|
|
Parties in Iran
Article 26 of Iran's Constitution allows formation of parties,
societies, political or professional associations and Islamic or
other religious societies of recognized minorities. The law on
activities of parties and political groups was approved in Iran in 1981
by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) but its enforcement
was postponed until the year 1989. Before inauguration of President
Mohammad Khatami in 1997, some 39 parties, political societies and
associations received permits from the Article 10 Commission of the
Interior Ministry. By January 2000, the number rose to 103. Thus,
during the 28 month operation of President Khatami's
administration, 64 new parties and groups were granted operation
permits. According to Article 10 of the Parties Law, a commission
comprising representatives of the State Prosecutor General, political
judicial council, the Interior Ministry and two Majlis deputies are
delegated with the responsibility of issuing operation permit for
parties and supervising over them. The membership period in the
commission is two years.
Despite this, the number of important and active political parties and
groups in Iran hardly exceeds a dozen. Jame'e Rouhaniyate
Mobarez, Jamiate Moutalefeye Eslami, Majma'e Rouhanioune
Mobarez, Jebheye Mosharekate Irane Eslami, Hezbe Kargozarane
Sazandegi and Mojahedine Enqelabe Eslami are among the
important and active parties.
Jame'e Rouhaniyate Mobarez (Militant Clergy
Association)
Jame'e Rouhaniyate Mobarez (MCA) is perhaps the oldest political
clerical group since the 1979 victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
The MCA leads the conservatives and conservative groups
coordinate their political behavior and policies with the views and
decisions of the Association.
Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani is MCA Secretary General and
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, Hassan
Rowhani, Mohammad Emami Kashani (former member of the
Council of Guardians and substitute leader of Tehran Friday
prayers), Mohammad Yazdi (former head of the Judiciary), Seyed
Reza Taqavi (head of the Islamic Guidance Commission of the 5th
Majlis and MCA spokesman), Ahmad Jannati (substitute leader of
Tehran Friday prayers), and Qorbanali Dorri Najafabadi (former
information- inteligence-minister) are among prominent members of
this group.
Contrary to other groups and parties, the MCA does not publish any
newspaper or magazine and has not obtained permit from the
Interior Minister for political activities. The MCA was among major
supporters of Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri (Khatami's main rival) in the
May 23, 1997 Presidential elections. During the impeachment of
former Islamic Culture and Guidance Minister Ataollah Mohajerani
and former Interior Minister Abdullah Nouri, MCA advocates were
among the main opponents (of Mohajerani and Nouri).
Jamiate Moutalefeye Eslami (Islamic Coalition Association)
Jamiate Moutalefeye Eslami or the Islamic Coalition Association
(ICA) is among the old parties in Iran which was formed through the
merger of three religious groups in the Tehran Bazaar. The common
objective of the three underground groups was campaign against
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the latest shah of Iran and following up
the instructions of Imam Khomeini. The ICA considers itself as the
first political-ideological group in the contemporary history of Iran,
formed under the leadership of velayat-e faqih and supervision and
guidance of the clergy away from Western and Eastern partisan
patterns. The ICA advocates commitment to emulation (following a
mujtahid) in the real and genuine sense of the word. The ICA
reduced its activities after the victory of the Islamic Revolution and
most of its members joined the (now dissolved) Islamic Republic
Party (IRP). But in 1988, it was reorganized with an aim "to better
coordinate the faithful towards ultimate triumph of the pure
Mohammadian Islam, the path of the Imam and velayat-e faqih."
The ICA Secretary General is Habibollah Asgar-Owladi, a veteran
combatant and representative of the Valiye Faqih at the Imam
Khomeini Relief Committee. Assadollah Badamchian, Ali Akbar
Parvaresh, Saeed Amani, Mohammad Javad Rafiq-Doust, Habibollah
Shafiq and Asghar Rokhsefat, all well-known businessmen of Tehran
Bazaar, are among the prominent members of the ICA.
The ICA is among the genuine parties in Iran. The party which is
composed of the main conservative groups, enjoys full partisan
discipline and its branches are active in various parts of the country.
