Articles 2011 - 2023

Nudity or Nudity, That is the Question?!

April 2013

To protest against the misogynous Islamic values in Egypt, Alia, an Egyptian girl published nude pictures of herself. It had great impact in the region because it defied the male chauvinist society. Posing nude in public or publishing nude posters and calendars in Europe has become a new trend by certain organisations such as Femen, a feminist organisation, which has turned women’s rights and struggles into another tabloid version of events! They seem to protest against anything by nudity!

 

Magna Aliqua

 

 

A calendar of some nude women is published. The publisher calls it revolutionary. And we are to believe that this action is revolutionary because the publishers say so. As a veteran women’s right activist, as a Marxist and Worker-communist who has fought for a better world, a world which guarantees freedom. equality and prosperity for all its citizens, regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnicity, their mother tongue, their beliefs, and the family in which they are born, and as a woman who has experienced Islam and political Islam first hand, and was forced to flee its persecution, I see nothing revolutionary in this act. Therefore, I wrote a piece in Persian to state my opinion. As I was going to write a similar statement in English, Maryam Namazie, who proudly calls this calendar her “brain child”, responded to my critique. Here, I state my view on this action and respond to points made by Maryam in defence of her “revolutionary” act.

 

I clearly made 3 points before stating my views on this calendar. 

 

1- The Iranian national-Islamists have already published their comments which are nothing but exposing their loutishness based on Islamic and nationalistic ideology. I have exposed this ideology in many occasions, including two radio interviews, in Persian, on Allia Magda Almahdi’s publication of her nude picture as a protest against misogyny and deep rooted male chauvinism dominant in Egyptian society, and Golshifteh Farahani’s, Iranian actress, nudity in a short French film promoting Cezar’s film award. The videos of these two interviews are available in my youtube channel. 

 

2. I respect unconditional freedom of expression. Everyone is free to express themselves as they please. This is the basic right of anyone. But criticizing the content of their expression is also the basic right of everyone, as well. I respect the right of every human being to unconditional freedom of thought, belief and expression. But I do not necessarily respect what they express or believe in. As I wrote in a piece entitled: “Wilders Has a Right to Express Appalling Views” www.butterfliesandwheels.org/2009/wilders-has-a-right-to-express-appalling-views/

 

3. Even if we believe that what these women have done is breaking taboos, not any taboo-breaking is revolutionary or progressive. As incest is a taboo, and I don’t believe breaking it is to any decent human being a progressive or positive action.

 

I stated that I cannot see much difference between nude pictures of women in tabloids, e.g. the Sun, and this calendar. The fact that they have written some bombastic slogans under each picture does not change the essence of it.

 

Maryam responded by saying: “What Azar doesn’t see is that nudity is not the problem; it’s the commodification and objectification of women’s bodies that are. To see the Nude Photo Revolutionary Calendar of women showing solidarity with a young Egyptian woman under attack as one and the same as a tabloid that sells dehumanized women’s bodies for profit misses entirely the point of the Calendar and for that matter Aliaa’s own actions. The Calendar is an organised act by women themselves reclaiming a tool used for suppression. It may not be considered courageous by Azar but nudity in this manner is not as easy as it may seem.”

 

I try to dissect this paragraph. There are many big-sounded concepts thrown here. It is necessary to demystify them. 

 

1- Regardsing“commodification”, I like to ask Maryam, in which context she is using this concept? In Marxian or in the everyday language used on the street and by not only some feminists, but also by some mullahs who state that women have become commodities in the West?

 

In Marxian term, a commodity is an object which has both use value and exchange value. Has a woman’s body become a commodity? I don’t think so. Women’s bodies, as long as they are not sold are not commodities. But apparently, Maryam thinks  differently. So, may I ask, how is she going to de-commodify it? By taking nude pictures and sell them to fund their cause? This is defying the purpose. If selling nude pictures of women turn their bodies into commodity, they, too, are selling their nude pictures. In essence, their act is the same as the tabloids who are selling women’s nude pictures to increase their profit. The fact that she claims its proceeds go to defend women’s rights, and tabloids put the money in their own pocket, does not change one inch the fact, that their bodies and that of the nude woman on page 3 of the Sun have become commodities. Why? Because they are exchanged for money. They have acquired an exchange-value.

 

Maryam claims that these nude photos are against political Islam. It mist be stated that Islamists do not commodify women’s bodies. This is too advanced for them. They regard women as slaves, couple of stages behind commodity market!

 

2- “The Calendar is an organised act by women themselves reclaiming a tool used for suppression.” This statement is nothing but a pompous and empty phrase, which is used to silence the opponent. Under the pressure of a trend in feminist movement, the word “woman” has acquired sanctity. just as religious figures and icons. Woman is the last word. If a woman says it, if a woman does it, then it is irreproachable. And when more women come together and organise an action, then everybody must shut up, otherwise one has offended the saint!

 

I dare to offend this sanctity, as I have done many more times in my life. An organised action by women in itself does not justify an act, as it does not make it right or revolutionary. The act must be judged on its own merits.

 

Just for the sake of clarification, and not by any means trying to make any similarities between the two acts, I make an example. If women organise prostitution, would that change the essence of prostitution? Is a brothel that has been organised by women themselves and it is run by women themselves, change the fact that it is organised prostitution? 

 

I remember that in 1999 Germaine Greer in a meeting lunching her then new book The Whole Woman, claimed that since female genital mutilation (she did not call it that, she used the term female circumcision) is done on girls by women of a given community, therefore, it is OK. I stood up in this meeting and challenged this backward misogynic opinion and was applauded by the crowd in the meeting. I say the same thing here. I listen to reason and am ready to accept any false reflections in the face of solid reason. But no one has ever silenced me by throwing pretentious and demagogical phrases at my face. I have learned to be strong in my long and hard battles against Islamic regime, political Islam and the misogynic ideology.

 

“to reclaim a tool which is used for suppression.” This phrase especially is brilliantly void of any real content and preposterous. How on earth have you and those women who created a video of their nudity have reclaimed a tool of suppression? Can you please care to explain? It is claimed that women’s bodies have become a tool of suppression of women. How? Apparently, because some use them in pornography, some use them to sell commodities, some use them for joy, and some veil them. So, we women take nude pictures of ourselves and sell them to fight women’s oppression. Isn’t this your argument? I’m sorry, I don’t buy this. Just as I don’t buy this calendar or the tabloids. 

 

In my opinion you have played in the hands of those you claim to fight against. You have used their method to reclaim your “emancipation.” This is none-sensical. This is nothing but sheer demagogy. 

 

Maryam claims that “tabloids sell dehumanized women’s bodies.” How does one decide that those women whose nude photos are published in tabloids are dehumanized, but the women in the calendar are emancipated? What is the basis for such judgement? Any offered? NO. This is nothing but arbitrary. “I say so, and I’m a woman, so it is right.” This is no argument. May I ask that if the board of the tabloid were all women, the photographers were also all women, would you still call them dehumanized? Wouldn’t this be considered as an organised action by women, and therefore, revolutionary and emancipatory?

 

She further claims that her action is an act of international solidarity. Why? Because she has also taken a nude picture of herself and published it, as Allia Magda Almahdi has done in Egypt. I never knew that international solidarity means to do exactly what a protester has done somewhere else under totally different circumstances. Allia’s act of defiance in Egypt is totally different. Taking nude photos and publish them in the west has long been permitted and attracts neither persecution, nor death threats. In fact, by doing copying her act, in this fashion, one trivializes  Allia’s action.

 

Many workers around the world are being exploited, millions in the worst dehumanized conditions. Are you ready to work under the same conditions in order to show your solidarity? Many young women are being killed or disabled as a result of the working conditions they work under. Are you ready to expose yourself to the same conditions? Many protesters burn themselves, as Ben Zaid did in Tunisia. Are you ready to do the same? Many protesters go on hunger strike, Should all supporters of their cause do the same? No, would be your immediate answer. You would consider this as lunacy. Then, why publishing nude picture of yourself is any different? It is easier. It is a good propaganda. It might bring you to national TV, or be named in a main stream media. This is the reason you have organised this act. I wonder if this was the brain child of a man, you would stop short of calling it misogynic? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protest Movement in Iraq, 

a beacon of Hope!

 

Message of solidarity from Organisation for Women’s Liberation - Iran

 

To Organisation for Women’s Freedom - Iraq

2015

We follow the news of mass protests in Iraq with great excitement and interest. The protest movement took everyone by surprise and a feeling of disbelief. It is so heart-warming to witness people in great numbers are coming into the streets to demand their well-deserved rights, despite the fear of brutal terrorism that has haunted the society. Iraqi people have experienced tremendous hardships since the bloody attack of the US, Britain and their allies 12 years ago. The war of terrorists has torn the society apart; imposing politics and ideology of sectarianism on the society and enforcing it by bombs, guns, rapes and torture. As though all this bloodshed was not enough, they had to send IS (Daesh) to finish off whatever was left of dignity, resistance and humanity in the society. But courageous and freedom-loving people of Iraq showed them a totally different picture. 

The recent protest movement brings hope not only to the people of Iraq, but all over the world. Freedom-loving and egalitarian people in the world, those we call the third pole as opposed to two poles of terrorism, come to life when they witness resistance against brutality and violence, against forces of reaction and misogyny and mobilisation for creating a better world, a world free of sectarianism, racism, misogyny, inequality and oppression. 

We are aware of your hard work throughout these difficult years. We admire your resilience and dedication. We believe that we belong to the same movement: An egalitarian movement for equality and freedom of women and all people; moreover, we both fight against the same enemy which has torn the Middle East apart, the war of the two poles of terrorists, Islamic terrorism and state terrorism, the western governments and Israel.  We support you in your difficult battle and offer you any possible help.

Long Live Freedom and Equality!

Long Live Women’s Freedom!

Down with both poles of terrorism!

