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| Mehemmed Azadgar |
Mohammad Azadgar, the head of the executive board of the Azerbaijan Federal Democratic Movement (AFDH), spoke with Voice of America about the future of Iran, relations with ethnic communities living in Iran, and internal conflicts occurring in the region. He discussed his organization's policies, the recent statement titled "For a Democratic Iran!" and the AFDH's decision to withdraw from the Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran.
“Our members are mainly from the left. They have been leftists, coming from various organizations, including the Tudeh Party, Ranjbaran, Rah-e Kargār, and Fedayeen. The main issue of our organization is Azerbaijan, and about 13-14 years ago, we thought there was a need for such an organization in Azerbaijan, so we emerged with a democratic platform.”
He states that the AFDH seeks federalism for Iran and views Iranian Azerbaijan as part of a divided nation, alongside the Republic of Azerbaijan:
“Our goal is federalism. It’s about brotherhood among peoples. The North and the South are both our dear brothers; we are one nation divided in two. What will happen in the future, whether we will reunite or drift apart, is another matter. But for now, this is the situation,” the political activist adds.
Mohammad Azadgar explains that both of the statements recently released by the organization were related to the decision to withdraw from the Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran:
“With the statement ‘For a Democratic Iran,’ our goal was to redefine our position. Because in the Congress of Nationalities, a certain policy was being pursued, and this could create a specific atmosphere... Given the tensions in the Middle East (the Near East) and the events happening in the region, it became necessary for us to redefine our position and make it clear who we are and what we stand for.”
The Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran, according to its website, is composed of about 10 organizations and groups representing the regions of Iranian Kurdistan, Baluchistan, Ahvaz, Turkmen Sahra, and Azerbaijan.
The member organizations of the Congress are not equal in terms of power and influence in their respective regions. Some of these organizations, including the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and the Komele Party of Iranian Kurdistan, have numerous armed fighters and offices or camps in several countries, while others do not have any operational centers or offices.
The most influential organization in the Congress, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), recently issued a statement announcing that its armed forces (Peshmerga fighters) had begun operations inside the country and would not hesitate to fight Iranian security forces when necessary. Following the statement, several violent confrontations occurred between the party's Peshmerga fighters and the Sepah forces, with casualties on both sides.
Mohammad Azadgar emphasizes that the AFDH's decision to withdraw from the Congress was primarily due to the PDKI’s return to armed activity:
“In this situation, there is no reason for us to remain in the Congress of Nationalities. We no longer wish to follow the general policies of the Kurdistan Democratic Party or the Congress. Being part of it practically ties us to their policies. This is why we made the decision to withdraw.”
Azadgar further highlights that the PDKI’s return to armed activity is linked to the growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. However, according to Azadgar, the PDKI rejects this view.
The Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran issued a statement on its website in response to AFDH’s withdrawal, noting:
“The representatives of the Azerbaijan Federal Democratic Movement have never participated in our regular or online meetings, and they did not share the criticisms they published in their withdrawal decision either in writing or verbally with the Congress or its member organizations.”
Mohammad Azadgar also shared his views with Voice of America on the terminology used by his organization.
He explained that the term “nationality” in AFDH statements refers to the ethnic groups in regions like Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Ahvaz, and Baluchistan, such as Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Baluchis, while the term “ethnicity” is used to refer to smaller communities, such as the Talysh people, who do not have a distinct political geography.
He added, “When we say the Azerbaijani people, we mean not only the Turks but also the Kurds, Talysh, Assyrians, and Armenians who live in the political geography of Azerbaijan.”
The head of the AFDH’s executive board further stated, “We generally believe that without cooperation with the nations living in our country, this country will not see freedom and democracy. I believe that we must collaborate with the Kurds, Baluchis, and Arabs. Unfortunately, the Congress of Nationalities was not able to do this, otherwise, the nations should work together and in brotherhood.”
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Məhəmməd Azadgər: Artıq ‘Federal İranın Milliyətləri Konqresi’ tərkibində qala bilməzdik