Interview with Massoud Fathi
As we are aware, four secular republican and democratic organizations have been in talks for almost a year and a half to get closer. What progress have you made during this time and how do you see its future?
Yes, that's correct. During this period, in addition to continuing our cooperation, our efforts have been focused on improving the relations between the four organizations and their further integration.
We have tried to agree on common core principles and to create the necessary structure in accordance with these agreements.
The goal is to improve the relationship among these forces, as well as to create a platform for inviting other Republican forces to join these collaborations and to unite with them.
Our discussions in this area have reached certain conclusions, which are basically acceptable to all of these four parties, but no practical steps have been taken to implement these agreements yet.
We have concluded that it is necessary to shape a coalition besides and beyond continuing on working together.
The basics of union of the four parties are prepared. The principles are also being finalized.
Our plan is to announce the common ground and the principles of the new (political) alliance (or bloc) at the proper time, and to invite other similar opposition parties to join.
Is it possible for other forces to enter into these talks?
Yes, of course. Our cooperation is not to be limited to the current four organizations.
The goal is to encourage other parties to engage and join the league of the secular democratic alliances.
We are not the only secular and democratic Republican force in Iran; there are many other forces in the movement, close to us in terms of program, goals and practical policies.
We need to be able to enter into relationships and dialogue with them and invite them to cooperate and unite. We have identified some of those potential prospects to engage in dialogue with. Of course, we are still at the beginning.
The positive experience of continuing cooperation between the four parties shows that we can hope for the expansion of this cooperation and convergence which of course will take time but it is possible.
Why do you think the opponents of the Islamic Republic have so far failed to unite?
Opponents of the Islamic Republic are divided into various factions, sometimes with great political distances and plans. Therefore, unity in the ranks of all opponents of the Islamic Republic is inconceivable.
But this is possible among those with common political perspectives and goals.
This requires an effort to establish a certain closeness between the forces in the scene of practical activities.
Common positions, common goals, can be the starting point for starting a common work, but for convergence, taking practical steps - albeit limited - is decisive. It is in the course of political action that the forces become closer. But the main reason for the failure to create more coordination and alignment in the opposition of the Islamic Republic is the lack of drive, which is necessary to create a collective will for possible changes in today's conditions in Iran.
What is needed is to understand the needs of the movement in Iran and to respond to those needs, which can be considered the axis of unity. We need to be able to have a clear and tangible response to the need for change in Iran.
An answer that can open the field of action and influence in society and break the existing ties, reduces the distance among civil society activists and open the door to change the situation.
Therefore, the opposition must unite around the society and the struggles of the people inside the country, rather than any other presuppositions.
How do you assess the current political situation in Iran and the Islamic Republic, and do you see a change in the regime in Iran in the foreseeable future?
The political situation in our country is critical and complex at the same time. Our country is economically bankrupt. The Islamic Republic's rentier economic policies, relying on oil revenues over the past four decades, have destroyed the country and made corruption and blatant theft by the rulers’ business as usual. The discovery of corruption cases worth billions has become a common thing.
Socially, poverty has become normal. A large proportion of people live below the poverty line. Unemployment and homelessness are on the rise. In addition, with continued US government sanctions, economic pressure on the people has become heavier, bankruptcies have increased, and the basic needs of the people are unattainable. The Coronavirus and its imposed restrictions/constraints have further compounded the crisis.
The Islamic Republic itself is not in a better position and is being in decline internally. The elimination of all opponents and critics has now spread to the elimination of some of the insiders. The establishment of "anti-corruption" courts and the revelation of corruption of thousands of senior government officials are, first and foremost, an indication of the regime's own internal collapse, rather than an expression of the will to address its corrupt policies.
Ideological systems, such as the Islamic Republic, generally collapse from within, rather than from without. Inefficiency and corruption are so ingrained in their system that there is no way to save them.
The only thing the leaders of the Islamic Republic do not think about is meeting the needs of society and the people. The only tool that the Islamic Republic has in its hands, and by relying on it, wants to maintain its rule over this destruction and the rebellious and frustrated people, is the use of repression. The bloody crackdown on the November uprising is a sign of the government's determination to make full use of this tool against the protesting and rebellious people of the current situation. but no government can be sustained solely by relying on the tools of repression/suppression.
What is the ideal government of these four organizations for the future of Iran?
Our ideal is to establish a secular and democratic republic in Iran and to separate religion from the state and to create a government based on the free will of the people and accountable to the people. In our view, the most appropriate system for Iran is a parliamentary solution based on the separation of the three branches of government and the guarantee of individual and social rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its annexes. All citizens should have equal rights before the law, and any discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, nationality, creed, or religion should be abolished.
We support political pluralism, the freedom to form political parties, the freedom of the press, the freedom of trade unions, and the formation of non-governmental organizations in all areas. Our ideal government will defend the national interests of the Iranian people in international relations, pursue a policy of friendship and cooperation with all nations of the world based on these interests, and will be a force for peace, security and political, economic and cultural cooperation in the troubled Middle East.
Massoud Fathi, born in 1953 active in Fedaiian movement, Student activist in early seventies, Political prisoner during previous regime. Graduated in Persian Literature from the University of Tehran and Political Science from the University of Vienna, Austria. He is a member of Central Council of the Left Party of Iran (People's Fadaiyan) and an official of the Union of United Republicans of Iran
