Charter of the Azarbaijan Movement

Article I — Freedom, independence, and the territorial integrity of Iran

The Azarbaijan Movement for Democracy and Integrity of Iran, hereafter called “the Azarbaijan Movement” or “the Movement” in this charter, seeks the realization of the following principles:

a) the establishment of freedom in our homeland, Iran;

b) the preservation of the independence of Iran;

c) the equality of every person of Iran;

d) the territorial integrity and national unity of Iran;

e) a guarantee of national sovereignty, and of the will of the people of Iran over their own destiny.

Article II — Equality, freedom, and the right to determine the form of government

The Azarbaijan Movement struggles for the freedom, equality, and fundamental rights of all citizens of Iran, on the basis of the principles and standards set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international instruments connected with it. The Movement holds that determining the form of government and the future political order of Iran is the inalienable right of the Iranian nation, and that it must be decided through the free and democratic will of the people.

Article III — National unity and the cultural diversity of Iran

The Azarbaijan Movement holds that Iran is the shared home of all the peoples and citizens of Iran. The single nation of Iran, while possessing a common historical and national identity and shared bonds, also contains a wide diversity of languages, ethnicities, cultures, faiths, rites, and social life. This diversity is an inseparable part of the historical and cultural heritage of Iran, and no single part of it can by itself be taken as the representative or the equivalent of the whole Iranian nation.

Article IV — The right of the Iranian nation to determine its own destiny

The Azarbaijan Movement holds that the Iranian nation has the right, in its own shared historical land, Iran, and on the basis of the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international covenants, and the other accepted human-rights instruments, to enjoy political, civil, social, cultural, and economic rights and freedoms, and to determine its own political and social destiny.

Article V — A democratic order, the separation of religion from government, and the equality of citizens

The Azarbaijan Movement holds that the Iranian nation has the right to determine the country’s future political order in conditions that are free and democratic, and free from any intimidation, coercion, or pressure. That order must rest on the separation of religion from government and on complete secularism, and it must recognize and guarantee the equal rights of all citizens of Iran, regardless of language, ethnicity, religious or non-religious belief, denomination, rite, gender, social background, and other individual and social differences.

Article VI — Popular sovereignty and political legitimacy

The Azarbaijan Movement holds that the single nation of Iran is the only source that can confer legitimacy on the government ruling it; that power derives solely from the will of the people; that the people of Iran have a complete right to exercise their will and to determine their own destiny; and that their ability to exercise this inalienable right must be guaranteed through mechanisms that are free, democratic, and free from coercion and repression. We are certain that, in the destiny of nations, no force is as decisive as the nations themselves. The Movement holds that, in determining the destiny of nations, no force is more legitimate or more decisive than the will of the nation itself.

Article VII — Azerbaijan and its unbreakable bond with Iran

The Azarbaijan Movement takes Azerbaijan as its place of origin, and understands its historical and social identity as bound up with the people, culture, history, and precious heritage of Iran. Drawing on Azerbaijan’s historical record of defending freedom, justice, and the rule of law, and of resisting despotism and oppression, the founders and members of the Movement hold themselves committed to working, within the principles of this charter, for the freedom, democracy, equal rights, and dignity of Iran.

While remaining fully committed to the independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of Iran, and struggling in their cause, the Movement also holds itself committed to safeguarding the rights, legitimate interests, historical and cultural identity, and the development and prosperity of Azerbaijan, and to defending the equal rights of its people. The Movement holds that Azerbaijan is an inseparable part of Iran and of Iran’s historical and national identity.

The Movement holds that the flourishing of Azerbaijan and the progress and dignity of Iran are not conflicting aims. Within a free, democratic, and united Iran, they stand in a mutual and lasting bond. The Movement will therefore devote all its strength and capacity to the flourishing and prosperity of Azerbaijan, and, at the same time, to the freedom, development, welfare, and dignity of the whole of Iran.