With extensive participation from the party’s leadership, comprising the Central Committee and the Political Bureau, alongside dedicated cadres, members, and supporters, the Democratic Solidarity Party of al-Ahwaz (DSPA) convened its fifth conference on September 8th and 9th, 2023, in London, United Kingdom, under the banner “Unite in Solidarity for Our Future.”
On the first day, September 8th, during a closed meeting, the conference commenced with the election of its management body and a solemn moment of silence in tribute to the martyrs. Subsequently, the political report of the party’s Central Committee and the report from the Political Bureau and the Secretary-General were presented.
During this session, the general provisions of the political report were deliberated upon, and the previous Political Bureau presented its recommendations for crafting a new policy and strategy, considering current data and alliances.
At the conclusion of the initial part of the internal conference, the Central Committee and the Political Bureau tendered their resignations in preparation for the democratic election of a new political committee and bureau.
A fresh Central Committee and Political Bureau were elected to lead the party for the next four years, and the new Secretary-General was appointed by the Political Bureau.
The General Conference also dedicated time to listen to the committee for modernising and developing the party’s political program, a crucial document outlining the party’s goals and strategies. After careful discussion, a final formulation was reached, set to be published on the party’s website and distributed through both paper and electronic channels within and beyond Ahwaz.
On the second day, September 9th, a session marked by extensive participation from representatives of diverse ethnic groups in Iran, including Turks, Arabs, Persians, Kurds, Baluchis, Turkmen, and Lur, as well as foreign organisations and parties, a comprehensive report was presented summarising the previous day’s proceedings and outlining the party’s future policies.
Following internal deliberations and consultations with other parties and organisations, a unanimous approval was granted to the final statement.
This statement encompasses the following key points:
1-The DSPA, as articulated in the resolutions of its inaugural conference in 2003, continues to regard the struggles of the Arab people in the Ahwaz region (Arabistan) as an integral part of the broader movement of Iran’s diverse peoples. We remain committed to forging alliances and strengthening existing partnerships with the goal of establishing a democratic alternative to the oppressive Islamic Republic regime.
2-Our struggle aligns with that of other Ahwazi parties and organisations, united by the principle of “Ahwaz First.” We must consolidate these alliances within the Ahwazi House and maintain ongoing coordination to determine the most effective paths toward fulfilling our people’s aspirations.
3-The DSPA upholds the principles of a republican system, secularism, and federalism as non-negotiable red lines, both internally and in external negotiations concerning Iran’s political future.
4-The DSPA firmly believes that the primary objective of the Ahwazi Arab people, as well as the demands of other ethnic groups in Iran, is the universal right to self-determination within their historical, national, and strategic regions.
5-The Fifth Conference of the DSPA affirms our party’s participation alongside the Ahwazi Arab people in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement and extends its full support to this cause.
6-The conference vehemently condemns the assassinations and arbitrary arrests perpetrated by the Islamic Republic regime and steadfastly demands the release of all political prisoners, regardless of their ideology, from Iranian regime prisons.
7-The DSPA’s Fifth Conference strongly denounces the opportunistic policies and appeasement of Western states, particularly the United States and the European Union, towards the oppressive Iranian regime. We maintain that continued political and economic appeasement of the Iranian regime contradicts the interests of the peoples of Iran.
8-The DSPA’s Fifth Conference condemns Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which have extracted a heavy toll from the peoples of Iran. Furthermore, we deplore the Iranian regime’s interference, through its Quds Force, in the internal affairs of regional countries.
Recommendations:
1-The conference recommends the strengthening of cooperation among all parties, organisations, and political, cultural, and social movements affected by the Islamic Republic regime, forming a united “Historical Bloc.” This bloc aims to unify various intellectual and political orientations around the shared goal of overthrowing the Iranian regime.
2-The conference recommends enhancing political coordination among various Ahwazi parties, actively seeking and offering advice and recommendations in order to safeguard the interests of the Ahwazi Arab people on both the Iranian and international stages.
3-The conference recommends the establishment of a unified Ahwazi centre to monitor human rights abuses and political violations against the Ahwazi Arab people. This centre will document these violations and coordinate positions to hold those responsible accountable through international human rights organisations, while also exposing these policies through media channels.
4-The conference encourages intellectual and political seminars within the DSPA, with other Ahwazi groups, and with other groups representing peoples of Iran, focusing on discussions related to alternatives to the Islamic Republic regime and practical mechanisms for instituting a federal system of governance in Iran.
London, September 9, 2023