In solidarity

Azar Majedi

Organisation for Women’s Liberation-Iran

17 August 2015

Greece, “Betrayal” or “Coercion”?

Marx is right!

 

July 2015

 

The events in Greece during the last 6 months can be compared to classic Greek tragedies: Peoples’ and workers’ euphoria in seeing an anti-austerity radical left party taking power; and the apprehension thereafter around different acts of ideological struggle between the right and left over negotiating table. The resistance displayed by Syriza party against the symbols of the biggest powers of capital ignited an atmosphere of excitement and jubilation. This battle led to a more solidified polarisation between Europe’s left and right; and increased the hope of the left gaining power in Spain, Italy, Ireland and Portugal. A breeze of hope swept across Europe.

 

It rapidly became obvious that for the capitalist powers, these negotiations were not over the economy, but over politics and ideology. Under no circumstances were the capitalist powers ready to capitulate to a left force; they had to teach an important lesson to the left, people, and workers who pulled out a radical left party out of the ballot boxes. Democracy does not mean workers’ power. It means division of power amongst the spokespersons of capital. Democracy is not supposed to represent workers’ demands. It is supposed to create the illusion that their views are represented. Parliamentary democracy is the political system compatible to capitalism. We stated this thesis more than two decades ago.* However, this reality crashed on Greek people, particularly after  the majority voted NO to austerity in a referendum, and a few days later, Tsipras signed the austerity terms dictated to him. Once more class struggle proved this bitter truth. 

 

The Economist wrote that the European governments taught a good lesson to the left. The centre and liberal currents criticised Angela Merkel that she has undermined democracy in European Union. Jurgen Habermas, German philosopher has said: “I fear that the German government, including its social democratic faction, have gambled away in one night all the political capital that a better Germany had accumulated in half a century”. (thegurdian.com) These are the liberal and centre-left criticisms which are incapable of understanding the real battle going on behind this chapter of the class struggle during the negotiations. Merkel, speaking for the bourgeoisie did identify that if they gave in to the left, there would be no end to left’s progression. People of Europe and the world follow the event in Greece closely and with excitement. Janis Varoufakis, the former finance minister, disclosed some facts about the behind the door negotiations, after resigning, that expose the aims of the European states. 

 

What is the lesson of this last act of class struggle for workers, the left and communist forces? The answer is to once again reiterate this fundamental Marxist lesson: Capitalism or Socialism? There is no third way. In times of crisis, the extreme left and right of the political spectrum come forth. To overcome the crisis, there are two ways. The capitalist way: austerity, hunger, poverty, destitution and slavery of the working class on the one hand, and accumulation of wealth and capital for the bourgeoisie on the other hand.** The socialist way: workers’ revolution, overthrow of capitalist relations of production, abolition of private property of means of production and abolition of wage labour. There is no third way!

 

Syriza, the newly formed radical left party in Greece does not have a socialist platform. Even if socialism is in their strategic programme, it is not on their current agenda. They are a reformist left party that is delusional about parliamentary democracy. As we said before, their election victory was a step forward in the class struggle. The fact that a radical left party that is somewhat identified with Marxism managed to adopt tactics that gained workers’ trust and necessary credibility to win in a general election in an European country is an important gain for the left movement. However, this is not the whole issue. Tsipras’s opposition in the Syriza party do not talk of socialism. They talk of exiting the Eurozone. Tsipras’s argument regarding this issue is a logical one: “800 Euros of pension now is equivalent to 800 Drachma after the exit” which does not have much value. So workers’ situation will not get any better. It should be noted that this is not a debate between two communist currents. This is a debate between two left-reformist currents that both want to create a humane capitalism. The latter is nothing but a utopia.  

 

Unfortunately this period of class struggle in Greece started with passion and excitement but ended in tragedy. The issue is not choosing between the villain and hero within Syriza party. Neither Tsipras is a “traitor” or Varoufakis a “hero”. They only represent two left reformist currents, with illusions about democracy and somewhat nationalist. The issue of “national sovereignty”, “humiliation of Greece and the Greeks” were mentioned by both more than poverty and destitution of the people. It is distressing to see protestors in front of the parliament building being attacked by the police with tear gas under the rule of Syriza. Tsipras says there was no other option and that he was forced to cave in. But there is another way: Organisation of workers’ revolution and overthrow of capitalism.

 

However, first and foremost a workers’ revolution demands, a strong worker-communism party. We had stated the bare realities of class struggle over and over again; the realities that once again crashed on, not only the Greek working class, but the international working class during the last phase of class struggle in Greece. The Greek tragedy demonstrates, once again, the lessons of Marx and Mansoor Hekmat. The only way to overcome tragedy is to organise a workers’ revolution. 

 

* Mansoor Hekmat, Democracy, Interpretation and Realities, www.m-hekmat.com

 

** In the past 5 years the British government has ratified the most brutal laws against welfare in the society. Poverty has increased enormously in Britain. A third of children in London live under the poverty line. Bourgeois analysts report a further one million children joining the poverty line. Working people can not even provide food for themselves and their families. During the same period, the wealth of the top 10% rich people has doubled.  

 

 

 

 

Islamic State of Turkey War on Opposition

July 2015

After losing the majority in recent election, Turkish Islamic government led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has openly resorted to suppressing any voice of left opposition in Turkey. It broke the cease fire in place for two years, since peace talks gained momentum. Turkish military and air force started bombing Kurdistan Workers Party’s (PKK) headquarters in Iraqi Kurdistan (Xakurke, Qandil, Behdinan, Zap, Gare, Basye, Amedia, and Avasin) at 10:55pm on 24th of July.  This area is populated by PKK guerrillas and civilians. Attacks have been continuing.

It seems that the people’s uprising in the Middle East and North Africa, inflamed the desire to restore the Ottoman Empire in Erdogan and his Islamist party. Turkey’s active participation in creation of Islamic forces, Jihadist and IS in the region is no secret. Turkey along with major NATO powers has intervened actively in the civil wars in Syria and Libya. It has supported ISIS militarily, medically and allowing access to its borders. Turkey played an important role in the war in Kobane. Turkey’s Islamic state cannot tolerate a progressive rule in Kurdish areas of Syria. It’s been documented that the attack of ISIS on Kobane on 19 July which led to many death was demanded by Turkey.

AKP’s all out attack on the left, socialist organisations and PKK created a bloodbath in a summer camp organised by the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) in Suruç Culture Centre, which is run by Suruç Municipality under the control of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). 300 members of this organisation had gathered to plan a project to help rebuild Kobane, which lies directly across the border from Suruç. It is said that an 18 year old female suicide bomber exploded the bomb during a breakfast meeting. More than 30 people were brutally killed and more than 100 injured.

After this bloody attack obviously organised by AKP, the police has organised a heavy handed raid under the excuse of rounding up terrorist activists in Istanbul and some other parts of the country. It is reported that in Istanbul police raid led to an armed confrontation between the activists and the police.

The flame of people’s uprising for a better world, for freedom, equality and justice in the region has found its way into Turkey. Since spring 2013 Turkey has been the scene of great protest movement by the left, socialist, communist and secular forces. The events in Gizi Park in Istanbul more than two years ago led to a protest movement in Turkey which is perhaps the most influential protest movement in the past two decades. The Islamic government brutally attacked the demonstrations and opposition gatherings in Istanbul and other cities. This trend has continued and has been strengthened by the developments in Kobane and the heroic resistance of the people in this area. 

This development was a great blow to Erdogan and his Islamic party. They seemed to be confident in crushing any protest and create a comprehensive Islamic state in Turkey. However, so far the left, workers organisations, progressive and women’s rights organisations have resisted with great deal of strength. The recent election was a great blow to Erdogan’s dreams. Thus, launching these all out attacks on the left, socialist, workers organisations and PKK. The political events in Turkey and the development of class struggle there can play an important role in the whole region. We should categorically support the left and worker’s opposition in Turkey. The overthrow of the Islamic state of AKP is an important step towards defeating the Islamists and thereby to push back state terrorism.

Palestine

Another Intifada?

 

October 2015

Settlers’ violence against Palestinians have escalated in recent months. In response to these and Israeli government’s violence against Palestinians, Palestinians, particularly the youth have been protesting in Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem. The response of Israeli army to stone throwing teenagers has been gun shots. Since the beginning of October 23 Palestinians have been killed, among them 15 and 16 year old teenagers. Today the Israeli government declared that anybody throwing stones will be jailed, regardless of their age.

The mass media is talking about another Intifada in Palestine. Frustration among Palestinians has risen considerably. More than two decades after the peace process started, the situation of Palestinians have worsened; around 4 million people in Gaza have practically become prisoners and live under inhuman conditions. Violence has escalated considerably. Ignoring all international resolutions and mass protest demonstrations around the world, Israeli government is expanding settlements in the occupied territories. Finally Mahmud Abbas the Palestinian authority’s leader told the UN general assembly that they believe the peace process have come to an end, but symbolically raised the Palestinian flag in the UN. 

In such volatile and frustrating situation, a People’s uprising is in making. And this is what Israel and its backers fear the most. It was the first Intifada that gave rise to changes. That is why, as soon as people’s protests come to the scene, the international media gives warning of another intifada. Indeed if the situation should improve to any degree, an active and radical mobilisation of people is essential. Neither Hamas nor Palestinian authority represents the real demands of Palestinians. Particularly, Hamas is a product of Israel, in its effort to suppress the first intifada. A reactionary oppressive Islamic force has been instrumental in breaking the peace process and turning Gaza into a prison for its inhabitants.

Palestinian issue remains to be an important conflict not only in the region but internationally. The inhumane and unjust treatment of Palestinian people for decades by Israel and with full support of the US and the west will continue to be a prominent issue in the region, and prevent any real peace and stability there, unless Israel is forced to accept the two state solution, with full respect for an independent Palestinian state with equal rights.

active and radical mobilisation of people is essential. Neither Hamas nor Palestinian authority represents the real demands of Palestinians. Particularly, Hamas is a product of Israel, in its effort to suppress the first intifada. A reactionary oppressive Islamic force has been instrumental in breaking the peace process and turning Gaza into a prison for its inhabitants.

