To public opinion
The eleventh terms of Iranian governments came to power, during the soared of the tension in Iran’s foreign policy which become more acute by interior crisis. Consequently, by considering the options that were facing Iran in one hand and on the other hand, as a result of the diplomatic pressure on Iran and America against each other, reaching a diplomatic compromise between the American and Iranian governments was not unthinkable. The president of Iran (Rohani)’s speech in the United Nations and the telephone conversation between two presidents of Iran and America were in the same framework. However, since the roots of the basic problems posed by Iran’s policy toward against different nationality in Iran and non-democratic system in internal of Iran, the aim of that kind of diplomatic relations are begin to resolving these tensions between them. It would be successful and achieved the goals for Iran if it is not being used to cover or hide the interior issues in Iran.
The fact is that from the very beginning of Mr. Rohani and his administration their slogans and promises were to focus on the different nationalities problems in Iran. What is more, they discussed the formulation of the equal rights of citizenships and run the fifteenth Principle of the constitution of Iran, which is the right to educate in mother language of other nationalities in Iran. Moreover, promoting to remove the discrimination against other nationalities in Iran, respect their views would be a practical step of creating the democratic atmosphere in Iran and it could be evaluated in positive way. However, what have been witnessed was that there is some instability in the government’s saying and acting. On one hand, they discuss the cultural rights and freedom. On the other hand, the diverse ethnics and cultural groups have been avoided from their rights. That kind of the contradictions in Iranian policy shows that the authorities have not achieved an appropriate strategy about the interior policy or at least they are not able to propose it yet.
Due to the political situation in the Middle East, the massive and important issue which was necessarily required is the Kurdish question which has not been solved. This is fact that the eleventh terms of governments in Iran are facing to. For that reason, they ought to find an alternative solution for the issue and the Kurdish question must be seriously considered. According to the breadth of its inclusion, it will impact on all of Iran’s policies and developments.
Our Party, Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) always and at different periods has emphasized on finding alternatives that may lead to the realization of democratic struggle to create a democratic status for the Kurdish people and also to the opening of political space that leads to the possible democratic changes in Iran. Principally our projects could have resolved the crises long time ago, and also it could have effectively contributed to the solution of the current crises. Simply it can be claimed that even though the Iranian regime has not responded to our democratic solutions, the current discourse regarding the elimination of all kind of racial discrimination and the right to study in native language is a result of continuous and democratic struggle of Kurdish and PJAK.
The failure of the current government in taking serious and concrete steps towards the Kurdish issue, do not mean that our democratic struggle failed or unvalued. Quite rightly the democratic and peaceful policies adopted by the Kurdish people toward the issues seems logical and appropriately responding to the demands of the Iranian people.
However, current governments’ focus on international issues and ignorance of domestic issues could hinder the whole reformation process which the current government promised to deliver. Discriminatory policies still systematically implemented in the Kurdish region. For example, release of some of the political prisoners was a positive step, however, there are still hundreds of Kurdish and other ethnic minorities’ political prisoners inside the regime’s prisons whom have been arrested and charged because of the democratic and peaceful activities which were aimed to create a democratic political atmosphere. Discrimination against minorities’ political prisoners is a self evident that the current government’s freedom and change promises are lacking ideological backup within the system.
If the regime’s democratic gestures in its international relation are not backed up by the Iranian people, it is highly likely that the gestures will fail and will not contribute the stability of the system in long term. Although foreign policies manoeuvre may minimise the regional and international pressures, Mr Rouhani must not forget that the character and the foundational of its government is dependent on internal policies, particularly the policies he may adopt toward the minorities rights. In this regard the Kurdish issue is one of the key pillars and effectively directs the political future of Iran. Whether by adoption of democratic policies, Rouhani’s government could use Kurdish question as a tool to escape the crises, it is a question which must be addressed by the Kurdish people.
We (PJAK) following current government’s policies within this framework and despite having a great theoretical and practical plan for the democratic solution of the issues, we will review our political positions depending on the democratic process.
At the end of our Public statement to the Kurds in Eastern Kurdistan, we are appealing to our people to follow the political changes in Iran seriously and concretely. Our policies toward the democratic achievement are rightly formulated and from now on by depending on our people’s capabilities it is possible to pursue our democratic demands and take more concrete steps with the aim to achieve our democratic demands.
Coordination of Free Life Party of Kurdistan – PJAK
20.10.2013