Principles of Operation of the Cooperation Council of South Azerbaijani Organizations
Foreword
The recent geopolitical and geostrategic shifts in the Middle East have revealed a fundamental reality long suppressed by reactionary, fascist, and chauvinist regimes centered on Persian hegemony within Iran: the national movements that have for decades been buried and ignored can no longer be silenced or overlooked by the global community.
In particular, the growing strength of the South Azerbaijani national movement, drawing upon the potential of the Azerbaijani nation, the largest national group in the region, as well as other Turkic communities, has become a source of inspiration for other oppressed peoples. The slogans and objectives voiced by the South Azerbaijani national movement today not only serve as a model for non-Persian nations within Iran and attract the attention of progressive global opinion, but have also become the foundational principles guiding the vision and strategies of South Azerbaijani organizations. In this context, we, the member organizations of this Council that endorse this document, declare that:
The Cooperation Council of South Azerbaijani Organizations, in all its undertakings, upholds and symbolizes the ideals and aspirations of our national movement, guided by the motto:
“FREEDOM, JUSTICE, NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.”
PRINCIPLES
- National Ideology and Goals
The Cooperation Council of South Azerbaijani Organizations is grounded in the core tenets of the Turkic national ideology and the principle of Azerbaijani identity. It upholds the inviolability of the territorial integrity of South Azerbaijan and aims to realize its ideals within the historic and national geography of South Azerbaijan. Simultaneously, the Council does not remain indifferent to the fate of Turkic populations residing in other regions of Iran, including the Qashqai Turks, South Turkmenistan, and the Khorasan Turks. The Council advocates for the rights and freedoms of all these communities.
- Principle of Equality and Citizenship
Regardless of ethnicity, language, religion, gender, political or cultural affiliation, the Council regards the population of South Azerbaijan as an indivisible whole. It is committed to the establishment of a society based on equal citizenship. The Council defends and promotes the rights of all minorities in South Azerbaijan—whether national, religious, or sectarian.
- Realization of National Sovereignty
To fulfill its objectives, the Council considers the establishment of national governance in South Azerbaijan essential. In defining the structure of such a state, it recognizes solely the will and determination of the people of South Azerbaijan as its legitimate foundation.
- Democracy and Pluralism
The Council firmly believes that democratic values are indispensable for state-building. It considers political pluralism and diversity of thought as essential assets, and it is committed to building a modern, secular, and democratic society in South Azerbaijan, where the rule of law prevails.
- Gender Equality
The Council actively supports the realization of equal rights for men and women. It categorically rejects any restriction on women’s rights and freedoms—whether on cultural, national, political, religious, or sectarian grounds.
- Methods of Struggle
The Council strictly rejects violence and terrorism, advocating instead for civil and cultural means of struggle. However, in cases where the existence, life, and property of the Azerbaijani people are endangered, it considers the use of all legitimate means of self-defense to be acceptable.
- Governance During the Transitional Period
The Council’s ultimate goal is the establishment of a South Azerbaijani state governed solely by national will. At the same time, the Council declares its readiness to assume an independent and alternative role in managing the transitional period following the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Its aim is to prevent chaos and instability, to block the reemergence of a new unitary and Persian-chauvinist regime, and to initiate a process for nations to exercise their right to self-determination.
Drawing on the Azerbaijani Turkic nation’s millennia-old statehood traditions, the Council will pursue this responsibility in coordination with other non-Persian nations and peoples through joint mechanisms. The Council’s detailed platform on this issue will be published in the near future.
- Right to Self-Determination of Nations
The Council respects the right of not only the Azerbaijani nation, but also other nations and peoples in Iran—particularly the Qashqai Turks, South Turkmenistan, Khorasan Turks, and other Turkic communities—to determine their fate through free will. It deems the creation of democratic conditions necessary to realize this right.
- All negotiations, agreements, alliances, and forms of cooperation undertaken in the name of the Council shall be based on the collective decisions of the Cooperation Council of South Azerbaijani Organizations.
- While respecting the principle of organizational independence, the Council affirms that the above principles are binding upon all member organizations.
Member Organizations of the Cooperation Council of South Azerbaijani Organizations
- Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADF)
- Azerbaijan Central Party (AMP)
- Azerbaijan National Resistance Organization (Dirəniş)
- South Azerbaijan Student Movement (AZOH)
- South Azerbaijan Republic Party (ACP)
- South Azerbaijan Democratic Party (GADP)
- South Azerbaijan Independence Party (GAİP)
- South Azerbaijan National State Alliance (MDA)
- South Azerbaijan Liberation Party (GAQP)
