Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan
Programme
and Internal Regulations Adopted in the XIIth Congress(24-26
November 2000) PART
I PROGRAMME Preamble: 1- For
a long time, the Kurdish nation has been fighting for freedom and the
right to self-determination. The
entire 19th century bears witness to our nation’s bloody past. From the beginning of the 20th century till the
Second World War, this struggle has still continued.
In the era of the struggle of the freedom-loving people of the
world against reactionism and fascism, it was realized that the creation
of a political organization capable of directing the struggle of the Kurdish
people had become a historic necessity.
It was the reaction to such a necessity that the Kurdish people
in Iranian Kurdistan, taking advantage of the favourable historical circumstances
resulting from the Reza Shah’s 20 years of dictatorship, created the Democratic
Party of Kurdistan on August 16th, 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 55 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-
Our era is the period of triumph of democracy, and an era of growth and
the development of democratic and liberation forces worldwide.
Within this 55 years after the end of the Second World War, widespread
political developments have taken place globally that have changed the
universal political image. The old colonial system has disintegrated, and dozens of large
and small nations have acquired the right to self-determination, and have
established their own independent states.
In many countries, this political process has been accompanied
by deep social changes; for instance, feudal class and feudal relationship
have been dismantled, and the path for the development of society has
been paved. In short, social
forces capable of advancing human society have gained further freedom
of action, and the possibility to construct a better, a more developed
and humanatarian society has been created. 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 and the imperialist and colonial policies
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. 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 authority of a dictatorship, it was going to obtain
a decent position in the world community, the 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 11 000 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 enjoy
the freedom to be active. Individual
and collective freedoms have been exploited in its worst methods 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
changes, especially industrial do not reach the lowest of the region.
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 centre,
and the Kurdish people have little say in the administration of their
own affairs; despite the existance 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 2500 years of
monarchical regime in Iran had never allowed our country to take the path
of growth and development independently, especially Mohammad Reza Shah,
had totally turned Iran into a dependant country and an imitator of Western
capitalist countries. 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 2500 years old monarchy. No doubt
the revolution of the peoples of Iran that eliminated one of the main
forces dependant on imperialism in the Middle East is one of the most
important events in the history of our country, and at the same time,
it has 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 children 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 past 23 years, the Islamic regime has assassinated
more democrats and freedom fighters than the 54 years of monarchical period
of Pahlavi. 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 22 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 democratic system, which will heed the rightful claims
of the peoples of Iran instead of the unpopular and reactionary regime
of the clerics. Our Party believes that after the present regime is abolished,
the people should be allowed to choose their favourable form of republican
system freely, and elect a constituent assembly, which will draw up the
constitution of the new republic. 7-
To achieve the main goals of autonomy within the framework of a 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 existance 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 nearly 22 years that PDKI has led the Kurdish people’s uprising against the savage aggression of the clerical regime with competence and skillfulness. 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 and anti-imperialist organizations within Iran and abroad. Our Party’s strategic slogan (Democracy for Iran and Autonomy for Kurdistan) has become the essential demand of all the Kurdish population and is widely supported by all the progressive forces all over Iran. 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 fulfill the legitimate rights of the Kurds in Iran
within the framework of a democratic Iran. PDKI
has documented its objectives in this Programme.
It will be up to the future autonomous government within a democratic
Iran to achieve these goals. Chapter I
General
Objectives 1-
PDKI 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 PDKI is to establish a democratic socialist society. 3- The strategic motto of PDKI is Democracy for Iran and Autonomy for Iranian Kurdistan. 3-
PDKI 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 Autonomy
5- The autonomous region comprises of the whole territory of Iranian Kurdistan. The geographical dimension of the autonomous region 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. 6- 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 Supreme Council of Kurdistan (SCK) and the autonomous governmental bodies. 7- Affairs concerning international relations (political and economic) , national defense (the army), long-term economic planning and the monetary system will be the prerogatives of the central government. Aside from the mentioned cases, the legitimacy of administrating the governmental institutions in Kurdistan is under the supervision of the Autonomous Government of Kurdistan (AGK). 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. 8- The SCK is the highest legislative authority in the autonomous region of Kurdistan. The Council’s representatives are elected by direct suffrage, secret ballot and equal vote; women and men have equal voting rights to elect or to be elected. 9- The SCK designates the AGK, which will be answerable to the SCK. 10- 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. 11- The Kurdish language is the official language of education and correspondence within internal administration in the autonomous region of Kurdistan. At all levels of education, the right to pursue studies in Kurdish for the inhabitants will be recognized, and necessary facilities will be provided. Persian 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. The
administrative correspondence between the autonomous region of Kurdistan
and the central government, and other regional administrations related
to the central government will take place in Persian. All
the non-Kurdish inhabitants of the autonomous region of Kurdistan are
free to promote their own culture, and they have the right to be educated
in their own language. Chapter III
Rights of the Autonomous Region’s Inhabitants
12- 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 discriminations based on sex,
race, ethnicity and religion.