Palestinian issue remains to be an important conflict not only in the region but internationally. The inhumane and unjust treatment of Palestinian people for decades by Israel and with full support of the US and the west will continue to be a prominent issue in the region, and prevent any real peace and stability there, unless Israel is forced to accept the two state solution, with full respect for an independent Palestinian state with equal rights.

Turkish Islamic state assassinates the left activists!

Since after the last election in Turkey which resulted in AKP losing its absolute majority and therefore wrecking Erdogan’s dream of becoming an all powerful president and more importantly allowing a left party into parliament, the injured Islamic government has launched a terrorist campaign against the left, people of Turkish Kurdistan, PKK and trade unionist. Yesterday two explosions occurred at a peace rally in Ankara organised by trade unions and supported by HDP (People’s Democratic Party) and several left parties. It is reported that up to now 97 people have been killed and hundreds injured. 

It has been said that: “Pointing out that police forces attacked the scene of the explosions with tear gas soon after the incident and hindered the access of ambulances, Demirtaş said it was not ambulances but riot police that mobilised after the massacre in the heart of the Turkish capital.” The government has claimed that either PKK or ISIL are responsible for the attack, while the organisers have pointed finger at the government. Today, Sunday October 11 thousands came to the streets of Turkey in solidarity with those who were murdered yesterday protesting against the government. The police attacked the demonstration in Diyarbikr. 

In mass murder campaign of the last few months organised by the AKP government hundreds of leftists and opposition activists have been killed in terrorist attacks in Diyarbakır and Suruç and now Ankara. The killing campaign has also included bombing PKK headquarters in Iraqi Kurdistan, the last of which happened today.

Turkish Islamic state has been playing an important role in the current turmoil and violence ridden situation in the Middle East. Turkey has been an ally of the US and the west, a member of NATO. However, in the last decade, AKP government has played a vital role in creating and promoting Islamic groups in the region. Erdogan’s ambitions to bring back the Ottoman power and “glory” to Turkey and turning himself into a modern Sultan has been a driving force behind this strategy. Turkey’s role was essential in organising and supporting the opposition force under the so-called “Syria Liberation Army” a front of Islamic groups, Al Nosrat and Jihadists. This front was launched in Istanbul in 2011 and its headquarters was based in Turkey. Turkey’s role in creating and supporting Daesh (ISIS) is undeniable. At many occasions it was exposed that ISIS has attacked Kobani from Turkey.

The killing spree of the AKP government in the past few months is mainly aimed at creating a chaotic political situation in Turkey, in order to affect the election results of November 1, so in the hope to win the absolute majority it needs to both form a single party government and change the constitution to give more power to the president, a dream which was ruined by HDP success at the last election. It is of utmost importance to condemn the brutal attacks of the Turkish government and express support and solidarity with the left, secular and progressive forces of Turkey. It is also important to condemn the US and the west for their support of Erdogan government. The reactionary secret pact between the US and AKP government to bombard the PKK forces in Iraqi Kurdistan must also be exposed and condemned.

 

The Conflict Between Minority Rights Versus Citizen Rights

November 2, 2017

Azar Majedi

Secular Islam

 

Presented is a conversation between Iranian activist Azar Majedi and the Worker-Communist Review on banning religious symbols, Islamic courts, civil freedoms, minority rights, and racism. This is an excerpt from a roundtable discussion between Hamid Taqvaie, Ai Javadi, and Azar Majedi.

 

Worker-Communist review: The debate surrounding the banning of conspicuous religious symbols in schools and government workplaces in France have raised some fundamental questions about religious freedom and freedom of choice and dress. Is the ban a restriction on religious freedom, choice and dress? How far must a ban go? Why?

Azar Majedi:
This is a restriction on the role of religion in the affairs of the civil society, rather than religious freedom as such. The ban is aiming to restrict the meddling of religion as an institution in the running of the state and society at large.

Religious freedom is commonly understood as freedom of religious beliefs and practice. However, depending on your point of view, practicing one’s beliefs takes different dimensions. In a secular society, religion is and must be separated from state, education, citizens’ formal identification and so on; it must be a private matter. Therefore, from a secular point of view, the state and education must not represent any particular religion or religious belief. Using religious symbols, such as veiling, would be considered a denial of the principle of secularism, and contradicts the principles of a secular society. By banning religious symbols in public schools and state institutions, one is aiming to safeguard a freer society where religion remains a private affair.

To get a clearer picture and to avoid any false assumptions, one must look at the history of the development of modern and civil society. Secularism is the product of this process and one of the pillars of such a society. To eradicate the influence of the church from the affairs of the state, to relegate religion to the private sphere and to restrict the role of religion as an institution are all significant achievements of modern society. The French revolution is an important historical moment in this process. These restrictions on religion became necessary in order to materialize the main slogans of this revolution: ‘Freedom and Equality’.

Going back to your question, this ban is a restriction on religion, but not a restriction on individual freedom or individual rights. In my opinion, this ban is a necessary step towards a freer society, and furthermore, I believe restricting religion will help create a more equal society, particularly for women. By restricting religion, society is in a better position to respect individual/citizen rights. However, I believe that this ban is not enough. We should ban religious schools and the veiling of under-aged girls.

Worker-Communist Review:
In the debate around the banning of religious symbols in France as well as regarding the establishment of a Sharia court in Canada, the issue of minority rights has been raised and that minorities and ‘their’ cultural and religious difference need to be respected in a multicultural and pluralist society. Please comment on minority rights. Isn’t there a conflict between minority and collective rights versus individual rights? What about vis-à-vis the concept of citizenship?

Azar Majedi:
If I remember correctly, historically, the concept of minority rights was raised in the US civil rights movement. The struggle against racism and for the recognition of equal rights for black people in the US acknowledged minority rights as a valid and credible legal concept. Later, the concept of respect for minority rights extended to any deprived or disadvantaged section of society, even women. In fact, historically, minority rights meant the recognition of equal and universal rights for all citizens in a given society by extending equal rights to members of a deprived section in the society. In this context, minority rights do not contradict individual or citizen’s rights; on the contrary it extends it to all citizens. Whereas now, in this new context i.e. respect for multiculturalism, respect for different cultures, or cultural relativism, minority rights has been transformed to imply the rights of a collective, not members of that collective. In reality, this practice is discriminatory. Recognizing certain rights for a community or a collective based on culture, race, or religion in essence means depriving the individual members of that collective of the universal laws of the larger society. It gives prevalence to the collective vis-à-vis individuals. Thus, contrary to what the defenders of multiculturalism like to portray, this practice is not egalitarian, but rather it is discriminatory. In a given society, there must exist one set of laws that applies to all citizens, not different laws applying to different communities.

Worker-Communist Review:
Some say that disregarding the special needs and rights of minorities leads to racism? Is it racist and discriminatory and ‘Islamophobic’ to ban conspicuous religious symbols or oppose a Sharia court in the west?

Azar Majedi:
I addressed the first part of the question above. I should also mention that I do not recognize the concept of ‘special needs of minorities’. Regarding the second part of the question, I should state that not only it is not racist or discriminatory to oppose the Sharia court in the West or ban conspicuous religious symbols, it is the contrary. Setting up of such courts is a discriminatory and racist act. (I have explained this issue and talked about Islamophobia further in my speech in Canada, which is published in this issue.)

Worker-Communist Review:
We are told that banning religious symbols and or a Sharia court will lead to extremism yet we see a rise in extremism in the west as a result of multi-culturalism and in the identification of people with the political Islamic movement. Please comment.

Azar Majedi:
I do not see any direct relation between these two, i.e. the rise in one would result in the rise or fall of the other. As far as political Islam is concerned, the main characteristic of this movement is extreme reaction, and its main tool for political advancement is resorting to terror. The rise in the identification of certain sections of the society in the West with political Islam, especially among the youth, is a result of a more complex situation. I believe that the existing racism in the West, the socio-economic deprivation of the immigrant population, or citizens from non-Western origin, the alienation this section feels and so on create fertile ground for resentment towards the west and western values. On this ground, and in the absence of a strong, progressive and humanitarian anti-racist and pro-integration movement, political Islam has been able to recruit with its aggressive methods of propaganda. Political Islam has been able to take the real resentment and frustration of this section of the population hostage and cash in on it

 

 

 

 

Nationalism is a false remedy for national oppression.

 

August 2019

It has recently come to light that Kurdish nationalist organisations of Iran have held several secret talks with the Islamic regime of Iran (IR) in the past one and a half years in Norway. These talks have been facilitated by NOREF (Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution) a Norwegian NGO. This is not the first time some of these organisations have secretly met with IR’s officials in order to reach a power-sharing deal. In July 1989 in Vienna, Abodl-Rahman Ghasemlou, the general secretary of the Kurdistan Democratic Party lost his life in a secret meeting with IR, i.e. was murdered in the meeting. The irony is that the next general secretary of the same party with some of his colleagues were assassinated by IR in a restaurant in Berlin in the 90s. However, the 2 Democratic Parties (the two splits from the original Democratic Party) and two other nationalist organisations the splits from Komala and Communist Party of Iran were among the delegates.

Fighting for some time in order to sit at a table with central governments for a piece of regional pie has been the story of Kurdish nationalist organisations in Iraq and Iran! In Iraq since 1991, after the US led attack on Iraq, the Iraqi Kurdistan received a de facto autonomy which was reinforced after 2003 attack. Since the 1991 the Iraqi Kurdish parties have developed a friendly relationship with IR and the Turkish government. Basically, the Democratic Party of Iraqi Kurdistan has developed close ties with Turkey and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and with the IR. Lately with the help of these organisations IR organised an attack on one of the Iranian Kurdish organisations in Iraqi Kurdistan.*

These secret talks have angered the leftist and communist organisations of Iran and Kurdistan and many People in Kurdistan and Iran. These talks are taking place at a time when people in Iran have risen in revolt against the regime since January 2018. IR is trying to suppress any protest by the working class and different sections of the population. Many activists have been imprisoned and tortured; some have been murdered under torture. The worker activists known as Haft Tapeh activists have been in prison for almost 6 months and their so-called trial began on August 3 and stopped indefinitely due to Ismaeil Bakhshis’s resistance. (Read the communiqué on the trial in page 8 of this journal.)

