Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran

The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran ( _ku. Hîzbî Dêmokiratî Kurdistanî Êran) is a Kurdish opposition group in Iranian Kurdistan which seeks the attainment of Kurdish national rights within a democratic federal republic of Iran.The current General Secretary of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan is Mustafa Hijri.

Historical Background

"Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan" (PDK-I) was founded in Mahabad, Iran, on August 16, 1945. PDK-I replaced the Komeley Jiyanewey Kurd (Council of Kurdish Resurrection) which had been formed three years earlier. Just 159 days after its foundation in January 22, 1946, the Party, availing itself of expedient circumstances in a section of Iranian Kurdistan, established the " Republic of Kurdistan ", usually referred to by historians as the Republic of Mahabad , the reason being its choice of Mahabad as the capital.

The Republic of Mahabad lasted not more than 11 months. Following a pact signed by the Iranian central government and the ex-Soviet Union (which supported the PDK-I and the secession of the Kurdistan province from Iran), the Iranian army launched a vast offensive into the region, destroying the " Republic " December 17, 1946. The " Republic " having collapsed, a great number of PDKI leaders were imprisoned, of whom 20 people including Qazi Muhammad (Ghazi Mohammad or Qazî Mihemmed), head of the Party and president of the Republic, M. Hossein Seyfi-Ghazi, minister of Defence, and Abulghassem Sadri-Ghazi, a member of the Iranian Parliament from Mahabad, were hanged in the capital of the Republic, and the others in Saqez and Bukan.

In less than two years after the collapse of the Republic, PDKI started its political and organizational activities anew, striking roots in some parts of Iranian Kurdistan.

Following the collapse of Dr. Mossadegh's government in 1953, when democratic rights and freedoms of the peoples throughout Iran were suppressed, PDKI's activities came almost to a standstill. A great number of Party activists were either imprisoned or went underground, though they resumed their activities after a very short time.

Two widespread police raids against the Party in 1959 and 1964 dealt heavy blows to its organization: some 300 Party activists were imprisoned, with an even greater number hiding away or fleeing Iran. Nevertheless, not having sunk into despair, the Party embarked on the task of reviving its organization. Its activities picked up such a speed that in 1967-68, a large number of its members and high-ranking cadres started an armed insurrection - lasting 18 months - against the Shah's regime. But as this armed movement lacked a safe rear zone, the Shah's regime managed to crush it.

The Kurdish Iranians in Iranian Kurdistan and PDKI played an active part in the Iranian people's uprising against the Shah's dictatorship. A group of PDK-I leaders, who were living in exile either in neighbouring countries or in Europe, returned to Iran before the collapse of the monarchy, actively participating in the uprising of the Kurdish people and assuming the status of leadership in the movement.

The uprising of the Iranian people having succeeded, PDK-I declared its public activities in a meeting held in Mahabad, which was attended by representatives from all parts of Iranian Kurdistan. Despite the Party's sincere endeavours to settle its differences over the democratic rights and freedoms of the Kurdish people peacefully with the newly established regime in Tehran, the rulers in Tehran did not give into the PDK-I.

On 13 July 1989, Dr. Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou, Secretary-general of PDK-I, and two of his collaborators, were assassinated in Vienna, Austria as they were negotiating with envoys of the Iranian regime, at the latter's invitation, for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue in Iran. Dr. Ghassemlou's successor, Dr. Sadeq Sharafkandi met with the same fate on 17 September 1992 in Berlin where he had attended the Congress of the Socialist International.

PDK-I Congresses

PDK-I has held thirteen congresses.
*The 1st congress was convened in 1945,
*the 2nd in 1964,
*the 3rd in 1971,
*the 4th in 1980,
*the 5th in 1982,
*the 6th in 1984,
*the 7th in 1985,
*the 8th in 1988,
*the 9th in 1992,
*the 10th in 1995,
*the 11th in 1997,
*the 12th in 2000
*the 13th in 2004
*and the last congress was held in September 2008.

During the 20th Congress of the Socialist International held in the UN headquarters in New York (9-11 September 1996), PDK-I was given the status of observer member. In 2005, PDK-I's membership was elevated to consultive status.The highest body of PDK-I is its Central Committee, which is usually composed of 21 permanent and 10 substitute members. The Central Committee also elects about 7 of its members as the Political Bureau, which also includes the Secretary-general.2005-07-19

Main Principles

*PDK-I rejects all acts of terrorism.
*PDK-I's long-term objective is to establish a socialist democratic society.
*PDK-I supports the fight of peoples of the world for their freedom and against oppressive and reactionary regimes. It supports peace and friendship between the peoples of all countries.
*PDK-I supports the national struggle of Kurds in other part of Kurdistan.

