KurdistanObserver.com

Tehran, 13 Jan. (AKI) - Iranian Kurds plan to unite and resume the struggle for the rights which they say are denied them in the Islamic Republic, says the founder of a new Kurdish movement. Kurds, who live mainly in Iran's western provinces, make up seven percent of a population of 68 million. "There is little freedom in the Kurdish-populated areas, while Iranians and especially Kurd, see democracy as a primary need," Bahaeddin Adab, of the new United Kurdish Front, told Adnkronos International.

The Front is "an effort to end the current divisions and individualism which is taking us nowhere and allows the Tehran government to repress us and reject dialogue," said Adab.

"Equal rights is our most pressing request, because it is not acceptable that our people continue to suffer discrimination in every field, from society and politics, not to mention the economy," he said.

He complained that "the Kurds do not have national representation in line with the fact that it controls four regions and is seven per cent of the population." Most Iranian Kurds are Sunni Muslims, an aggravating factor in their relations with the Shiite central authorities in Tehran.

"The negligence of the current government and its predecessors towards minorities is without precedent" he said “This situation has generated mass depression which has put the Kurdish zones at the top of the list for suicides, drug dependence and general disorder.

For Adab, the uprisings and the violent clashes witnessed last summer in many Kurdish cities are a worrying signal of the malaise in the country. In Mahabad, the historical capital of Iranian Kurdistan, the killing of a young Kurd by security forces led to fierce clashes and scores of arrests. The revolt spread within a few days to major cities like Baneh, Sanandaj, and Sardasht.

"Rejecting dialogue for violence is pointless and it just raises the wall that separates people from the government," he said. Over recent weeks, various political activists, journalists and human rights campaigners in Iranian Kurdistan have been arrested and are awaiting trial on charges such as "attacking the Constitution" and "Counter revolutionary activity" that carry heavy penalties.

Adab is convinced that speaking with once voice to the central government will get results. But his optimism is not shared by some other Kurdish activists.

Mohammad Sadegh Kabudvand, president of the Organisation for Human Rights in Kurdistan, is sceptical that any Kurdish demands can be met in the near future.

"Adab says he wants to act within the law. Well, the law states that the languages of ethnic minorities can be taught in schools, but for 25 years, Kurds have been denied that right," he recalled, saying the government lacked the political will to implement many laws.

"I fear that the new Front will be a simple vehicle, pulled by ingenuous Kurds, to carry Adab and his friends to the capital and provide them a seat in parliament.

"It is difficult to conceive that Kurds may be able to enjoy their human and ethnic rights, as democratic rights are not granted to the entire population," concluded the activist.