The Kurdish nationalist organisations have time and again tried to gain some kind of deal with IR. However until the last wave of people’s uprising IR was not willing to give these organisations any concessions and as it was mentioned above when it agreed to meet with them was to carry out an assassination plot against their leaders. However, time is changing. It seems that under current political situation that the balance of power between the people and the regime has shifted and with the rise of the working class movement, mass poverty and discontentment, IR finds itself too weak to suppress the society as it once could. Therefore, it has given into talks with nationalist Kurdish organisations to perhaps buy some time and use them as mercenaries to control Kurdistan.

It has been revealed that the talks have revolved around giving some minimal control over to the Kurdish organisations to control the security in Kurdistan in exchange for allowing the teaching of Kurdish language in schools. This so-called concession is meant to silence the resentment of the people in Kurdistan.

The Kurdish organisations of Iranian Kurdistan are trying to follow the footsteps of their counterparts in Iraqi Kurdistan. The nationalist Kurdish organisations of Iraqi Kurdistan owe their empowerment to the US and NATO attack on Iraq, the killing of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and the total ruin of the whole society. This is the reason for the friendly relationship of these organisations with the US and Israel. The leadership of these organisations have amassed millions of dollars since 1991. They have enriched themselves at the expense of the working class and ordinary people of Kurdistan. But this is the story of nationalist parties.

Their Iranian counterparts are dreaming the same dream, be it impossible. The leadership of these parties at the same time are trying to gain Trump’s favour. Some of them have met with Pompeo, the US secretary of state in order to have a place in their plan for a future “regime change.”

We, worker-communists have always maintained that nationalism is not a solution to national oppression, but an ideology that helps the bourgeoisie or “the elite” to negotiate a position of power and supremacy. The story of Kurdish nationalism reveals and proves this point so justly. The only real solution to national oppression and the Kurdish question is formulated in The Better World, Worker-communist programme written by Mansoor Hekmat:

“Elimination of national oppression

The worker-communist party stands for the complete end to national oppression and to all forms of national discrimination in the laws of the country and government policies. The party regards nationalism, national identity and national pride as very backward and harmful notions that negate the universal human identity of people and stifle the cause of equality and freedom. The party is strictly opposed to any categorisation of the population according to nationality and any definition of national identity for people. It stands for setting up a system in which all residents, irrespective of nationality, have equal rights as members of the society, and where no discrimination, negative or positive, is exercised on the basis of nationality.”

“As a general principle, the worker-communist party stands for people of different national origins to live as free citizens with equal rights within larger national entities. This strengthens workers' ranks in the class struggle. Nevertheless, in cases where a history of national oppression and strife has made coexistence within existing states difficult, the party recognises the right of oppressed nationalities, if they so choose in a direct and free referendum, to secede and form independent states.”

“The Kurdish question

In view of the long history of national oppression against the Kurdish people in all the countries of the region, and the bloody suppression of protest movements and struggles for autonomy in Iranian Kurdistan under both the Shah's regime and the Islamic regime, the worker-communist party, in principle, recognises Kurdish people's right to separate from Iran and form an independent state through a free referendum. The party strongly condemns any violent and military actions to prevent the exercise of this free choice. The worker-communist party calls for immediate resolution of the Kurdish question in Iran by means of a free referendum in the Kurd-inhabited regions of western Iran under the supervision of recognised international bodies. Such a referendum should be held after the withdrawal of the central government's military forces and a period of free activity for all the political parties in Kurdistan to inform people of their programmes, positions and views.”

“The worker-communist party regards the idea of Kurdish autonomy called for by the nationalist forces in Kurdistan not as a step forward but rather as a recipe for perpetuating Kurdish and-non-Kurdish national identities within a single national framework. National autonomy is bound to eternalise and officially legitimise national divisions, and set the stage for the continuation of national conflicts in the years to come.”

“The worker-communist party considers as invalid and illegal any settlement of the political future of Kurdistan, be it a unilateral decision of the government or result of deals between the central government and local parties, introduced without the explicit consent of the people of Kurdistan themselves in an open and free referendum.”

 

 

 

* The Kurdish organisations of Iran have held headquarters in Iraqi Kurdistan since they were forced out of Iran by IR military forces. However, after the US-led attack on Iraq, IR found an easy access to Iraqi Kurdistan through its dealings with the two Kurdish organisations governing Iraqi Kurdistan. IR reinforced its presence in Iraqi Kurdistan after the 2003 attack. Since then attacks on Kurdish organisations settling in Iraqi Kurdistan became much easier for IR and more frequent. 

Council movement within the working class in Iran,

Possible and practical!

 

Interview with Azar Majedi

Member of Hekmatist Party leadership & Chairperson of Organisation for 

Women’s Liberation 

 

Working class organisations in Iran have taken different forms to lesser or greater degree during different historical periods. Trade unions.The desire and appetite for building workers’ organisations have always existed in Iran. In this interview we are discussing different aspects of workers’ organisations in Iran. Their successes, their defeats and the underlying reasons for their existence or lack of.

 

Let's begin with the current events. Workers in Haft-Tapeh Sugar Cane factory have been protesting for years demanding better working conditions. They organised themselves in councils. Their leaders and activists have been arrested. Could you expand on their struggle?

 

AM: Unpaid wages and the right to create their independent organisation, i.e. independent of the state, have been among workers’ top demands at Haft Tapeh and for most workers. Workers’ organisations were crushed after the 1981 clamp down by the state. In the case of Haft Tapeh sugar cane plant, they created a union in 1974 which was later shut down by the state and re-launched in autumn 2008 after a long struggle by the workers.

 

Haft Tapeh workers have been periodically protesting against hardship, for overdue wages, for opening their organisation since 2005. In this year workers organised a round of protests demanding 3 months overdue wages; their main slogan: “we’re Haft Tapeh workers, we’re hungry!” Later, during 2007-2008, they escalated their protest and took to the streets, marching and sit-ins in front of government offices and blocking Ahvaz- Andimeshk road. In November 2007 a letter was written and signed by 2500 of workers to Khuzestan labour authorities demanding the re-opening of their organisation (Union/syndicate). The signatories of the letter were arrested. Nevertheless, the union’s re-launching board was officially introduced in May 2008 and in October the Haft Tapeh Union was re-opened by the vote of more than 1000 workers.  

 

The story of Haft Tapeh workers, like all working class in Iran, has been a constant battle with the regime. All workers’ representatives, leaders or activists have been jailed, dismissed and harassed routinely. Since 2015 when Haft Tapeh plant became privatised, the situation of the workers has deteriorated even more. Overdue wages sometimes half year is one of the main points of struggle. The wages are below poverty line and workers and their families struggle enormously to survive. (At present they are 4 times below the poverty line.)

 

The last round of protests and strike began in 2017. All through 2017 and 2018 workers were protesting over unpaid wages, getting rid of the management, and the right to have control over their organisation. Workers’ leaders have been arrested and beaten up. For a short period in 2018 workers managed to get rid of some of the management and exercise a semi-control over the workplace. In winter 2018 Haft Tapeh workers went on strike for 27 days, took their protest to the streets, succeeded to attract a great deal of support not only by the people of Shush, but nationwide. 

 

It was during this protest that Esmaeil Bakhsi, a workers’ leader introduced the slogan of creating workers’ independent council and general assembly. He also talked about workers’ control. These ideas were warmly received by the working class, left and communist activists in universities and nationwide. 

This was the height of the working class movement in general and Haft Tapeh in particular. The regime clamped down on the workers, arrested some 20 activists. After couple of days all but Esmaeil Bakshi and Sepide Gholyan, a worker activist were freed. Later on, Ali Nejati, the senior member of the union since 2008 was also arrested. Since the clamp down, some workers have sporadically organised some protests, mainly for freeing their jailed comrades and over overdue wages. However, the initial momentum has been slowed down dramatically.

 

It must also be mentioned that during the same time of the last strike by the Haft Tapeh workers, workers of the steel plant in Ahvaz too went on strike for similar demands. They too, took their protest to the streets of Ahvaz and received nationwide support by workers, and the general public. They organised their general assembly regularly and decided on their actions. Steel workers were also attacked by the security forces and their leaders arrested.

 

Haft Tapeh and Steel workers’ protest movement was the height of the working class movement in the past one year and half since the mass uprising of January 2018. Their leaders gained national popularity and became well-known nationally and also internationally by the working class. 

 

Their attempt to create councils was not successful but it definitely left its mark in the society. It must be mentioned that workers’ council are not a new phenomenon in Iran. During the 1979 revolution many workers organised councils in their factories and some managed to organise regional ones. However, as mentioned above, after the bloody clamp down of June 1981 all councils were abolished and workers leaders and activists arrested, tortured and many executed.

 

 

What is the difference between different organisations for example General Assembly, Unions and Factory Committees? 

 

AM: There is no rigid definition of these two forms of organisations. Workers’ councils have historically come to existence in revolutionary periods, or at times of deep political crisis; Paris commune, Russian Revolution 1905 and 1917, in Italy, Germany, Poland and some other countries in the 1920’s council movements were formed. Sometimes there were factory organisations, and in other cases, the most prominent Russian Revolution of 1917, they became political organisations in wider context. In Iran during the 1979 revolution a vibrant council movement emerged but it was mostly a factory council.