PDKI Fights For:

*A democratic, independent and non-aligned Iran
*The right of the peoples of Iran to self-determination
*Realization of worker's social and economic demands
*Equality of men and women in society and within the family
*Separation of religion and State

Part I Programme Preamble:

1- The struggle history of the Kurdish nation is one of the longest and bloodiest history of he world’s oppressed people. After the war of 1514 A.D. between the two Safawid and Ottaman empires in Chalderan, Kurdistan was practically partitioned between these two empires, and in the year 1639 with the signing of a treaty between King Abas Safawi and Soltan Morad Osmani, the partition became official. The liberation struggle of Sheikh Obidolla Nahri (1880) was the birth of Kurdish national struggle against occupiers for an independent Kurdistan. The early years of 20th Century witnessed a burgeoning national liberation movement where numerous Kurdish political movements emerged across Kurdistan; however, due to regional powers’ plans and bargain with the world powers, each one of them failed. When the Second World War started, the struggle of the free-willing nations against reactionism and fascism advanced. Concurrently, a historical necessity was felt to establish a political organization in the Iranian part of Kurdistan that could lead liberation struggle of the Kurdish nation. With the annexation of Iran by the allied forces and the downfall of Reza Shah’s two decades of tyranny in Iranian Kurdistan, conditions to carry on the struggle forward were favourable. The Kurdish leaders took advantage of this historic opportunity and formed Democratic Party of Kurdistan in August 16, 1945.

Thus, the creation of Democratic Party of Kurdistan was both the product of a historical necessity and an indication of a new awareness and vigilance of the pioneers of the Kurdish people. Since then, Democratic Party of Kurdistan that has gathered together the Kurdish revolutionaries among its ranks is the guide and the organizer of revolutionary struggle of the popular masses in Iranian Kurdistan.

The creation of the Democratic Party of Kurdistan represents a major change in the history of the Kurdish people, and marks the beginning of a new phase in our nation’s struggle. It was under the leadership of our Party that the Kurdish people for the first time in their contemporary were able to establish a national government in a part of Kurdistan. The Republic lasted only eleven months, and after setback of the movement of the Iranian people, military dictatorship was once again imposed on all Iranian Kurdistan. However, the Kurdish people did not give up the fight, and still continued their struggle to realize their inveterate ideas.

Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) has left behind 59 years of difficult struggle, full of obstacles, and filled with sacrifices. It is evident that our Party in this period has become more competent, and has earned experiences from the Kurdish people and other nations’ struggles.

2- In the second half of the 20th century, scientific and technological advancements and high-speed communication networks have altered the image of the world. Many of the tyrannical and reactionary regimes have collapsed and have been replaced by more transparent and democratic systems. Scores of nations have attained their rights to self-determination, and established their own independent state. Those regimes and systems that rely on violence and aggression, their days are numbered. In general, the oppressed nations and those social forces who are able to control their destiny and advance their society, are witnessing a brighter optimism to establish a more humane, developed and free society.

After the demise of the former Soviet Bloc in 1991, two important issues have gained prominency in the global dimension, and revealed their real value: first, national issue and the necessity to accommodate the national rights of oppressed people of the world. Even though it had been claimed for 70 years that there was not an issue such as national question in the socialist countries, still, when the Soviet system was demolished, and an appropriate opportunity was brought about for the people in these countries, we observed how these people stepped into the centre of struggle and established their national governments.

Second, it was the issue of democracy. This issue that was opposed in major parts of the world under the banner of protecting and defending workers’ interests, finally proved its necessity in a way that resulted in the overthrowing of many dictatorial regimes, and many others fearing that they might fall into an uncertain destiny, opened their gates to democracy, and adapted themselves to modern conditions.

3- The Middle East has taken on a particular importance in international relations, especially in the strategies of the larger states. Geographically, it is the meeting point of the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Economically speaking, this region is extremely rich in mineral resources, where more than 50% of the world’s oil reserves are concentrated.

Moreover, the presence of national liberation movements, especially the Kurdish and Palestinian national movements that are a natural reaction against colonial divisions of the region in the region, have increased the importance and the value of the Middle East in the international forces’ calculations and analysis.

All these realities have forged the prominent powers to carefully analyse all the developments and changes of the Middle East, and to be aware of any events in the region, and react to them. The events of the last 20-25 years, and continued prominence and practical presence of the military forces of foreign states, especially the United States in the region are apparent evidence to such a reality.

