00

The event was hosted by two human rights organization (Leadership Council for Human Rights and Kurdish Human Rights Watch) and the president of the host organizations, Kathryn Cameron Porter and Dr. Pary Gharadaghi moderated the one and half hour session.

In her opening remarks Kathryn Cameron Porter referring to the difficult business of human rights stated “Senator Kirk, while he could not be here today, he is actually giving a speech in Chicago as we are meeting here wanted to bring up the case of a one particulate Kurdish man who is in Iran. He is Habibullah Latifi, 29 years old; he is a member of Iran Kurdish minority, an industrial engineering student, and his death sentence was upheld for second time. He was arrested in Sanandaj, a place I have been, and he was sentenced to death in July 2008.”

Leadership Council for Human Rights’ President conveyed Senator Kirk’s concern for the imminent execution of Habibullah Latifi and many others who have been unjustly condemned to execution or prolonged prison terms.

She also hinted that there would be a number of other briefings: “we are going to have, into the future, a series of these briefings so the staff people can come and learn in-depth about the situation in Iran that is not a one-sided perspective.”

“There are couple people I want to mention.  One is Mr. Hijri.  He is one of the most incredible men I have ever known.  He has a passion and a vision for his country and his people that need to be recognized and listened to.” Kathryn added in her remarks in the event that was organized in Mr. Hijri’s honor, the General Secretary of Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan.

Dr. Pary Karadaghi, the President of Kurdish Human Rights Watch and as the moderator of the symposium stated “Today we have a wonderful group of people.  We have people from the Iran Federal Congress…a group of all ethnic and religious minorities in Iran who are very involved and persecuted but have also been vocal voice and the voice of the voiceless in Iran.”

As the first speaker of the event, Mr. Mustafa Hijri, the General Secretary of Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) talked about the “multi-layered oppression against the non-Persian nations in Iran”.

In his speech, he went on to discuss the situation of ethnic minorities in Iran, and emphasized on the fact that “Cruelty and violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran are carried out in an ideological and systematic manner.”

He also stated that the regime’s foreign policy is also drafted in the same fashion.  The General Secretary of PDKI while elaborating on his Party’s policies talked about the regime’s unmoveable foreign policy and stated that “bringing change to Iran without changing the regime is futile since all the players within the system carry out domestic and foreign policy according to the regime’s constitution.”

Mr. Hijri highlighted regime negative role in the events in the Middle East in particular in Syria and stated that “On one hand, the regime tries to stir-up instability in the “unfriendly” countries.  On the other hand, it not only remains silent regarding the violent, anti-government protests in Syria, but  also there are credible reports that the Iranian regime has a direct hand in the crack-down of the peaceful protestors in Syria and blames the outside world for provoking the uprisings.”

While welcoming mounting pressure on Iran’s human rights violators by the international community, US in particular, he said “Curbing the scope of the repressive forces, such as the Revolutionary Guards, to punishing violators of Iranian people’s rights and freedom are all steps in the right direction.”

At the end he reaffirmed that “The international community, US included have an obligation to assist and support Iran’s democratic and progressive forces to bring about regime change in Iran before more time passes. And when a new government is formed, it must reflect the rightful position of the nationalities within the country. Otherwise the effort to begin again will be doomed to failure.”

Leila Milani, the Co-founder and Executive Director of Iran Rooyan talked about the plight of women in Iran: “The story I want to tell is the story of the women of Iran.  They are a minority, but the beauty of it is they are Kurds, they are Bahai, they are Muslims, they are Christians, they are Jews so to tell their stories is to tell the story of Iran.”

Dr. Karim Abdian also talked about the situation of Iran’s nationalities.  His remarks were on behalf of a coalition of Iran’s national groups called the Congress of Nationalities for Federal Iran (CNFI): “We believe a secular, federal republic of Iran can be established by voluntary unity of the Iranian nationalities and ethnic groups…It was to this end that CNFI was created from 17 regional organizations and it is part of the transition of Iranian society to a democratic system advocating for peaceful change from within Iran by its own peoples.”

Carol Prunhuber, Journalist and A. R. Ghassemlou’s biographer and the author of “Passion and Death of Rahman the Kurds: Dreaming Kurdistan” also gave some remarks in regards to the plight of the Kurds in Iran through her experience with the Kurdish resistance movement in Iran in the mid 1980s. “In our gathering today, Kurds and other minorities are here to advocate for their cause, as aspired by Ghassemlou 2 decades earlier.  The Kurds are an important part of the Iranian mosaic and have led the resistance against the Iranian regime for decades.” She said.

“I have seen firsthand bravery by the Kurds in Iran against this regime.  They still continue to decry this regime and their presence here alongside of other minorities should be a clear indication that the people of Iran seek international support to get rid of this regime to bring about peace to the people of Iran, the region and the whole of the international community.” She concluded.