 

Workers’ committees also emerged during the 1917 October Revolution. They became widespread and powerful; however, the councils/ Soviets gained the upper hand. The committees seem to be more a delegate organisation, where the workers representatives gather to pursue workers demands and make decisions over the process of struggle. Whereas, councils are mass organisations, where all workers participate and make decisions in general assemblies and at times elect their representatives.

One must consider a very significant point, if workers’ organisations, i.e. councils, committees and unions, were once spontaneous organisations of the period, they are no longer politically neutral. Different political movements uphold and promote different workers organisations; e.g. trade unions soon became the organisations of social democracy and the left of the bourgeoisie, whereas councils have historically been promoted and organised by communists and as it was mentioned, they appear at the time of political turbulence and afterwards are crushed by the bourgeoisie; therefore General Assembly movement can be a more sustainable and practical alternative of workers’ organisation. The latter provides workers’ full participation and direct action in the factory where activists are not singled out, hence reducing security risks. 

 

All different forms of organisation within the working class in Iran is a reflection of different movements within the working class. Trade union movement being a reformist tendency; and Councils being direct participation of workers. Is that why the WPI-Hekmatist party favours the Council movement as opposed to Trade Union movement? 

 

A.M: This is definitely an important factor. Trade unions or syndicates (as they’re called in Iran) are the labour branch of the social democratic movement. They are an instrument of the bourgeoisie to subdue workers’ radicalism and militancy, they force agreements on workers, and they are bureaucratic.

 

Councils in Iran are a familiar phenomenon among the working class. They have contemporary history. The fact that workers in Iran, during 1979-1981 created councils, is also another factor. In Iran, materials to build councils is already available, so it facilitates their creation. Having said that we must emphasize that even though we promote councils and work for their creation, we support any forms of workers organisation that workers build to materialise their demand. We are not against other forms of  workers’ organisations that struggle for workers’ rights and conditions; we believe councils are better forms of class organisation. Manssor Hekmat clearly explains:

 

“V) Councils and general assemblies (regular and organised) is the correct stance regarding workers' mass organisations in Iran, because:

1. Politically, it is nearer to the needs of the workers in Iran (not being limited to economic and legal arenas).
2. It is practically possible (general assembly is the natural form of most workers' struggles, it conceals the weakness of workers in Iran to form complicated hierarchal organisations, it relies on direct power of organised mass, and it is easy to defend).
3. Its practical backbone is not reformism or social democracy; it is the Paris Commune and the October revolution. Its educational weight for workers is precious.
4. With the development of the revolution and radicalization of the masses, it does not lose its capacity for struggle but rather it enhances it. General assemblies are workers' and councils' direct democratic basis.

The workers' movement has already proven the practicality of this policy.” 

(Mansoor Hekmat published in the journal "Towards Socialism" number 3, September 1989.  Translated by Maryam Kousha - July 2009.) 

 

What is the underlying reason for the unsuccessful formation of trade union movement in Iran? 

 

AM: To answer this question one needs to look at the history of the working class in Iran. Dictatorship and the absence of an ongoing reformist party definitely have played an important role. At 1979 the capitalist system was quite young in Iran, the land reform took place in 1960s and subsequently a massive migration of peasant population to urban areas changed the composition of the working class dramatically. Full employment and increase of oil revenue in a short time in the 70s were all contributing factors. At the time of revolution, revolutionary solutions came to fore and a strong council movement came to existence among the working class. The Islamic Regime has heavy-handedly crushed all efforts by the workers for creation of independent organisations, and imposed “Islamic councils” on them. The fact that IR has taken over the term council shows the strength and popularity of council among the Iranian working class. However, There have been efforts to create some syndicates (union) in the past 15 years, e.g. Tehran city bus drivers and Haft Tapeh sugar cane plant. They have constantly been harassed by the regime and their leadership jailed. In Haft Tapeh Esmaeil Bakhsi introduced the councils and gained popularity but soon crushed. Bus Drivers Syndicate has become paralysed by the state.

 

To what extend is the Council movement more realistic to succeed in Iran? Does it depend on the growth of Worker-communist movement? 

 

AM: As was mentioned, councils come to existence at revolutionary periods or in political crisis, this is the political climate in Iran now. If the bourgeoisie succeeds to crush the working class and popular movement, then councils will also be crushed. We, Worker-communists promote and work for councils, and hopefully as we become stronger so will be the council movement. But the history has shown that councils have solid place among the working class. Now they are becoming popular among the wider population. 

 

It is interesting that in Iran, despite daily suppression, workers go on strike, form General Assemblies and stage protest meetings. Does this mean that formation of radical and progressive organisations within the working class can one day overcome all limitations; and promise a better world in Iran?

 

AM: When workers are desperate they are forced to take actions; this is a life lesson. At present the minimum wage is 4 times below the poverty line, how could anyone expect people to live under such harsh conditions. Particularly in the past one and a half years, there have been workers’ strikes every day, in all cities and all sectors. If you consider teachers and nurses and pensioners then the numbers will add up significantly. The anti-IR sentiments are deep and strong. People despise the regime and its leaders. The state tries to suppress discontent and opposition, as it can be expected. However, the balance of power has shifted. IR cannot crush the opposition the way it once could. The reformist faction of the IR has jumped ship and joined the old-regime movement. Taking these factors into consideration the downfall of this regime is in view. The question is which political movement finds the upper hand; If Worker-communism is able to become a prominent political force in the country the answer to your question is positive; otherwise we go through the same cycle. 

Mass protest movements, women’s empowerment and challenging the gender roles!

 

2019

What distinguishes the current protest movements from the hitherto ones is not only their largeness, militancy, radical slogans and demands, calling for overthrow of the existing systems; but also the role of women in them. Large number of women are present in these protest movements; but it’s not only their numbers that is impressive; it’s their role in organising and leading the movement; in their bold and courageous acts of fighting one to one with the heavily armed police and in shielding their male counterparts from the police attack.

 You see women everywhere active in every aspects of the movement. The narration is not and cannot be “women shoulder to shoulder with men” anymore; as though men are the main factor and women the derivatives. This is exciting, extremely important, very progressive and deeply transformative. This development will change the social roles, balance of power between the sexes and the gender myths. 

This is important worldwide; but especially in the Middle East under the grip of the Islamist regimes and movements, it has utmost significance. The traditional roles basically imposed by these reactionary regimes and ideology have created a gender narration of women being the weak and men the strong; females in need of the protection of the male; women subdued and submissive. All these are being challenged; the myth of the weaker sex is transforming into dust. 

And this is the beauty of these courageous and vibrant movements. Women are targeting the tribal rulers and their ideologies, who have taken the society to the Middle Ages; reactionary values and dogmas have been given a new life and imposed on the people; The movements that have raised the Islamic veils as their banners and have based their power on gender apartheid are being seriously challenged and disarmed. 

Women’s empowerment is the real result of these mass movements. None of the recent feminist movements and narrations has been able to challenge the society deeply or towards an egalitarian one; the great mass protest movements are taking the gender challenge to the street and firmly plant it in the society.

Murder in European and American borders

 

No human is illegal!

Families belong together!

The world should be put right side up!

 

July 2019

Every day tens of people who have fled poverty, war and devastation get killed on their way to reach Europe and USA. During the last two years more than 6000 drowned in the Mediterranean sea and many from Central America lost their lives while crossing the US border. 

 

The horrendous treatment of the refugees including children by the US border officials has created the most brutal and criminal conditions for the refugees, the likes of which can only be compared to Nazi detention camps. So far 7 children have died in custody. Hundreds have lost their lives on their way from Mexico to US. The number of refugees drowned in the Mediterranean sea was 3000 in 2017; 2262 in 2018 and 519 in 2019. The bodies of many refugees who tried to cross the Italian border into France through the Alps were only recently discovered where the snow had thawed. 

 

War, criminality, poverty, devastation and slavery of nearly 30 million people is not a world fit for humanity. It is upside down. As Marx said the world should be put right side up.

Iran/US tension

 

“US and Iran help each other while they are attacking each other!”

June 2019

Interview with Azar Majedi

Member of Hekmatist Party leadership & Chairperson of Organisation for Women’s Liberation 

 

Last year US reinstated all sanctions against Islamic Republic of Iran after abandoning the nuclear deal. Earlier in May 2019, US ended exemptions from sanctions for countries still purchasing from Iran. The US government then announced to reinforce its military presence in the region because “troubling and escalatory indications” regarding Iran. 

 

Later in May four oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman were damaged. The US Republicans are reported to have received reports that this attack was “co-ordinated and directed by the Iranian government”. The latter denied being behind the attacks. 

 

Soon a whole wave of accusations and talks of war between Iran and US from both sides emerged. The above is really the narrative of the Western and Islamic media. What is happening? This is not the first time tensions between the two governments has escalated. What has changed? What factors are playing a role for this new development? What are the aims of both governments by starting war rhetoric? How are the people of both countries and the region affected? Is this the start of the famous “regime change”?

 

These are the questions that we will explore with Azar Majedi in this interview.

 

 

The recent tensions between US government and Islamic Republic of Iran are well publicised. The above introduction is really what the general public have been told. What is the likelihood of war breaking out? What is the real root of the tensions? Is there a tension, or is it just war of words to intimidate the people in Iran who are constantly struggling against the Islamic regime? At the same time strengthening Trump’s position in US? 

 

A.M- At present it does not seem very likely; particularly after Trump’s statement in Japan regarding the Islamic Regime, clearly expressing that the US does not seek “regime change” in Iran. However, one cannot overrule the threat of a war in the future. The answer to this goes to the second part of the question: the root of the tension. The tension between the US and the IR goes back to the early days of the IR. 

 

The relationship between the US and the IR has always been tense. However, there are mainly two phases in this relationship and thereby basically one can point out to two somewhat different roots. The first phase began in autumn 1980, with the occupation of the US Embassy in Tehran by some Islamic students, as a means to push back the left and the communists. Islamic Regime’s main mission was to crush the revolution of 1979 under the guise of the revolution. As the left of that period was mainly “anti-imperialist”, i.e. anti-American, a faction of the IR which came to be known as Imam’s Line, cleverly thought out a plan to disarm the leftist movement, which was rapidly growing among the workers and the youth. The occupation of the Embassy indeed disarmed the major part of the left, be it for a short time. 