After the events of September 11, 2001, the invasion of Afghanistan by the coalition forces led by the United States, overthrowing the regime of fundamentalist Islamic Taliban and the rooting out of the Al-Qaeda terror network from that country was the birth of major changes in the Middle East. Soon after that, the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein collapsed under the military invasion of the United States and its allies. This event also shook the region as an earth quake. We can state that no events after the Second World War have shaped the region so much. Particularly, the countries of the Middle East who have potential political, economic, ethnic and religious conflicts are worried that political balance of the region might change, preventing them from continuing their repressive rulings.

The success of Iraqi people in building a free and democratic country will influence the people of the region. The disillusioned people are waiting for an opportunity to confront their oppressors to attain freedom, democracy and their national rights. Currently, the national struggle of the Kurdish nation has stepped into a decisive stage. The political rights of Kurds in Iraq based on geographic and ethnic federalism in the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) has been recognized. The placement of such an arrangement will be a good model to settle Kurdish issue in other parts of Kurdistan.

4- During the period following the Second World War, Iran was exposed to many economic, social and political transformations. In fact, it was impossible for Iran to remain removed from the considerable developments that had taking place throughout the world. However, the changes that had been introduced in Iran were not in any way reflective of the magnitude of natural and economic resources of our country. Iran is still considered as an underdeveloped country; popular masses still live under utter poverty; large portions of the population, particularly in the countryside are still illiterate and deprived from medical and treatment assistance.

With the coming to power of the Islamic regime in 1979, Iran encountered retrogression from a few directions. While our country enjoyed an abundant natural resources, and even though it was situated within the reign of another dictatorship, it was going to obtain a decent position in the world community, the newly empowered clerics separated our country from the developed world by adopting policies based on animosity with the civilized developed world, and embarked on dragging the country back into the Middle Ages. Iran’s economy that was about to stand on itself, and join the circle of economic powers of the region and the world, encountered disorder in such a way that now it is one of the most unstable economies; for instance, the value of its currency has deflated 12 000 percent on average relative to major world currencies.

Suppression of freedom has become the routine policies of the Islamic Republic authorities. None of the independent parties, organizations and syndicates enjoys the freedom to be active. Individual and collective freedoms have been exploited in its worst manner possible, and any opposition voices have been responded with detainment, imprisonment, torture, and even terror and execution. In this manner, Iran has become a large prison camp for all freedom-loving and freedom-thinking individuals.

5- Economically as well as socially, Iranian Kurdistan is considered as an underdeveloped region within an underdeveloped country. Although Kurdistan is rich in natural and mineral resources, in many aspects it is regarded as one of the most underdeveloped regions of Iran. Social and economic developments, especially industrial are well below national average. In medical and cultural aspects, there has been little or no improvement in the livelihood of Kurdistan inhabitants. The standards of living remains extremely low, and the farmers and workers live in an abject poverty and misery, and the countryside is practically without any form of health and medical services.

National oppression is noticeable in all political, economic, social and cultural aspects: the majority of regional administrators are appointed from Tehran, and the Kurdish people have little say in the administration of their own affairs; despite the existence of natural resources, no economic or industrial projects is conducted in Kurdistan; no independent political parties, organizations or unions are allowed to operate freely; the Kurdish children are forced to study in Persian in their first year of school, and the right of studying in their mother tongue has been taken away from them; thus, Kurdistan has become a prison for the Kurdish people of Iran.

6- Majority of these shortages and problems had existed in Iran during the monarchical ruling. The monarchical regime in Iran had never allowed our country to take the path of growth and development independently. Human rights and freedom of masses had been violated, and a deep contradiction between the rulers and the masses of Iranian people had been created, a contrast that its remedy was only a deep populace revolution. At the end, in 1978, the popular masses of Iran entered the stage in an unprecedented way, and after a year of resistance and tolerating countless victims, wound up the reign of monarchy.

No doubt the revolution of the peoples of Iran was one of the most important events in the history of our country, and at the same time, it contained many precious experiences for those fighting for freedom and independence. The Iranian revolution demonstrated that whenever the people of a country break the chains of servitude with sacrifices and unity, no power can bloc their way, and they will finally overcome all the obstacles obstructing victory.

Even though the sombre period of the Pahlavi dynasty’s dictatorship succeeded in uniting all the layers of society against the regime of Mohammad Reza Shah, regrettably, the democratic and revolutionary forces of Iran did not possess a common program that would have enabled them to establish a government after the fall of the monarchy. Furthermore, none of the patriotic forces in Iran were capable of uniting the popular masses, and capture political power by themselves; thus, a group of religious and retrograde fanatics, the clerics, exploiting the religious feelings of the population, appropriated for themselves the fruits of a revolution that had been paid for by the blood and tears of the children of the people of Iran, and imposed their domination on the whole of the country.

