Taher Shir Mohammadi - Deutsche Welle Persian - 24 June 2009
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| Protests Against the Announced Election Results |
In regions where Iran’s ethnic minorities live, reformist candidates have historically won the majority of votes in presidential elections. How was it this time, and are ethnic groups also protesting the election results?
A Roundtable on the Role of Ethnic Groups in the Protests
Deutsche Welle discussed the role of ethnic groups in the current protests with Yousef Azizi Benitorof, an Iranian Arab writer and member of the Iranian Writers’ Association; Dr. Abdolsattar Doshoki, a Baluch political activist; and Alaeddin, an activist in the Azerbaijani National Movement in London. They shared their perspectives on the role of ethnic groups in the protests in Iran.
Yousef Azizi Benitorof: I wrote an article titled The Prominent Role of Ethnic Groups in Iran’s Presidential Election, where I emphasized that Iranian ethnic groups left their mark on this election. Each of the candidates, including Mr. Karroubi and Mr. Mousavi, was influenced to some extent by the "discourse of ethnic groups" and proposed programs to address some national issues. Arab activists actively participated in Mousavi and Karroubi’s campaigns. In the Arab Khuzestani community in Ahvaz, there is a strong emphasis on protesting electoral fraud and joining the demonstrations, adopting the slogans of the broader public. Groups such as Beit al-Arab and Ahwazi Arab Civil Society recently issued statements calling on the Arab people of Khuzestan to join the mass protests of the Iranian people and not separate their ranks, emphasizing that this is an issue that concerns all of us. These groups also urged Arab oil company workers to join any general strike that may be announced.
Deutsche Welle: Mr. Doshoki, after Ayatollah Khamenei’s Friday prayers speech in Tehran and the subsequent protests on Saturday, you emphasized in your articles that a "new phase" of the Iranian people’s struggle has begun. You also invited the Baluch and other ethnic groups to join the public protests. How should ethnic groups, such as the Baluch, participate in this new phase you propose?
Dr. Abdolsattar Doshoki: Baluch religious and political leaders have been cautious, observing the power struggle between the regime's factions, and refrained from supporting any particular side. However, Baluch people found their demands reflected in the platforms of Mr. Karroubi and, to some extent, Mr. Mousavi. Currently, we are in a new phase, and the factional conflict is no longer the issue. Now, the masses have entered the political equation. Our focus should be on the people, and we must steer these movements toward a structural change that benefits all Iranians. Participation in this effort is a duty for all of us.
Deutsche Welle: Mr. Alaeddin, some believe that in major Azerbaijani cities, people are not participating in the protests as actively as expected. Is Azerbaijan staying silent?
Alaeddin: The demonstrations or movements of the Azerbaijani Turkish people began roughly a month ago with the disqualification of Mr. Etemadi. In cities like Tabriz and Urmia, many arrests occurred, and much of the energy of these movements was expended before the elections. At that time, a council called the Coordinating Council of Azerbaijani National Movement Activists was established to guide protests in a principled manner. Currently, the atmosphere in Azerbaijan is highly securitized. Tabriz is practically under martial law, something we haven't seen in 30 years. However, protests have begun despite this repression, and even two individuals were martyred in Urmia. As the largest national minority in the country, Azerbaijanis are under special scrutiny from the government. Nevertheless, protests have started, and this atmosphere will be broken. If Azerbaijan rises, the current situation cannot continue in this way.
Deutsche Welle: Mr. Benitorof, what is the political situation in regions where ethnic minorities live? Are there protests in these areas alongside those in Tehran?
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| Yousef Azizi Benitorof: "The non-Persian ethnic groups should not separate themselves from the ranks of the Iranian people during this critical historical juncture." |
Benitorof: Protests and demonstrations are taking place in Tabriz, Ahvaz, and other non-Persian ethnic regions. In Ahvaz, Shahid Chamran University is under siege, and students are being arrested. Authorities have detained dozens of political activists on Imam Street to prevent public gatherings, requiring them to pledge not to leave their homes. This current uprising of the Iranian people is a general one, with the specific goal of overturning fraudulent election results. In this historic, decisive moment, non-Persian ethnic groups should not act separately from the broader Iranian populace.
Deutsche Welle: Despite what you've said, there is also an opinion that in regions inhabited by ethnic minorities, people have not participated in the protests as actively. Why do you think this is?
Benitorof: After the Arab protests in 2005, the Kurdish protests in Mahabad and Sanandaj, and the widespread protests in Azerbaijan in May 2006, there was no reciprocal support from civil activists in Tehran. I think this created skepticism among minority activists—Baluch, Kurds, Arabs, Turks, and Turkmens—which needs to be addressed. Leaders like Mr. Mousavi and Mr. Karroubi must encourage non-Persian groups to participate in protests and voice their demands. It would also help if nationwide political activists and parties called this a democratic movement and showed solidarity with these groups, addressing their feelings of abandonment over the past few years.
Deutsche Welle: Mr. Doshoki, do you also think that Mousavi and Karroubi should explicitly invite ethnic groups to participate in the protests?
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| Abdol-Sattar Doshouki: "I believe that we (the minorities) are also part of the nation, and everyone has been called upon to rise up." |
Doshoki: I’m not sure such a request would be interpreted correctly. It might suggest that ethnic groups are not inherently part of the movement, which could imply they see themselves as separate and require a special invitation. I believe the demands of ethnic groups should be addressed alongside those of religious minorities, women, and students. We are part of the nation, and we have all been called to rise. Ethnic issues should be framed within the broader struggle against dictatorship.
Deutsche Welle: Mr. Benitorof, we started this roundtable with you, and we’ll end it with you. In the current circumstances, how would more active participation by ethnic groups in the protests impact the political dynamics and power balance?
Benitorof: Without a doubt, the transformative power of non-Persian ethnic groups is immense. If they join the struggle, it will add significant strength to the Iranian people's fight. However, we need mechanisms to harmonize the demands of non-Persian ethnic groups with the broader public goals of this movement. This requires theoretical work. One approach is for the two reformist candidates to reiterate their commitment to the rights of non-Persian peoples and issue statements inviting them to participate in protests and strive for change.
Editorial Team: Mostafa Malekan
The link to the original article in Farsi on Deutsche Welle Persian:
اعتراضها در ایران و جایگاه اقوام در آن