Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 24, 2023
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| Ural Hatemi |
Sociologist Ural Hatemi, in an interview with Voice of America, evaluated the calls for unity from some opposition groups abroad in Iran. Hatemi says that the terms and essence of this unity are determined by those who hold media power.
According to Ural Hatemi, "In the last month or two, the initiatives that appear to be for unity abroad do not actually represent the entire Iranian opposition. That is, unity is called for, but in reality, it is not unity. This is the unity of a small group that holds media and money, and there are many political groups, political discourses, and political movements that are either excluded from or not involved in this so-called unity."
Hatemi states that the conditions and nature of unity are defined by those who have media power:
"There are certain groups with strong media influence that monopolize important concepts under the name of unity. That is, they do not accept a unity outside of what they define. They set the table beforehand, they decide how many seats there will be, and they set the framework. Then they say, 'Come, let’s be united here.' But one side cannot define the terms of unity alone."
One of the most frequently voiced conditions for unity and cooperation in the Iranian opposition is the commitment to Iran's territorial integrity. Non-Persian communities argue that this condition is raised to deny their national rights.
According to Hatemi, the demands of the Turks and other non-Persian nations have been clear and explicit after years of activism. If a political group speaks of Iran's territorial integrity, this side must also affirm the right to self-determination.
In recent years, some forces affiliated with the Azerbaijani National Movement have joined alliances formed by other political groups in Iran. However, they later left these alliances because the other sides did not pay attention to the "sensitivities of South Azerbaijan."
Ural Hatemi says, "Our activists also have some shortcomings. If you are sitting at the table with other groups, first and foremost, you need to explain your sensitivities to them. You must also listen to their sensitivities. If a statement is to be made in the name of unity, or if a slogan is to be issued in the name of unity, these sensitivities should be taken into account. Not knowing the sensitive points of the group you are sitting with at the table or, worse, intentionally attacking those sensitive points, is essentially the dissolution of unity."
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Ural Hatəmi: Onların 'İranın ərazi bütünlüyü' şərtinə qarşı qeyri-farsların da 'öz müqəddəratını təyin etmə' şərti var