As a result of such conditions the Iranian revolution remained unsuccessful and failed to fulfil the hopes and objectives of the masses of Iranian people. For such means, thirsting for freedom, the people of Iran confronted the Shah’s equipped army with their bare hands, and sacrificed thousands of their youth hoping that democratic principles would be established all over the country; the workers who form the majority of the country’s population and played a major role in the victory of the revolution, would be saved from misery and the oppressed people of Iran would be granted their legitimate national rights under a democratic regime.

The reactionary elements that grabbed the fruits of the struggle and the sacrifice of the people of Iran, in contrary to the expectations of the popular masses prevented the most sacred wishes of the people to become realized. With the establishment of this reactionary regime, the democratic freedoms have been even more heavily trampled than during the monarchist epoch. The dispossessed and the toiling masses of our country have been confronted with poverty, high cost of living and unemployment more than ever, and the new government has not yet taken any effective steps to solve the many problems of every day of their life. Not only the oppressed peoples of Iran have not yet obtained their legitimate rights, but also all their rightful claims have been responded with fire and blood.

The theocratic dictatorship has been not only unable to tolerate any dissenting opinions, but it has also reacted violently against any form of thinking different from its reactionary beliefs even if they have not opposed the regime. In the course of the last quarter of the century, the Islamic regime has not abandoned its barbaric treatment of freedom activists from different segments of society.

This dictatorship’s unpleasant image was revealed most flagrantly in Kurdistan. Although the Kurdish population had taken on a very active role in the Iranian revolution, and even though through their representatives our people had tried to obtain their legitimate rights in a peaceful way and by negotiations, the reactionary regime of the mullahs not only rejected the rightful claims of the Kurdish people, but it also launched its army into Kurdistan, and issued mass murders. Moreover, Khomeini in contrary to Islamic principles declared a holy war against the Kurdish Muslim population, and proclaimed that it was lawful to murder the young, the old, the men and women of Kurdistan.

It has been more 25 years that war has been waged against the Kurdish population. The region has been so much militarised that it has become a large army barrack. Currently, there are thousands of regime’s military bases in Kurdistan. In this period more than 4,000 members of PDKI and approximately 50,000 civilians have sacrificed their lives defending their honour and freedom. However, the revolutionary movement of the Kurdish people is more than ever determined to fight against the oppression of the mullahs and continue its resistance in various ways. In such a manner, the reactionary and bloodthirsty regime of Islamic Republic has demonstrated its hostility to the rightful claims of the people and to all the international rules and laws, and has declared war on all the patriotic forces in Iran.

In order to free Iran from oppression of dictatorship, PDKI deems it necessary to establish a federal democratic system, which will heed the rightful claims of the peoples of Iran instead of the unpopular and reactionary regime of the clerics.

7- To realize a solution to the issue of nationalities within the framework of a federal democratic system, PDKI considers the unity of the democratic and patriotic forces of Iran as fundamental conditions. Our Party believes that for the democratic movement in Iran not once again find itself without a program, and its achievements become plundered, the democratic and progressive forces of Iran must from now on agree on a common platform for the country’s future.

To obtain such a union, our Party also fights against the Iranian chauvinism, which denies the existence of the Kurdish people, and against the narrow-minded nationalism of those Kurds who make no distinction between the central dictatorship and the peoples of Iran. Iranian chauvinism and the narrow-mined Kurdish nationalism are both the enemies of the union of the peoples of Iran. At the same time, our Party believes that the danger of arrogant Iranian chauvinism to be a major threat at present times.

It is more than 25 years that PDKI has led the Kurdish people’s uprising against the savage aggression of the clerical regime with competence and skilfulness. The struggle, resistance and sacrifices of our heroic members, supporters and sympathizers have increased the respect and influence of our Party among the masses. PDKI currently has not only been the most widely respected political party in Iranian Kurdistan, but it has also gained the respect of other nationalities of Iran, and of the progressive organizations within Iran and abroad.

PDKI presents this Programme to the people of Kurdistan, and request from all those who live in Kurdistan consisting of workers, farmers, urban and rural toilers, intellectuals, students, civil servants, craftsmen, traders and all patriots of every social stratum to strive for the realization of its objectives. Party members and sympathizers are to circulate the Programme among the Kurdish masses and expound the Party views on political, social, economic and cultural issues. It is necessary that the peoples of other regions in Iran become informed of the Kurdish and our Party’s essential claims.