13- Religion is separate from the state. At the same time the AGK
supports religious centres, and will grant patriotic religious dignitaries
material and moral assistance.
14- Men and women have equal rights within the family and society,
and receive equal pay for equal work.
The AGK must provide the female workers and employees with 3 months
rest with pay for the period before and after accouchement. Chapter
IV
Economic and Social Policy
15- The AGK is responsible for providing economic development basis
through scientific planning in the autonomous region. The distribution of resources by the central 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.
16- 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
fundamental economic and social changes that are necessary for industrialization
is one of the most fundamental responsibility of the central government
and the AGK.
17- The AGK uses 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
also participate in the industrialization of the country.
18- All the mineral resources, including waters, forests and pastures
of Kurdistan that are considered as public riches, will be nationalized,
and the AGK with the cooperation of the central government will use these
resources to the best interests of all the people of Iran.
19- 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 AGK.
20- The AGK will work for the development of domestic trade, and
encourage commercial and professional activities in Kurdistan. If and when the implementation of certain economic projects
by the public sector at a specific period would not contribute to the
country’s economic progress, they will be transferred to the private sectors,
but through taxes and price controls, the irregular spread of private
capital will be prevented. The
intention is to make use of all the existing financial resources for the
development of Kurdistan’s economy.
21- Raising the standards of living, particularly of the toilers
of Kurdistan, is the underlying economic policy of the AGK. The AGK will
use all the forces and capabilities at its disposal to pull the Kurdistan
inhabitants out of the abyss of poverty and privation, and will provide
them with a livelihood suitable with the current century.
22- The principle of 40 hours of work a week will be applied every
where. Workers subjected
to hard physical labour must work less 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.
23- There still exists injustice in agricultural ownership; therefore,
it is necessary to introduce important changes into the existing agricultural
ownership to the benefit of toiling villagers who own no land.
The AGK will assist and support the development of cooperative
agricultural societies created voluntarily by the farmers.
24- The AGK must help farmers to attain modern agricultural equipments.
Also the AGK 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.
25- Youth are country’s future assets; therefore, the AGK pays
great attention to the issues of education and training, and provides
all necessary training, educational and safe recreational facilities for
them.
26- The AGK pays special attention to the issue of livestock, and
grant the breeders the most favourable grazing conditions, and acquaint
them with modern, scientific breeding methods.
27- The protection of the environment, natural resources, lakes,
forests, and protection of wild species such as birds and water creatures
are among the major tasks of the AGK; 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, and particular attention must be
paid to the protection of historical monuments and relics of the past. Chapter V
Cultural and Health Policies
28- All the children in Kurdistan, boys and girls must attend school until fifteen years old. The AGK will 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 AGK also takes care of educational expenses for the children of workers, farmers and other low income social categories in all educational centres, and it also takes care of university fees for gifted and advanced students of low income families. Moreover, the AGK will also support denominational schools. 29- The AGK 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. 30- Paying attention to the development of Kurdish language and literature, and supporting Kurdish writers, artists and scientists will be one of the basic tenets of the autonomous Government’s cultural policy. 31- The Kurdish intellectuals will be given employment according to their competence. The AGK will pursue a policy that will encourage experts and intellectuals to serve their country with fervour and dedication. 32-
The AGK will strive to improve sanitary conditions for all citizens, and
creates conditions to afford every citizen free medical and health services.
The AGK 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
Foreign Policy
Regarding foreign policy, which comes under the authority of the central government, PDKI asserts that:
33- The central 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.
34- The central government of Iran should support the anti-imperialist
and anti-despotic liberation struggle of all the people and should endorse
the right of all the people to self-determination. 35- The central 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. 36-
Iran should become a centre 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 central government, the AGK 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 revolutionary 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. 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
“organizational 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 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-Democratic centralism is the fundamental structure of the Party. 2-Democratic centralism is defined as the following: -
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 authorities. -
Member is subject to the organization, and minority follows majority
of members. -
Party disciplines apply to all the Party members equally without
any discriminations. -
A lower level authority must carry out the decisions of a higher
authority. -
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 of 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. N.B.: 1- Whenever 25 percent of the member-delegates of the Congress for whatever reason leave the ranks of the Party membership, the Congress cessions will become without jurisdiction. 2- Six month before the convening of the new Congress, the meetings of the previous congress can not be concluded unless circumstances have been created that the holding of a new Conference or Congress is impossible. 3-
Whenever the Central Committee concluded that it should not decide independently
in solving a difficulty, the member-delegates of the Congress will be
called to an extra-ordinary meeting.
In this meeting a new leadership will not be chosen. 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 loose 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. -
More than fifteen percent of the member-delegates of the previous
Congress have left the Party ranks of active members. -
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 of 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 more than two consecutive terms. 4-
In the absence of Secretary-general for more than a week, one of the Political
Bureau members proposed by Secretary-general will take on her/his duties. 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 a cell members 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, comprised 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 consists of: -
Membership fees -
Income of Party institutions and centres -
Contributions of Party members, sympathizers and friends.
|