.jpg) |
| Simin Sabri |
Simin Sabri considers the Persian proficiency test an initiative that contradicts democracy, human rights, and children's rights. She criticizes both Persian-language media and the Iranian opposition for remaining silent on the issue. At the same time, she highlights that non-Persian communities have also failed to respond to this project in an organized manner.
"There is a common issue here. Naturally, it was expected that both the Persian and non-Persian opposition—especially those who claim to be secular democrats—would strongly oppose this project, as it contradicts democracy, human rights, and children's rights… But for some reason, we did not see this reaction in Persian-centric media, the mainstream media," she said.
The Azerbaijan Democratic Union, of which Simin Sabri is a member, is part of the Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran alliance. This alliance issued a statement condemning the Persian proficiency test initiative as an attempt to erase non-Persian identities.
According to Sabri, three organizations within the alliance—The Temporary Council of Iran’s Left Socialists, The Organization of the Iranian People's Fedai Guerrillas–Unity, and The Movement of Iranian Democratic and Secular Republicans—signed this statement.
She emphasized the importance of alliances and cooperation platforms to strongly oppose the government’s undemocratic actions:
"If we practice standing by each other—despite our different views on other issues—and if we learn to collaborate on our common fundamental demands, our mere presence would act as a driving force. Because we talk to them, we hold meetings. When our children's rights are violated, they cannot remain silent."
However, Simin Sabri does not place all groups that remain silent on the issues of non-Persian communities into the same category.
"For example, the silence of monarchists on this issue is different—especially those who claim Persian is the eternal and ancient language of this land. Their silence is not the same as that of feminist groups. Naturally, our expectations from feminist groups are entirely different. We expect much more from them… But another important question is: How much solidarity have we, as non-Persians, been able to create? Standing hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder… Have we, as Turks, done this among ourselves? Have Kurds done this among themselves? This, too, has not been very visible," she added.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Simin Səbri: İranda milli azlıqlar daha mütəşəkkil şəkildə hərəkət etməlidirlər