During the May 23 Presidential elections, the ICA supported Ali
Akbar Nateq Nouri and played an important role in impeachment of
two ministers of Khatami's administration, i.e. Abdullah Nouri and
Ataollah Mohajerani in the parliament. "Shoma" weekly is the official
organ of the ICA.
Jame'e Anjomanhaye Eslamie Baazaar Va Asnaf (Society ofIslamic Associations of the Bazaar & Trade Unions)
Jame'e Anjomanhaye Eslamie Baazaar Va Asnaf or the Society of
Islamic Associations of the Bazaar & Trade Unions (SIABTU) is a
group composed of members of Islamic associations of various trade
unions in Tehran Bazaar. Its objective is to forge coordination among
Islamic association of trade unions and Bazaar businessmen in order
to create a healthy atmosphere in the bazaar, to execute the Islamic
practice of `inviting to good and enjoining from evil', and to help
achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
From financial point of view, this group is the main supplier of the
needs of its like-minded groups. Saeed Amani is the Secretary
General of the SIABTU who is also among the prominent members
of the ICA. The SIABTU holds a session in one of the important
mosques in Tehran every month and one of the personalities
supporting the Society would elaborate on the latest political and
economic developments of the country.The SIABTU calls for the
government's diminishing role in the economy, particularly in foreign
2trade.In the 1997 presidential elections,the SIABTU supported Ali
Akbar Nateq Nouri.
Jame'e Eslami Mohandesin (Islamic Society of Engineers)
Jame'e Eslami Mohandesin or the Islamic Society of Engineers (ISE)
is among technocrat Muslim groups. The Society was formed at the
end of the Iraqi imposed war (1988) with the objective of "elevating
the Islamic, political, scientific and technical knowledge of the
Muslim people of Iran, defending major freedoms such as freedom of
expression and gatherings, as well as continued campaign against
foreign cultural agents whether Eastern or Western materialism."
The ISE is among active political groups which constantly holds
debate sessions. Former Energy Minister and member of parliament
in the 5th Majlis Hassan Ghafori-Fard, 5th Majlis MP Mohammad
Reza Bahonar, Managing Director of Resalat daily and 5th Majlis
MP Morteza Nabavi are among prominent members of the ISE.
"Jaam" weekly is the official organ of the ISE whose managing
director is Mohammad Reza Bahonar. The ISE is among strong
opponents of development and municipal policies of former Tehran
Mayor Gholam Hussein Karbaschi. Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri was the
ISE candidate at the 1997 presidential elections.
Jame'e Zainab (Zainab Society)
Jame'e Zainab or Zainab Society (ZS) is one of the political groups
of Iranian women whose objective is to "strengthen ideological
foundation of women, expand the genuine Islamic culture and
eliminate deviations, eclecticisms and imported culture from among
women." The group which has focused its activities mainly on
formation of religious sessions, usually enters the political scene at
the time of the elections. The ZS usually follows the policies of the
MCA and in the 1997 presidential elections supported Ali Akbar
Nateq Nouri. Former Majlis deputy Ms. Maryam Behrouzi leads the
society. The ZS does not have any publication and rarely enters into
political discussions. Behrouzi is backed by the MCA and its
like-minded groups.
Majma'e Rouhanioune Mobarez (Militant Clerics League)
Majma'e Rouhanioune Mobarez or the Militant Clerics League
(MCL), which comprises the clergy who broke away from the MCA,
announced independence in the last years of Imam Khomeini's life
and upon his permission. The MCL authenticated the existence of
various thoughts and versions of religious, political and cultural
issues among the clergy.
The MCL is comprised of persons some of whom were members of
the late Imam Khomeini's office. Safeguarding the bases and
objectives of Islam, campaign against global arrogance, listening to
the logical statements of the opponents, spreading Imam Khomeini's
attitudes, and explaining the historical status of the sacred institution
of the clergy are among the stated goals of the MCL.