PDKI is the main political force in Iranian Kurdistan that has the support of the majority of the Kurdish population; therefore, we must do all we can to mobilize the considerable forces of our people to carry out objectives that have been put into our Party’s Programme. In such a case the Party will become a powerful material force, and will be able to fulfil the legitimate rights of the Kurds in Iran within the framework of a democratic federal Iran.

PDKI has documented its objectives in this Programme. It will be up to the future autonomous regional government within a democratic Iran to achieve these goals.

Chapter I

General Objectives

1- PDK-I is the pioneer party of the people of Iranian Kurdistan, and together with the progressive forces all over Iran struggles to safeguard Iran’s independence, and establish a democratic regime in Iran to obtain the rights of the Kurdish people in Iranian Kurdistan to self-determination.

2- The long-term objective of PDK-I is to establish a democratic socialist society.

3- The strategic motto of PDK-I is the establishment of a democratic federal Iran and the attainment of Kurdish national rights in Iranian Kurdistan.

4- PDK-I considers the oppressed nationalities of Iran as its strategic allies, and supports their national struggle to attain their national rights.

5- Support for the national-democratic struggle of Kurdish people in other parts of Kurdistan is the leading principle of PDK-I.

6- PDK-I supports the liberation struggle of all the people of the world, and supports peace and friendship of the people in all the countries.

Chapter II

Principles of Kurdistan Regional Government

7- Kurdistan is one of the regional governments of democratic federal Iran.

8- The regional government comprises the whole territory of Iranian Kurdistan. The geographical dimension of the regional government of Kurdistan will be defined by taking into account the geographic and economic factors, and the demand of the majority of the people living in every region inhabited by Kurds.

9- In the autonomous region of Kurdistan, the power in its totality is derived from the people, and will be exercised through their representatives at the Kurdish parliament and the regional governmental bodies.

10- Affairs concerning international relations (political and economic), national defence (the army), long-term economic planning and the monetary system will be the prerogatives of the Federal government. Aside from the mentioned cases, the legitimacy of administrating the governmental institutions in Kurdistan is under the supervision of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The people of the autonomous region of Kurdistan and their compatriots throughout Iran will take part legally and without any discrimination in the administration of the country’s affairs.

11- Kurdistan Region has its own national anthem, flag and festivities. In Kurdistan region, the flag of federal Iran will be flying along side the Kurdistan flag.

12- Federal Supreme Court will be formed equally of all the experts of all the nations of Iran. It will review all the legal conflicts between the federal government and the regional governments.

13- The Parliament of Kurdistan is the highest legislative authority in the autonomous region of Kurdistan. The representatives are elected by direct suffrage, secret ballot and equal vote.

14- The Parliament of Kurdistan designates the KRG, which will be answerable to the Parliament of Kurdistan.

15- Internal order and security are in the hands of the Peshmergas and other law enforcing institutions in the autonomous region. The army is responsible to defend the country’s sovereignty and national borders, and does not have the right to interfere in maintaining internal security and internal law enforcing affairs.

16- The Kurdish language is the official language of education and correspondence within internal administration in the autonomous region of Kurdistan. Persian language will also be the official language of the region, as well as other regions of Iran, and will be taught in schools along with Kurdish.

17- The administrative correspondence between the autonomous region of Kurdistan and the federal government, and other regional administrations related to the federal government will take place in the Persian language.

18- All the non-Kurdish inhabitants of the autonomous region of Kurdistan will be provided with resources to promote their own culture, and study in their own language.

Chapter III

Rights of the Kurdistan Region’s Inhabitants

19- All the rights and freedoms defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the conventions related to the Declaration regarding freedom of thought and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of association political and other organizational activities, workers and farmers unions and councils, democratic associations, freedom to choose one’s occupations and residence, and finally freedom of religion will be guaranteed in the autonomous Kurdistan as in the other regions of Iran.

All the inhabitants of Kurdistan region have equal social, economic, political and cultural rights without any discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity and religion.

20- Religion is separate from the state.

21- Men and women have equal rights within the family and society, and receive equal pay for equal work.

The KRG must provide the female workers and employees with maternity leave with pay for the period before and after accouchement.

22- KRG will pay special attention to the nurturing and fostering of children.

Chapter IV

Economic and Social Policy

23- The KRG is responsible for providing economic development basis through scientific planning in the autonomous region. The distribution of resources by the Federal government will be arranged in a way that the income per capita of the inhabitants of the autonomous region of Kurdistan is more considering its present state of under-development, in order to compensate the effects of under-development resulting from national oppression.

