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| Said Azizi, political activist |
Said Azizi believes that no powerful centralized state in Iran will be able to govern the country’s diverse peoples in peace and harmony. In an interview with Voice of America, the spokesperson for the Azerbaijan Democratic Union (Union) discussed recent political regimes being considered as alternatives to the Islamic Republic.
A few weeks ago, ten political organizations opposing the current government, including the organization to which Said Azizi belongs, released a joint statement announcing their alliance based on the principles of republicanism, federalism, and democracy.
The spokesperson of the Azerbaijan Democratic Union expresses that this alliance is not temporary, but rather a permanent force in the struggle against the Islamic Republic.
Azizi highlights that federalism is a topic of serious debate among Iran's various political groups at the moment.
"Some organizations representing oppressed nations, such as Turks, Arabs, and Kurds, rightfully bring up the issue of federalism. But beyond them, the issue of federalism is also being discussed among groups belonging to the Persian community or among opposition groups in general. There are supporters as well as opponents," the political activist states.
The spokesperson for the Union organization adds, "Some parts of the opposition view federalism as a system for the salvation of Iran. Because this system could protect nations from conflicts and wars. Everyone would have equal rights. Everyone would have a government in their own region. Everyone could elect their own representative."
Said Azizi stresses that peace and equality between Iran's various nations will not be ensured under a powerful centralized state.
He adds, "Some parts of the opposition also see the weakening of the central government in Iran as equivalent to the collapse of Iran itself. This is not a correct perspective. This has been experienced in both the Shah’s and Khomeini’s time..."
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
“Mərkəzləşdirici rejimlər millətləri bir-birindən uzaqlaşdırır”