Mohammad Khatami, Mahdi Karroubi, Mohammad Mousavi
Khoeiniha (former state prosecutor and managing director of the
banned Salaam daily), Mohammad Reza Tavassoli (head of Imam
Khomeini's bureau), Mohammad Ali Abtahi (President Khatami's
chief of staff), Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari (interior minister), Majid
Ansari (MP), and Ali Akbar Mohtashami (former interior minister)
are among main members of the MCL.
The MCL supports political and cultural development policies and is
among major supporters of President Mohammad Khatami. Mahdi
Karroubi is the secretary general of the League. The MCL does not
have any publication or organ.
Jebheye Mosharekate Irane Eslami(Islamic Iran Partnership Front)
Jebheye Mosharekate Irane Eslami or the Islamic Iran Partnership
Front (IIPF) was formed in 1998 by one hundred Muslim intellectuals
who are among the staunch supporters of President Khatami's
administration, a year after his sweeping victory in presidential
elections. Supporting people's participation in determination of their
fate, helping political and cultural development, reducing the
government's role in these fields and also the government's
supervision over economic affairs of the country are among the
objectives of the IIPF.
Mohsen Mirdamadi, one of the former Students Following the Line
of the Imam and former governor general of Khuzestan Province is
the secretary general of the IIPF. Mohammad Reza Khatami (former
deputy minister of health), Saeed Hajjarian (former political advisor
to president Khatami and member of Tehran City Council), Abbas
Abdi (journalist), Mohammad Reza Aref, Habibollah Bitaraf (energy
minister), Mostafa Tajzadeh (deputy interior minister for political
affairs), and Hussein Nasiri (presidential advisor and secretary of the
High Council of Free Trade Zones) are among the main members of
the IIPF. The IIPF is mainly composed of the members of elections
campaign headquarters of President Khatami.
Victory in the councils' elections especially in the Tehran City
Council whose elected members are mainly the candidates supported
by the IIPF, is among the major achievements of the party.
Hezbe Kargozarane Sazandegi Iran (Executives of Construction Party)
Hezbe Kargozarane Sazandegi Iran or the Executives of
Construction Party (ECP) was formed during the 5th Majlis elections
campaign and its members are senior aides of the former President
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. The ECP supports the policy of
economic development and its members consider themselves the
closest group to Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. They believe they are a
moderate party. The secretary general of the party is former Tehran
Mayor Gholam Hussein Karbaschi. He conferred his authority to
Majlis deputy from Kerman and prominent member of the ECP,
Hussein Marashi, as the acting secretary general.
Ataollah Mohajerani (former minister of culture and Islamic
guidance), Mohammad Hashemi (vice-president for executive
affairs), Ms. Faezeh Hashemi (former MP from Tehran), Mohsen
Nourbakhsh (governor of the Central Bank of Iran), Mohammad Ali
Najafi (former vice-president and head of the planning and budget
organization), Mostafa Hashemi-Taba (vice-president and head of
the physical education organization) are among senior members of
the ECP. In the 1997 presidential elections, the ECP was among the
May 23 groups who supported the candidacy of Mohammad Khatami.
The party has no publication.
Sazemane Mojahedine Enqelabe Eslami (Islamic Revolution Mujahedin Organization)
Sazemane Mojahedine Enqelabe Eslami or the Islamic Revolution
Mujahedin Organization (IRMO) is among staunch supporters of
President Khatami's administration. Safeguarding the values and
principles of the Islamic Revolution, achievement of a developed,
free, and independent society; the strengthening and promotion of
the ideals of the Islamic Revolution in the world; and promotion of
people's ideological and political knowledge in order to participate in
the affairs related to the revolution, society and their own destiny are
among the objectives of this political organization.
IRMO was formed immediately after the victory of the Islamic
Revolution through coalition of seven underground and semi-secret
organizations at the Pahlavi era. The organization advocated defense
of the achievements of the revolution and campaign against parties
and assemblies opposing the revolution. Due to internal disputes at
the beginning of the Iraq-Iran war, the IRMO suspended its activities
until the end of the war. A number of the initial members of this
organization joined the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC),
such as Mohsen Rezaie (former IRGC commander), Mohammad
Jafar Zolqadr (deputy commander of the IRGC), and Alireza Afshar
(senior IRGC commander).
