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| Yadulla Kanani |
In September 1945, on the 69th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) in Tabriz, Southern Azerbaijani political activist Yadulla Kanani spoke with Voice of America about the reasons behind the party’s formation. He also assessed the activities of leftist groups in Southern Azerbaijan and Iran regarding the rights of non-Persian peoples and national issues since the period of the Azerbaijan National Government.
"After the Constitutional Revolution, the democratic front consisted of scattered and unorganized movements, making it impossible to achieve its goals. During World War II, when the Western Allies entered Iran, an opportunity arose to unite these fragmented movements. As a result, with the merger of various groups, the Azerbaijan Democratic Party was founded under the leadership of Seyid Jafar Pishevari," Kanani explains, emphasizing that the party's establishment was a historical necessity.
A journalist from 21 Azar magazine argues that the discourse on the “national issue” regarding the rights of non-Persian peoples was introduced by leftist groups not only in Azerbaijan but throughout Iran.
Southern Azerbaijani nationalist activists often criticize Iranian leftist groups and parties for remaining silent on the rights of non-Persian peoples, and in some cases, even aligning with Pan-Iranist movements. However, Yadulla Kanani does not share this criticism. He believes that all genuinely leftist and Iran-oriented groups acknowledge the national issue and try to address it in various ways.
According to the exiled Southern Azerbaijani activist, although leftist groups have been weak in practical efforts regarding national issues, their party programs have explicitly referenced the rights of non-Persian nations.
Kanani also expresses his belief that leftist groups from Iranian Azerbaijan have been active. He mentions the Azerbaijan Federal-Democratic Movement and websites such as Azerbaijan and Sol Gunaz as examples of Southern Azerbaijani leftist groups operating abroad.
He adds that within Iran, many leftist activists continue their work through non-governmental organizations.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Yədulla Kənani: Azərbaycan Demokrat Firqəsinin yaranması tarixi zərurət idi