 

This opportunity gave the IR a breathing space to suppress the opposition and gather its forces for the final blow, which came in June 1981, when a coup d’état-like clamp down on the society was organised. As a result of this bloody clamp down tens of thousands of opposition, among them many communists were executed or murdered under torture. A war also started in Kurdistan in March 1980 and continued actively until the autumn of 1983, soon after the launching of the Communist Party of Iran in Kurdistan. By this time all the liberated areas were retaken by the regime. 

 

However, during the early 80’s there was a secret arms deal between the IR and the Reagan administration, for which several meetings took place in Iran. This deal was soon exposed and created a scandal for both parties. But this deal also exposed the fact that the tension was not a deep-rooted political-ideological difference, but more a scam on both parts for political goals. For IR, it helped to subdue and suppress the society under the guise of war with the big imperialist power, or as Khomeini called it “the big Satan” and for the US it was to create an external political-ideological enemy to boost nationalism and right wing tendencies.

 

The second phase began after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Cold War. In search for a New World Order, Islamic movement and its main leader at the time i.e. IR came to replace the Eastern Block. The Western powers unified against a new enemy, a new “threat”. Soon the world events showed that all the propaganda around a free world were empty words. 

 

The tension between the two worlds or the two poles heightened after the bombing of the twin towers in New York, the war on Afghanistan and later the war on Iraq in 2003. (For a critical analysis of this relationship refer to Mansoor Hekmat’s writings about the two poles of terrorism, 2001. www.hekmat.public-archive.net) 

 

Therefore, as the West under the leadership of the US has orchestrated a verbal and ideological attack against the Islamic Regime, it has always made sure “to hold its hand as not to collapse.” These two forces needed each other to survive the new world, to suppress internal opposition, to defend the world capitalist system. They helped each other while they were attacking each other.

 

Going back to 40 years ago, one should remember that the IR owes its birth and power to the West; it was the West under the leadership of the US that brought the Islamic Regime to Iran to power in order to suppress a revolution that was determined to topple the monarchy, dictatorship, inequality and poverty in Iran; a regime that was called the gendarme of the west in the region. If at the time people regarded our theory as conspiracy theory, now after the publication of all the secret documents it has become clear that in order to stop the left and the communists to gain power in Iran, especially at the time of the cold war, Berzhinisky and Carter implemented the thesis of creating a green belt (green the symbol of the Islamic movement.) This so-called roadmap has come to a complete fruition after the uprisings in the region in 2010-11 resulting in the total ruin of the region. 

 

Coming to the third part of the question one must say that there are both a war of words and underlying tension. The US/West will try to stop the rise of the left and communism in Iran with all its means. Historically it organised a coup d’état in 1953 in a time of political turbulence to reinstate the Shah; then in 1979 brought the Islamists to Iran to crush a revolution. All throughout the life of the IR it has supported a so-called reformist faction of the regime, which was formed to rescue the regime from people’s protests and desire to topple the regime. 

 

Now that the whole country is risen to get rid of this regime, the worker’s movement has grown both in size and political maturity, calling for workers’ councils, the left radicalism in the society has come to the fore, the West is not going to risk attacking the IR unless they are sure they can replace it with another reactionary rightwing regime, that is a “regime change.” During the past one and a half year of political protests the US has tested the water many times, gave a wide platform to the supporters of the old regime, preparing for a regime change. However, it seems it has realised the rightwing political groups do not have much chance in Iran, at least at present. The repeat of the 1979 seems very difficult, if not unlikely. 

 

Do the right wing pro-west opposition forces to the Islamic regime have any chance of taking power in Iran? Who are they?

 

A.M- On their own, no; But with the total support of the West they have a chance. Iranian society is very different to those of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria or Egypt, those countries that the West have either ruined or managed to impose a tougher grip on the people, the case of Egypt. Since the revolution of the 1979 communism has been a real force in the country. Even the bloody clamp down of the 80’s did not succeed to uproot it.

 

 As it was mentioned above in 1983 in the midst of the bloody suppression, in a very dark era, a Communist party was launched in the liberated area of Kurdistan. In 1991 after the first war on Iraq which gave a boost to Kurdish nationalism in Iraq and subsequently in Iran, the Worker-communist party was launched by Mansoor Hekmat that in the first 10 years of its existence became the largest revolutionary communist party if not in the world, definitely in the region; a real threat to the regime and capitalist order. It became well-known in the society for its militant activities against the regime abroad, through its shortwave radio and last but not least the theoretical and political works of its leader, Mansoor Hekmat.

 

Moreover, Iranian working class has grown both in terms of number and political awareness and maturity. In 1979, the Iranian working class was young and composed mainly of peasant migrants to the urban areas. Now they are mainly urban, modern and well-educated. The recent uprising brought to the fore the radicalism, militancy and class-awareness of the working class. In the midst of full scale workers’ protests the demand for creation of workers’ councils and introduction of workers control was proposed by a young worker leader of the Haft-Tape sugarcane plant, Esmaeil Bakshi, and soon it found echo in many parts of the society. The call for a council movement did not remain limited to the factories or workplaces but the whole society.  

 

A defeated revolution and the cause of its defeat, continuation of communist political and theoretical activism despite a brutal clamp down, the realisation by the people at large of the state’s hypocrisy in its war against imperialism, the experience of a religious state, they have all contributed to the political maturity and sophistication of the society. The society has become polarised politically and in terms of class. It is not easy to subdue such a society and dupe it to accept another rightwing political alternative; particularly the pro old regime tendencies. However, if a war breaks out people might be forced to accept such a regime as a way of putting a stop to the war.

 

Generally speaking there were three main socio-political movements in Iran which Mansoor Hekmat classified them as pro-Western nationalists, state-reformists and Worker-communists (not the party but a social movement). By the escalation of political uprising in the country and the loss of hope for IR’s survival a large section of the state-reformists have shifted to the side of pro-Western nationalists, which basically want to revive the old regime; not necessarily a monarchy, but same political system, i.e. a capitalist system integrated in the international political economy. At the moment eyes are set on Reza Pahlavi the Shah’s son. But the harder they try the less success they find among the large sections of the society.

 

Does any attack from US against Islamic regime strengthen or weaken the struggle of people in Iran for a better world?

 

A.M- are definitely against the war. The people will be the main and first victims of such a war. It would create what we call a dark scenario; similar to Syria or Iraq. But of course, we have to prepare for such eventuality. Therefore it is important to organise the people and prepare them for it. 

 

Worker-communist party - Hekmatist too is striving to overthrow the Islamic Republic. What differentiates our efforts to those of other opposition forces?

 

A.M- We have always struggled to topple the regime but we work at the same time for a worker’s revolution, a revolution which brings an end to capitalism and creates a socialist republic. We have a programme, A Better World that outlines our goals, aims, demands and our differences with other leftist parties. We have always promoted a council movement and a general assembly movement among the working class. In a country under the grip of dictatorship, organising becomes incredibly difficult and dangerous for the workers; therefore, promoting the idea of creating a movement of general assemblies become vital, where all workers can participate, take part and not put their activists in the line of fire. These are mainly out differences with other parties and tendencies both on the right and the left. 

 

Assange’s Arrest Must Be Categorically Condemned!

 

May 2019

The arrest of Julian Assange was a blow to the right of political refugees to a safe and secure life in the host country, and basically in the Western countries; a clear violation of freedom of expression and journalism and freedom of information.  A secret deal between  the UK, the US and Ecuador governments led to revoking of Assange refugee status and subsequently his arrest at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Assange’s freedom and safety was taken away in a $10 million deal, of which 4.2 million was paid to Ecuador by the IMF the day after his arrest. The main fear is extradition of Assange to the US, which Britain has openly stated is part of the deal. This is outrageous and must be protested by all freedom-loving citizens of the world.

This act if not revoked will create a precedence that threatens the safety and security of all political refugees who are openly engaged in political activities against the country from which they have fled or any other country for that matter. This act will also lead to more censorship and cover ups of Western states’ violation of basic human rights, war crimes, corruption, and miscarriages of justice.

What is Assange’s crime?

He is accused of publishing American “confidential documents.” In order to recognise the real issue behind this wide and vague accusation, one must de-mystify the word “confidential”. Which documents did Assange and Wikileaks expose? The documents for which Assange has been arrested are all cover ups of US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq and violation of basic rights of Afghani and Iraqi citizens; documents which Chelsea Manning, American soldier had discovered and given to Wikileaks, so that the world finds out about brutal violation of human rights and war crimes committed by the US army. Manning was imprisoned in 2010, was convicted of espionage in 2011 and kept in solitary confinement until 2017 when his mental health had seriously deteriorated and was finally freed by Obama’s decree. It should be mentioned that the US federal police has arrested Manning again at the beginning of March, when the conspiratorial deal regarding Assange was being finalised. 

The fact of the matter is that US and UK with silent approval of the EU/NATO intend to make an example of Assange and Manning. So, no one would dare to expose crimes committed by these states. They are openly de-franchising their citizens from state information; the right of citizens to information will soon be something of the past. War crimes are crimes to be punished not covered up. But apparently only certain war crimes are worthy of punishments! The crimes committed by rival states (e.g. ex-Yugoslavia) and some African governments (e.g. some rebel leaders who are being or have been tried in The Hague)! 

The real criminals are not Assange and Manning, but first and foremost George Bush and Tony Blair and top army officers of both countries who have committed outrageous crimes against ordinary citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan, imprisoned, tortured and killed many.

It’s of utmost importance to protest this outrageous violation of political refugee rights, freedom of expression, and the right to expose crimes committed by states: We are already living in a world that states control all personal information of ordinary citizens, no privacy exists for ordinary citizens, whilst the cover ups and secrecy by states are continually increasing, all under the disguise of threat of terrorism. However, what UK, Ecuador and US have carried out is simply an act of hostage taking and terrorism. 