After the end of the Iraqi war against Iran (1988), a number of the
initial members of the organization who felt the need for activities of
parties in Iran, revived the IRMO. Behzad Nabavi, Mostafa Tajzadeh
(deputy interior minister for political affairs), Mohsen Armin
(journalist an 6th MP from Tehran), Feizollah Arab-Sorkhi (deputy
commerce minister), Hashem Aghajari (university professor) as well
as Saeed Hajjarian (former advisor to president and member of
Tehran city council are among the main members of the IRMO after
resuming activity. Mohammad Salamati (former agriculture minister
and current deputy cooperatives minister) is the secretary general of
the IRMO. "Asre Maa" biweekly, whose editor-in-chief is Mohsen
Armin, is the official organ of the organization. The IRMO has been
among the staunch supporters of Mohammad Khatami during the
1997 presidential elections and after that and in all important issues,
has supported the government policies.
Jamiate Zanane Jomhurie Eslamie Iran Va Majma'e EslamieBanovan (Islamic Republic of Iran Women's Society and Islamic
Assembly of Women)
Assisting intellectual, cultural and scientific promotion of women in
line with Islamic ideals, promoting the causes of Muslim women,
strengthening the ideal of family and supporting healthy movements
of women in the world are among objectives of the women in the
Islamic Republic of Iran. The IRI Women's Society (IRIWS) is
active, like similar parties, at the time of elections. It seldom enters
into political, social and cultural debates and dialog at other times. Its
secretary general is Ms. Zahra Mostafavi, daughter of Imam
Khomeini. During the presidential elections it supported Mohammad
Khatami.
The Islamic Assembly of Women (IAW), too, is a political group
established recently. Its objectives are similar to those of the IRIWS.
Its secretary general is Ms. Fatemeh Karroubi, former MP from
Tehran.
Hezbe Hambastegie Irane Eslami (Islamic Iran Solidarity Party)
Hezbe Hambastegie Irane Eslami or Islamic Iran Solidarity Party
(IISP) is among parties formed after the coming to power of
President Mohammad Khatami with an aim to promote the rule of
law and people's participation in political, social, cultural and
economic affairs. Its main body comprises a number of Majlis
deputies including Elias Hazrati (6th Majlis MP from Rasht),
Gholam Heidar Ebrahim Bay-Salami (6th Majlis former MP from
Khawf and Rashtkhar), Ali Asghar Ahmadi (MP from Shahroud),
Qodratollah Nazari-Nia (MP from Kangavar), Qorbanali Qandehari
(6th Majlis MP from Gorgan), Gholam Reza Ansari (Head of Iran's
Welfare Organization), Seyed Mahmoud Mir-Louhi (Governor
General of West Azarbaijan Province) and Ebrahim Asgharzadeh
(former spokesman of the Students Following the Imam's Line during
the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran). Secretary General of
the party is Mohammad Reza Rah-Chamani (former MP from
Sabzevar) and `Hambastegi' daily is the official organ of the party.
Members of the party in the Majlis support plans and programs of
President Khatami's administration.
Hezbe Eradeyeh Mellat-e Iran (Iran Nation Resolution Party)
The party was launched on February 26, 2001. The founders declared
their party objective as manifestation of the national will in the state
political system, also adding that the party follows the Constitution
and supports reforms. The founders are patrons of President
Khatami's reforms. The members of the party presiding board are the
following:
Mahmoud Hakimi: A city council member championed by the Islamic
Iran Participation Front (IIPF) and on the IIPF favorite candidates'
list. He was present at the scene when an assassination attempt was
made against the life of other city council member Saeed Hajjarian,
and took him immediately to hospital; he is an ex-MP
Mohammad-Ali Kouzehgar: A physician and deputy of the 6th Majlis
from Shahriyar constituency, supported by the IIPF
Seyed Baqer Musavi, Mohammad Taqi Irani, Seyed Marouf Samadi,
and Ali Mollazadeh
Mahmoud Hakimi has been designated as the party secretary general
|