Dr. H. Hosen Bor, an attorney and a prominent Baluch rights activist also stressed on Iran’s multi-national composition and the need for a federal and democratic structure that can accommodate the rights of these nationalities.

Sam Yebri, an attorney and the co-founder of American-Iranian Jewish organization was the last speaker to draw a gruesome picture of the condition of religious minorities in Iran in particularly the Jews of Iran. “The shadow of Iran’s revolution and the regime’s tactics cast a long shadow over the Jews of Iran to this day…the entire [Jews] community still lives in fear for their security and safety.” he stated.

by pdki.org staff writter

However, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, we have only a disturbed shadow of an election. Discriminatory laws, fraud, and poor oversight make a mockery of any election in Iran, especially that of presidential elections.

So far the fake presidential elections in Iran have been a tool to buy legitimacy among the international community, by showing off the voting people to international media, and the 2009 election is no exception. As always, all four candidates have not only passed through the ideological filter of the clergy, but also they have taken part in all of the killings, tortures, and violations of human rights across Iran.

Evaluating the resumes of all four candidates shows that they have always been against people and turned their back on them in the favour of the ruling clergy. They have been a part of terror against the opposition and other countries and also stealing people’s resources and livelihood. These are the common denominator of all four candidates.

Having said all that, the constitution of the Islamic Republic is not only the main obstacle in the way of having a democratic election, but also it is the main obstacle for a presumably legitimate elected president to act in the favour of the people.

In this constitution, all the real power is in the hands of the supreme leader (Ayatollah Khamenei). He has the power to overrule or even discharge the president should he decide to do so, and he does not need to answer anybody or even the people of Iran as he is the sitting representative of God on earth, as stated in the constitution. The leader is the commander in chief, secretary of state, and the highest religious figure all at once. On the other hand he has the power to impose his idea about even the most personal aspects of people’s lives like the way they dress or the way they eat. He even has the power to disassemble the parliament.

According to constitution, only men (not women), who are Shiite Muslim, and who believe in the divine and absolute power of the leader, have the right to become a candidate.

The actual power of a president is very marginal. During the two terms when the so called reformist government had the presidential seat and had the majority in the parliament, they were disallowed from passing any new laws even though they only differed slightly from the leader.

This list of predicaments can go on, but in short it can be said that under the current laws and constitution, presidential elections in Iran are nothing but a mockery of democracy, and serve no purpose but prolonging the life of this murderous regime.

Nations living in Iran, have a 30 year history of struggling for freedom, democracy, and human rights. They have come to understand that democracy and federalism is the way of the future in order to stop the additional oppression imposed on them. These are not achievable under the current regime’s backward ideology and its murderous institutions, like the Office of Supreme Leadership, president, revolutionary guard, and others who have brought nothing but misery to Kurdish people and other nationalities living in Iran.

We have experienced a rage against us from the day Ayatollah Khomeini, ordered a jihad against Kurds. It is a patriotic duty for all freedom loving people living in Iran and especially those of Kurdish people to not belittle themselves and settle for some false and fraudulent promises by any of the so called presidential candidates. We have come through a magnificent resistance against oppression. We know that under the current system and regime, our goals of freedom, human rights, self determination and democracy will not materialize. We will not be played with and will not be deceived by these games.

We want and deserve the right to hold free elections, to become candidates, to vote for our candidate of choice. The Islamic regime in Iran is struggling with all sort of crisis inside and outside of Iran, and they are as weak as they have ever been.

Voting in this election is helping this regime gaining legitimacy, when it needs it the most. We ask you all to join us in boycotting this election.

Komala, Revolutionary Tailors Organization of Iranian Kurdistan
Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan
May 19, 2009

23- The KRG is responsible for providing economic development basis through scientific planning in the autonomous region. The distribution of resources by the Federal government will be arranged in a way that the income per capita of the inhabitants of the autonomous region of Kurdistan is more considering its present state of under-development, in order to compensate the effects of under- development resulting from national oppression.

24- Kurdistan and all of Iran’s main path to economic development is possible through industrialization of the country through scientific and technological attainments on one hand, and the needs and natural capabilities of the country on the other. Introducing fundmental economic and social changes that are necessary for industrialization should be one of the most fundamental responsibilities of the federal government and the KRG.

25- The KRG must use public economic sector, which is considered as the main segment for development, to establish developed industries in Kurdistan, and also supports local and national industries. Aside from the public sector, the cooperative and private sectors should also participate in the industrialization of the country.

26- All the mineral resources, including waters, forests and pastures of Kurdistan that are considered as public riches, will be nationalized, and the KRG with the cooperation of the federal government will use these resources to the best interests of all the people of Iran.