24- Kurdistan and all of Iran’s main path to economic development is possible through industrialization of the country through scientific and technological attainments on one hand, and the needs and natural capabilities of the country on the other. Introducing fundmental economic and social changes that are necessary for industrialization should be one of the most fundamental responsibilities of the federal government and the KRG.

25- The KRG must use public economic sector, which is considered as the main segment for development, to establish developed industries in Kurdistan, and also supports local and national industries. Aside from the public sector, the cooperative and private sectors should also participate in the industrialization of the country.

26- All the mineral resources, including waters, forests and pastures of Kurdistan that are considered as public riches, will be nationalized, and the KRG with the cooperation of the federal government will use these resources to the best interests of all the people of Iran.

27- Increasing agricultural production via mechanizing the industry and utilizing scientific methods in agriculture, planning, conducting irrigation programs and the construction of dams comprise major segments of economic policies of the KRG.

28- The KRG should work for the development of domestic trade, and encourage commercial and professional activities in Kurdistan.

29- Raising the standards of living of the people of Kurdistan should be the underlying economic policy of the KRG. The KRG should use all the forces and capabilities at its disposal to provide the Kurdistan inhabitants with a livelihood suitable with the current century.

30- The principle of 40 hours of work a week will be applied everywhere. Workers subjected to hard physical labour must work fewer hours. Minimum wages will be determined taking into account the costs of living, and will increase with the raise in the standards of living. Workers are insured against industrial injuries, sicknesses, disability and old-age. The employment of youngsters below the age of 15 is prohibited. Adequate social and economic conditions should be created to reduce unemployment and eventually to eradicate it.

31- There still exists injustice in agricultural land ownership; therefore, it is necessary to introduce important changes into the existing agricultural ownership to the benefit of toiling villagers who own no land.

32- The KRG must help farmers to attain modern agricultural equipments. Also the KRG must purchase their products at appropriate prices, and grant them long-term loans with low rate of interest. Farmers will gradually be insured first against work symptoms and accidents, and then disability and old-age.

33- The KRG must pay great attention to the issues of education and training, and provides all necessary training, educational and safe recreational facilities for the youth.

34- The KRG should pay special attention to the issue of livestock, and grants the breeders the most favourable grazing conditions, and acquaints them with modern, scientific breeding methods.

35- The protection of the environment, natural resources, lakes, forests, and protection of wild species such as birds and water creatures should be among the major tasks of the KRG; therefore, unregulated and excessive haunting will be prevented. In addition, choosing types and locations of new industries such as building roads and rail roads must take place along with protecting the environment and their compatibility with nature,

36- The KRG must place tourism as its top priority, and protect the historical monuments and relics of the past.

Chapter V

Cultural and Health Policies

37- All the children in Kurdistan, boys and girls must attend school until fifteen years old. The KRG should endeavour to eradicate illiteracy as quickly as possible. In the autonomous region the government takes care of educational fees for primary studies, and at other levels, education will be free of charge. The KRG should also take care of educational expenses for the children of workers, farmers and other low-income social categories in all educational centres, and it should also take care of university fees for gifted and advanced students of low-income families.

38- The KRG will be committed to develop and increase the cultural level of the population and to create cultural, scientific and sport foundations, such as cinemas, national theatres, sport centres, universities and higher educational centres, and it will do all it can to collect and preserve the cultural heritage of the Kurdish nation.

39- Paying attention to the development of Kurdish language and literature, and supporting Kurdish writers, artists and scientists should be one of the basic tenets of the autonomous Government’s cultural policy.

40- The KRG should pursue a policy that will encourage experts and intellectuals to serve their country with fervour and dedication.

41- The KRG should strive to improve sanitary conditions for all citizens, and creates conditions to afford every citizen free medical and health services. The KRG will take necessary actions for the creation of convalescent homes, day nurseries, maternity homes, and forborne and will establish specialized institutions for the protection of the disabled and the solitary elderly people.

Chapter VI

Characteristic of the Federal Republic of Iran

42-All the nations of Iran without any discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity and gender will participate in the forming of the Federal Republic of Iran, and this must be entrenched in the constitution of the Federal Republic.

43-The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Iran must be drawn up in accordance with the international standards of human rights and other international covenants, where the national rights of Iranian nationalities will be recognized within their geographic and ethnic borders.

44- The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Iran must grant jurisdiction to the regional administrations over the areas of their concern.

45- The federal Republic of Iran will not join any pact that advocates aggression against other countries.