 

 

Nasrin Sotoude vs Esmaeil Bakhshi

Western campaigns to free political prisoners in Iran

Azar Majedi

Amnesty International is running a prominent campaign to free Nasrin Sotoude, an Iranian female lawyer imprisoned by the Islamic Regime; The French parliament all rise to honour her. This is all good, if they also did the same for the working-class leaders. Why this discrimination? Is it accidental or politically and ideologically motivated?

We, Worker-communists have always defended unconditional freedom of expression; we have clearly declared that we are fighting for a society in which there are no political prisoners. Therefore, we struggle to free all political prisoners from any political allegiances. We condemn the imprisonment of anybody for expressing their views or believes or working for a political change. Having said that, we must question the activities of the Western governments or “respectable” non-governmental organisations for their preferences and activities. 

Nasrin Sotoude is a so-called moderate activist; she has always defended the so-called “reformist” faction of the Islamic regime; she has actively campaigned for Rohani’s presidency. When asked recently by BBC Persian service what should be done with the Islamic regime? She responded: leniency or moderate actions. In the early days of the ongoing mass protests, she, with some other “reformist” activists, including some of the previous top leaders of the Islamic regime who have been deeply involved in heinous crush of the leftist political organisations, torture and execution of opposition activists of the 80’s, demanded a political referendum to decide about the future of the country. This appeal was ridiculed by the left opposition and ignored by the protest movement in Iran.

At the time that the US openly and the EU secretly are seeking “regime change” in Iran, the actions of the Western governments and organisations, such as, Amnesty International express a very clear political message. The question is why doesn’t Amnesty International run a campaign for working-class leaders who are imprisoned and tortured daily, the most prominent one Esmaeil Bakhshi, the leader of the Sugar Cane plant, who openly fought to create workers’ councils and promoted workers’ control? Why doesn’t the French parliament rise to honour this popular and respected working-class leader? Workers, teachers, pensioners, students in Iran all protested for his freedom; openly condemned his imprisonment and harassments by the regime. If one only listens to the demands of the majority of the people in Iran, then it’s Bakhshi and not Sotoude who should find prominence in our promotion efforts.

The answer is clear; The Western governments have a clear and open agenda. They are crushing their own workers’ movement for improving worker’s conditions and wages. The French ruling class has been enacting the most oppressive laws against the working people and has brutally crushed any protests opposing these oppressive laws. For them, imprisonment of a working-class leader is a condoned act. They would do it, too. They cannot even pretend they are against imprisonment of the working class and the leftist activists and leaders. This is against everything they stand for. 

This political agenda is what we oppose to and condemn. The intentions for the Western governments and mainstream media and pundits must be exposed. The people of Iran were once duped 40 years ago by the same governments; the revolution of 1979 was brutally defeated by these states, imposing an Islamic movement in Iran. People have been paying by their lives for that huge conspiracy. The Iranian society is very much polarised; the youth are politically mature and sophisticated. It is not easy to impose another “regime change” in Iran. People are fighting with nail and tooth, but they have had no success, yet. The International working-class movement, leftist and communists, the freedom-loving people must defend the working-class movement in Iran. They should read between the lines of the mainstream media and pundits. Lines that constantly broadcast “fake” narrations of the events and political developments in Iran.

names of the prisoners;

Political prisoners in Iran. From left to right: Nasrin Sotoudeh, Lawyer activist; Sepideh Ghalyan, Worker activist; Ali Nejati, retired Haftapeh worker; Esmaeil Bakhshi, leader of Haftapeh workers’s strike

The Rich have lost sleep over the Poor’s Uprising!

From the billionaire to the EU Parliament!

What’s unfair?

 John Rupert, The head of many luxury brands, such as, Cartier, Montblanc and Chloe, a billionaire, told the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit in Monaco on Monday 4^th of November, that he’s lost sleep at night worrying about the destabilised world due to “envy, hatred and social welfare.” He warned the Summit of the rich that “we’re in for a huge change in society… Get used to it. And be prepared.”

John Rupert is worth $7.5 billion; He’s just come back from a year-long fly-fishing sabbatical to a world of uprisings; From Latin America to the Middle East, Asia to Europe the poor, the downtrodden, the disfranchised have taken over the streets demanding a fair society, equality and freedom; they’re angry at poverty, unemployment, lack of rights and the great disparity and unfairness dominating the world; They are serious and mean business; They want to overthrow the existing system and governments. 

Rupert also calls the present system “unfair” but for a different reason. He states that “we’re destroying the middle classes at this stage and it will affect us. It’s unfair.” He admits that he’s mainly worried that the middle classes cannot afford buying his luxury goods anymore; He’s anxious he might go bankrupt! And therefore, he finds it unfair. 

However, the argument about destroying the middle classes as a main economic problem facing the world today is not new. Most left of the centre pundits, ideologues and politicians are using the same argument to shield the real cause of people’s misery, anger and protest; i.e. capitalism. It is capitalism that accumulates wealth for a few on one side and poverty for the workers and working people on the other. And with each economic crisis this inequality intensifies. The gap between the rich and the poor has grown and is growing enormously during the past decade. This is the logic of capitalism; an inevitable product of a system that is based on profit-making and exploitation. 

The situation is so extreme and grotesque that even the billionaire is complaining: “We cannot have 0.1 percent of 0.1 percent taking all the spoils.”

Trump and the “spectre of Socialism”!

It is this dire situation that has led Trump to borrow from the Communist Manifesto, warning the leaders of the world governments in UNGA, “the spectre of Socialism” is one of the most “serious challenges facing the nations.” He, further, presents straight lies and “fake” information to discredit communism, saying “socialism and communism have killed 100 million people in the last century.” One is tempted to say “Look! Who’s talking?”

Falsifying history is no answer!

Most likely, the EU parliament’s bizarre “Remembrance” resolution of 19 September, equating the Nazi Fascism and communist ideologies had emboldened Trump to make such a ludicrous statement. The EUP resolution in a masterfully perfect language rewrites the history; claiming that “the Nazi and communist regimes carried out mass murders, genocide and deportations and caused a loss of life and freedom in the 20th century on a scale unseen in human history”. 

There are two not so minor errors here! First, the resolution interchangeably uses communism and Stalinism as the same concept; a supposedly official historic document overlooks the facts and truth; ignoring the hard facts of history so close that could not have been forgotten; totally overlooking the crimes, genocides and deportations which took place under Western capitalist states. It rewrites the history again when it claims that the pact signed between Hitler and Stalin was the immediate cause of WWII break out.*

The Soviet Union under Stalin had nothing in common with socialism or communism but the name. However, there is a deliberate and malicious attempt to discredit communism when it has risen in popularity among the youth; therefore demonising the left and the working class activists at the time when discontentment and anger at inequalities and poverty and protest movements are in the rise. 

From the cries of the anxious billionaire to the ravings of Trump and blatant lies of the EU one discerns a scared ruling class that’s been seriously threatened by the angry, militant and frustrated people, who are not willing to be subdued and pushed around anymore. Real fear of the prospect of revolutions and the “spectre of Communism” has sent shivers down their spines. Yes, Marx was right when he said “the world is upside down, it is time to turn it and put it on its base.” Yes, the Communist Manifesto was right when stated the "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles." “Throughout history we see the oppressor and oppressed in constant opposition to each other. This fight is sometimes hidden and sometimes open;” the continuous class struggle that it bounds to turn into a class war. We’re going down this road.

 

*Below there are few brief historical facts which clearly exposes the EUP resolution for falsifying the history. 

For example, the European parliament made no mention of the following:

1). The four-party agreement of 15 July 1933, signed by Britain, France, Germany and Italy which lit the green light for Hitler to embark on an armaments programme.

2). The recognition and support of General Franco’s fascist government in Spain by France and Britain in February 1939.

3). The Munich Agreement signed on September 30, 1938 by Germany, France, Italy and Britain, which broke up Czechoslovakia that was under the occupation of the Nazi army, although some of its territory was taken over by Poland and Hungary.

4). The imposition of the fascist dictatorship in Greece by the CIA in April 1967, with the support of Nato countries. This is of particular importance, not only for us but also for the EU, as this dictatorship resulted in the de facto partition of Cyprus, an EU member.

George Koumoullis, Cyprus Mail Oct 6, 2019

 

 

The world is in turmoil

Interview with Azar Majedi

 

Protests, strikes, demonstrations and activism are every day events. Why? 

Wars, killings, torture, executions, state and Islamic terrorism are also every day events. Why? 

 

Unemployment, poverty, wage slavery, slavery, peoples’ displacement, immigrants drowning while crossing sees, homelessness, gender inequality, domestic violence, child cruelty and millions of other miseries are also every day events. Or better said realities. Why? 

 

In this issue we are highlighting the situation in Iraq, Chile and Lebanon which touches on the above questions. One thing people of different countries have in common i.e. suppression of their rights and lives which is countered by resistance and protests. 

 

 

Iraq

1- The recent protests in Iraq have been suppressed by the Iraqi government. Hundreds dead and thousands injured. What instigated these protests? 

 

AM: Unemployment, poverty, extreme inequality, large-scale corruption and destitute; young people have no hope; they see no future. This is the generation that have grown up in war, ruin, and in a society that has practically been dismantled by the brutal attacks of the US and the UK in 2003. During the past 16 years Iraqi society has been pushed back a century. The most corrupt sections of the society have risen to power by the state and Islamic terrorism. 

 

Sectarianism has taken over the society and created a constant war and intensified terrorism and corruption. Indeed sectarianism is being targeted by protesters. Slogans demanding an end to a sectarian political structure; and banners stating that they regard themselves as neither Shia, Sunni, Christian, Arab nor Kurd have been held by the protesters. Rightfully, the youth is deeply angry. Their lives and youth have been ruined by a brutal war and there seems no end to it.