27- Increasing agricultural production via mechanizing the industry and utilizing scientific methods in agriculture, planning, conducting irrigation programs and the construction of dams comprise major segments of economic policies of the KRG.

28- The KRG should work for the development of domestic trade, and encourage commercial and professional activities in Kurdistan.

29- Raising the standards of living of the people of Kurdistan should be the underlying economic policy of the KRG. The KRG should use all the forces and capabilities at its disposal to provide the Kurdistan inhabitants with a livelihood suitable with the current century.

30- The principle of 40 hours of work a week will be applied everywhere. Workers subjected to hard physical labour must work fewer hours. Minimum wages will be determined taking into account the costs of living, and will increase with the raise in the standards of living. Workers are insured against industrial injuries, sicknesses, disability and old-age. The employment of youngsters below the age of 15 is prohibited. Adequate social and economic conditions should be created to reduce unemployment and eventually to eradicate it.

31- There still exists injustice in agricultural land ownership; therefore, it is necessary to introduce important changes into the existing agricultural ownership to the benefit of toiling villagers who own no land.

32- The KRG must help farmers to attain modern agricultural equipments. Also the KRG must purchase their products at appropriate prices, and grant them long-term loans with low rate of interest. Farmers will gradually be insured first against work symptoms and accidents, and then disability and old-age.

33- The KRG must pay great attention to the issues of education and training, and provides all necessary training, educational and safe recreational facilities for the youth.

34- The KRG should pay special attention to the issue of livestock, and grants the breeders the most favourable grazing conditions, and acquaints them with modern, scientific breeding methods.

35- The protection of the environment, natural resources, lakes, forests, and protection of wild species such as birds and water creatures should be among the major tasks of the KRG; therefore, unregulated and excessive haunting will be prevented. In addition, choosing types and locations of new industries such as building roads and rail roads must take place along with protecting the environment and their compatibility with nature,

36- The KRG must place tourism as its top priority, and protect the historical monuments and relics of the past.

from Part I Chapter IV of Programme of PDKI

19- All the rights and freedoms defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the conventions related to the Declaration regarding freedom of thought and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of association political and other organizational activities, workers and farmers unions and councils, democratic associations, freedom to choose one’s occupations and residence, and finally freedom of religion will be guaranteed in the autonomous Kurdistan as in the other regions of Iran.

All the inhabitants of Kurdistan region have equal social, economic, political and cultural rights without any discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity and religion.

20- Religion is separate from the state.

21- Men and women have equal rights within the family and society, and receive equal pay for equal work.

The KRG must provide the female workers and employees with maternity leave with pay for the period before and after accouchement.

22- KRG will pay special attention to the nurturing and fostering of children.

from Part I Chapter III of Programme of PDKI

7- Kurdistan is one of the regional governments of democratic federal Iran.

8- The regional government comprises of the whole territory of Iranian Kurdistan. The geographical dimension of the regional government of Kurdistan will be defined by taking into account the geographic and economic factors, and the demand of the majority of the people living in every region inhabited by Kurds.

9- In the autonomous region of Kurdistan, the power in its totality is derived from the people, and will be exercised through their representatives at the Kurdish parliament and the regional governmental bodies.

10- Affairs concerning international relations (political and economic), national defence (the army), long-term economic planning and the monetary system will be the prerogatives of the Federal government. Aside from the mentioned cases, the legitimacy of administrating the governmental institutions in Kurdistan is under the supervision of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The people of the autonomous region of Kurdistan and their compatriots throughout Iran will take part legally and without any discrimination in the administration of the country’s affairs.

11- Kurdistan Region has its own national anthem, flag and festivities. In Kurdistan region, the flag of federal Iran will be flying along side the Kurdistan flag.

12- Federal Supreme Court will be formed equally of all the experts of all the nations of Iran. It will review all the legal conflicts between the federal government and the regional governments.

13- The Parliament of Kurdistan is the highest legislative authority in the autonomous region of Kurdistan. The representatives are elected by direct suffrage, secret ballot and equal vote.

14- The Parliament of Kurdistan designates the KRG, which will be answerable to the Parliament of Kurdistan.

15- Internal order and security are in the hands of the Peshmergas and other law enforcing institutions in the autonomous region. The army is responsible to defend the country’s sovereignty and national borders, and does not have the right to interfere in maintaining internal security and internal law enforcing affairs.

16- The Kurdish language is the official language of education and correspondence within internal administration in the autonomous region of Kurdistan. Persian language will also be the official language of the region, as well as other regions of Iran, and will be taught in schools along with Kurdish.

17- The administrative correspondence between the autonomous region of Kurdistan and the federal government, and other regional administrations related to the federal government will take place in the Persian language.

18- All the non-Kurdish inhabitants of the autonomous region of Kurdistan will be provided with resources to promote their own culture, and study in their own language.

from Part I Chapter II of Programme of PDKI