Chapter VII

Foreign Policy

Regarding foreign policy, which comes under the authority of the Federal government, PDK-I asserts that:

46- The Federal government of Iran should establish relations with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and the recognition of national sovereignty right, and establish friendly relations with progressive and democratic countries that respect human rights.

47- The Federal government of Iran should defend international peace and peaceful coexistence among the states within the United Nations and elsewhere, and support the resolving of international conflicts peacefully and by negotiations unless the international community deems it necessary to pursue other options.

48- The federal government of Iran should become an axiom for assisting the struggle of oppressed nationalities of the world, particularly those in the Middle East, and it should grant political asylum to the freedom-loving patriots. Within the framework of such policy acknowledged and endorsed by the Federal government, the KRG will support every means of liberation struggle of neighbouring countries, and will grant political asylum to any Kurdish patriot who seeks asylum.

Part II Internal Regulations

Article I: Name and Identity of the Party

1- The Party’s name is: “Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan” (PDKI).

2- PDKI is the progressive Party of the people of Iranian Kurdistan that particularly absorbs workers, farmers, and progressive intellectuals into its ranks.

Article II: =Party Membership=

All citizens residing in Iranian Kurdistan and all the Iranian Kurds have the right to become members of PDKI on the following conditions:

- Not to be less than eighteen years old.

- To accept the Party’s Programme and Internal Regulation.

- To be a patriotic and progressive citizen of certified good character.

N.B.:

None-Iranian Kurds are entitled to join organizations and associations affiliated with PDKI, and if they reside in Iranian Kurdistan for more than 5 years they become eligible for membership.

Article III: =Terms of Admission=

For one to be granted membership, one must:

- Be sponsored by two Party members.

- Go through a probationary period of at least six months.

- Not to be member of another party or any other political organization.

- Be accepted with the approval of the majority of the members of a cell or a higher organ of the Party.

N.B.:

Members who have obtained residency abroad, and are recognized as official citizen of that country, can become members of organizations of their residing country.

Article IV: =Duties of a Party Member=

A Party member is obligated to:

- Work for the realization of the Party’s objectives as set forth in its Programme.

- Strive for the preservation of the Party’s political and organizational unity with all capabilities.

- Obey Party disciplines as defined in Internal Regulations.

- Be active in one of the Party organs.

- Maintain Party confidentialities.

- Strive to widen her/his level of political and social knowledge and awareness.

- Distribute Party policies among popular masses, and strengthen the Party’s relations with the people, and apply their ideas and experiences.

- Pay membership fee.

N.B.:

Individuals who are not in a position to perform the full duties of a member, but have organizational ties with the Party and support its policies are called “sympathizers”.

Article V: =Rights of a Party Member=

A Party member has the right to:

- Be admitted to each organs of the Party.

- Criticize any member or organ during Party meetings.

- Express viewpoints, ask questions or submit proposals to any Party organ via organizational method.

- Lodge complaints against any organ to a higher authority.

- Be present at any meetings of her/his organ that analyses her/his political and Party activeness, and decides about her/him.

Article VI: =Punishment of a Member=

Members who do not perform their duties or behave in a manner contrary to the Internal Party Regulations or commit acts harmful to the Party’s reputation will be punished according to the degree of the offence. Punishments consist of:

- Verbal reprimand

- Written reprimand

- Withdrawal of responsibility

- Suspension of membership

- Expulsion from the Party

N.B.:

1- The longest suspensions period is one year. The suspended member will be deprived of her/his rights as set forth in Article V for the period of the suspension; therefore, after the end of the suspension period, she/he can be given responsibility according to her/his Party record and the opinion of the concerned organ.

2- Party punishments will be imposed with the agreement of the majority of the members of the Party organ to which the member belongs.

3- The objectives of the punishment is to discipline the member, and will be imposed only when other means such as criticism and advice are not effective in her/his behaviours.

4- An expelled member has the right to appeal to a higher Party authority or can also send her/his appeal to the Congress.

5- A suspended member retains only her/his membership not organizational status after finishing the suspension period.

Article VII: =The Organizational Structure of the Party=

1- The fundamental organizational structure of the Party will be guided by:

- From top to bottom in the hierarchy all Party bodies are elected.

- All the Party organs regularly submit reports of their activities to their respective electorates and to the higher organs.

- Member is subject to the organization, and minority follows majority of members.

- Party disciplines apply to all the Party members equally without any discrimination.

- A lower level organ must carry out the decisions of a higher organ.

- From top to bottom in the hierarchy, decisions are taken collectively. Self-centredness and egotism is condemned in the Party.

Article VIII: =Party Congress=

1- The Congress is the most supreme organ of the Party.

2- The Congress convenes every four years. It comprises main members, alternate and advisory members of the Central Committee, and the delegates of other Party members according to the proportion that the Central Committee determines.

3- Extraordinary Congress will be held provided the Central Committee or two thirds of the full time personnel of the Party requests it.

The duties and the powers of the Congress are as follow:

- Discussing the Central Committee’s report, and make decisions about it.

- Determining the Party’s general, political, strategic and tactical policies.

- Ratification of the Party’s Programme and Internal Regulation, and its amendment if necessary.

- Electing main and alternate members of the Central Committee.

N.B.:

1- The Central Committee has the authority to invite Party members with voting rights to the Congress up to a maximum of one-third of its main members. Such an action must take place before conducting conferences, and these invited members lose the right to vote in the conferences.

2- Any candidate running for election as main or alternate member of the Central Committee must have served in the Party for the period of at least three years.

Article IX: Party Conference

1- The Party’s Conference convenes in a case when:

- It is not possible to convene the Congress.

- Issues have emerged that the Central Committee is unable to solve.

- In these cases the Conference will have the same legitimacy as the Congress.

2- The Conference comprises the main and alternate members and the advisors to the Central Committee, delegates of the district and regional committees as well as delegates of the commissions and committees associated with the Political Bureau.

3- The number of delegates of such committees and commissions will be determined by the Central Committee, but the number of elected delegates must exceed the total number of regular and alternate members and advisors in all cases.

Article X: Central Committee

1- The Central Committee is the highest authority during the period between the two Congresses, and conducts the Party affairs.

2- The responsibilities and the prerogatives of the Central Committee are as follow:

- Implements the decisions of the Congress.

- Is responsible for the establishment of Party relations with other parties and organizations.

- Elects the Political Bureau, and the secretary-general, all of whom are accountable directly to the Central Committee.

- Determines membership fees, and is responsible for the Party’s finances.

- Regulates and approves the Internal Regulation concerning the Central Committee and coordination between committees affiliated to itself.

- Convenes cessions at least three times a year. The alternate and advisory members of the Central Committee participate in the meetings of the Central Committee with consultive vote.

N.B.:

1- If necessary, the Central Committee can choose advisors among Party members maximum up to half of its main members.

2- The Central Committee meetings can have a quorum with the participation of two-third of its main members, and the adopted decisions can be certified with the approval of more than half of the main members present at the meeting.

3- No one can be elected to the office of Secretary-general for more than two consecutive terms.

Article XI: =Political Bureau=

1- During the period between the two meetings of the Central Committee, the Political Bureau takes over the Central Committee’s duties and is responsible for the implementation of its resolutions.

2- The Political Bureau convenes based on necessity and submits reports on its activities to the Central Committee.

Article XII: =Organizational Structure of the Party=

1- The basis of Party organization is cell. The number of members of a cell should not be less than three.

2- The Party’s organization is led by the village committee for the village, the district committee for the district, the regional committee for the region, the town committee for the town, and the provincial committee for the province.

3- It is the responsibility of the cell, village, district, regional, town, and provincial committees to advertise the Party policies among the masses, and to implement the Central Committee’s resolutions and to administer the Party’s affairs.

4- The Committee of each organ will be elected by the organ’s members or their representatives.

5- The highest authority of each organ is the organ’s Conference, which must be held at least once every two years, consisting of the delegates of all the Party members of the concerned organ.

N.B.:

Under certain circumstances, the Central Committee can adopt other appropriate methods for the Party structures.

Article XIII: =Party Income=

The Party’s incomes consist of:

- Membership fees

- Income of Party institutions and centres

- Contributions of Party members, sympathizers and friends.

ee also

* Mahabad Republic
* Qazi Muhammad
* Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou
* Sadeq Sharafkandi
* Mustafa Hijri
* Simko

Major Iranian Kurdistan Cities

*Kermanshah (Kirmaşan) *Urmia (Urmiye) *Sanandaj (Sine) *Piranshahr (Xanê) *Mahabad (Mehabad)

*Saqqez (Seqiz) *Sardasht (Serdeşt) *Kamyaran (Kamyaran) *Bukan (Bokan)

*Marivan (Merîwan) *Oshnavieh (Şino) *Diwandarreh (Dîwandere) *Paveh (Pawe)

*Baneh (Bane) *Ilam (Îlam) *Bijar (Bîcar) *Qorveh (Qurwe)

References

External links

* [http://www.pdki.org PDKI-website]