 

Protesters are demanding the overthrow of the political system and the government; They are also demanding the end to the mingling of the Islamic Regime of Iran (IR) in their lives and country. Their anger has equally targeted the Iraqi government and the IR. After the 2003 war, IR created a stronghold in Iraq, both in Kurdistan and in the larger society. As a matter of fact Hashd’ ol Shabi, IR’s mercenary militia has been very active in suppressing the protests and then shooting the protesters. 

 

2- It is clear that the original demands of the people for jobs, housing and protesting against corruption has led to a wider wave of protest against the entirety of the Iraqi government. Are we witnessing an uprising?

 

AM: Yes, I believe this is an uprising; People have risen to dismantle, to overthrow the regime. This is their main demand. They have refused to give up. Despite brutal suppression and clamp down by the government and IR’s mercenaries which has resulted in many deaths and serious injuries, people are continuing their struggle. The situation brings to mind Marx’s words: they “have nothing to lose but their chains.”

 

Observing the political situation and protest movement from afar and language barrier are hindrance to a more precise political analysis; however, referring to communist activists’ observations one can definitely conclude that we are facing an uprising that has taken over most of the country. I’d like to refer to Yanar Muhammad’s interview with Democracy Now for more detailed information and a clearer narration of the events. Yanar is the spokesperson of the Organisation for Women’s Freedom and a leading member of the Communist Alternative.  

 

3- How do you see the balance of power within the Iraqi government and that of the people? How can the people withstand the external influence of the Western governments and that of the Islamic Republic of Iran? 

 

AM: The government has no real popular base, and people are protesting en masse. However, the government is armed with the most deadly weapons and has the support of both poles of terrorism, state and Islamic. In other words, the government is militarily strong but with no political, economic or ideological stronghold. People, on the other hand, enjoy a great deal of solidarity and unity; Now the oil and gas workers of Basra have joined the movement by going on strike; they seem to have managed to create grassroots organisations, at least in Bagdad and perhaps Basra, Najaf and Karbala. These are two important columns of a popular uprising; however, the lack of a revolutionary communist party can prove detrimental. Having said that, we know from theory and our own experience in Iran in 1979, that revolutionary communists grow rapidly in numbers and theoretical and organisational strength during a revolutionary period. This is what we should hope for and try to aid in this dire and exciting time. 

 

Chile

1- Streets of Santiago are full of protestors. More than a million people marched in Santiago on 25 October against inequality. Some of their slogans are “Chile has woken up” and “Better times!” What are they woken up to? 

 

AM: People of Chile like most countries in the world have suffered decades of oppression, poverty, inequality, injustice, imprisonment and torture in the hands of the ruling class and the bourgeoisie. But Chile has a recent history of strong leftist sentiments and activism, the very reason for a CIA organised coup d’état 46 years ago. A bloody period that is alive in the memories of not only the Chilean people but the world. The current state is the same in every aspects except the name as the Pinochet’s military government. It is no coincidence that the minister of internal affairs was a close aid of Pinochet.   

 

Inequality and economic disparity have vastly grown in Chile like the rest of the world. People are basically poor, while a small minority, including the president who is a billionaire, are enjoying grotesque privileges and have witnessed their wealth amass incredibly. In this sense the economic situation in Chile is very similar to the rest of the world.  It is the political climate that has led to the recent protest movement. But again we are witnessing mass protest movements in many countries, Iraq, Lebanon, Haiti, Bolivia, Colombia; Brazil is going through a great upheaval; France has been dominated by continuous protests for the past year. On the face of it, what triggered the protest movement was a few cents increase in the price of metro tickets. 

 

This is so intriguing about mass protests or uprisings, one day you wake up and you realise that large number of people have taken to the streets over what seems to be not so significant. This is the dynamism of uprisings, when underneath the social events and relations a political climate is simmering and one day is ready to erupt. It seems that the moment has come in Chile.

 

2- The protestors have the support of the wider community. Even medical students have left their lecture theatres to help the injured in the streets. Do you think the current protests will develop into a mass struggle supported by the working class? 

 

AM: I believe that they do have the support and sympathy of the working class as the economic situation is really tough and workers’ laws are suppressive; however, if you mean workers’ mass strikes? If the movement continues a little longer, I believe that will happen. It is bound to happen. Interestingly enough, Last week 2 young female MPs who are described as communists have tabled a resolution to reduce the working week hours from 45 to 40. After taking back the metro fare rise and dismissing the whole cabinet by the president, this is the most important piece of reform that has resulted from weeks of protests. This says something about the class and social structure of the protest movement.

 

3- Does the apology of the president Sebastian Pinera and his promise for higher wages and increase in pensions etc mean anything? Do you think this is a ploy to silence the protestors? 

 

AM: These are the same tactics that any government pressurised by popular protest adopts. We’ve seen it so many times. But as soon as streets are quiet again and people have lost their momentum they reintroduce the same measures. It must be said that it is too little and too late. I don’t think people will stop at these dismal measures. The heavy-handed clamp down by the security forces, especially in the first two weeks, is too characteristic and important to let go. I believe people demand his downfall; we have to wait and see.

 

Lebanon

1- Anti-government protests have also been ripe in Lebanon during October. It led to the resignation of the prime minister, Saad Hariri. Do you see this as a victory for the people in Lebanon? 

 

AM: It is definitely encouraging, but victory? I don’t think so. He is just a piece in the reactionary and corrupt ruling class. The government has also backed down on the measure that triggered the movement, levying fees on WhatsApp usage; It also promised to halve the salaries of government officials and members of the parliament and give some financial aid to the poor. None of these have quelled the anger, determination and the momentum of the protests; instead they only emboldened the people and strengthened their movement. It seems that the protesters know clearly what they want and are not prepared to give up. From day one they have demanded an end to the sectarian political structure, which has torn the society apart and created a breeding ground for sectarian violence, precarious political climate, economic misery and hardship and corruption.

 

2- There are reports that more than 200 people have been killed in the recent protests. How do you see the strength of the protest movement to combat such savagery? 

 

AM: This is the case with all the other societies under political upheavals; in this respect Lebanon is not any different; actually Lebanon in comparison with Iraq and Chile has suffered less brutality and violence; So far, we have been witnessing a calmer situation in Lebanon; We have also seen many pictures of one to one fights between the protestors and the security forces. 

 

3- Lebanon has always been a centre for different political movements and factions to play a part in the country’s political situation and suppression of people. How do you see the role of the Hezbollah forces in the recent protests? 

 

AM: As mentioned above, Lebanon has been known for its sectarian political structure for decades. For years ethnic nationalist organisations in the region, e.g. the nationalist Kurdish groups in Iran have used Lebanon as a great example of sectarian division of the country; they have heralded Lebanon as the example of democracy with respect for ethnic tensions. We, Worker-communists have always condemned this structure as reactionary and contrary to egalitarian principles and  people’s equal rights or a just solution for national oppression.  

 

Hezbollah is the child of the IR; It is as brutal and reactionary as the IR. For some time it enjoyed a degree of popularity among sections of the population; the main reason being its hostile attitude to the state of Israel. It enjoys vast sum of financial help from the IR and is armed to teeth by it. However, people’s hostility towards Hezbollah and its leader Nassrollah during the protests tells a different story now. Many protestors have set fire to the headquarter of Ammal, a similar religious terrorist organisations; They demanded the abolition of these organisations; Young women have belly danced in front of Hezbollah’s headquarter, a vivid protest at this backward misogynist Islamic army. This is to say:”go to hell.”

 

Nassrollah first disagreed with Hariri’s resignation, and then approved it. He made a quick trip to Iran to get advice from his leaders and after coming back tried to strike a note with the protestors; all in vain; all signs of desperation. People face a great challenge vis a vis of such brutes and in regional context. As the fear of civil war has always been invoked in time of political trouble by the ruling class since the seventies. No one says it’s easy. It is a very challenging and difficult time.

 

Finally: 

Can you answer the “whys” of the introduction to this interview? What is the solution? 

 

AM: A worker’s revolution is the real answer to all the problems and demands which led people of many countries to rise and try to take matters in their own hands. I am aware that this answer is no longer fashionable and it might sound like an old cliché to the ears of many. Nevertheless, if we even disregard hard theoretical analyses and facts, we cannot disregard our recent history and experiences. Anything short of a workers revolution which overthrows not only the existing ruling class, but also capitalism; it abolishes wage-labour and private property and creates a council based government will result in too few reforms which are short-lived. We don’t need to look too long back, a quick look at the world since the sixties, if nothing else has one important and basic lesson: reforms made by large socio-political movements are easily taken back. Being content with the left of the bourgeoisie will lead to total disillusionment and bitterness. Moreover, it is a known fact now that the era of social-democracy is long gone.   

 

However, preparing for a worker’s revolution calls for great work, determination, theoretical and practical knowledge and a revolutionary outlook. We need to build real revolutionary Worker-communist parties and movement. This is the best time for it. Revolutionary times are ripe for militancy, radicalism and a need for revolutionary theory, practice and strategy.

Solidarity with protesting people of Iraq

Messages of solidarity by Azar Majedi and Yanar Mohammed reprinted from Facebook pages of Azar

 

Dear Yanar,

I follow the news with excitement, admiration and anxiety at the same time. I wish we could get rid of both poles of terrorism, Islamic and state, and all these parasites that are ruling Iraq. If we could try to build councils, worker’s, neighbourhood, students’ …. then organising and mobilisation will be facilitated. Please take care of yourself. This movement needs you. Bon courage. 

 

Dearest Azar,

You never miss to express solidarity during our most difficult times, and I don’t want to say our darkest times. There is one positive change that we felt in the past week, that the people are in support of demonstrators, and supporting them in every way possible, and women walk within demonstrators feeling safe and well-respected. The crushing amount of oppression and detention may stop the uprising temporarily, but the quiet and calm will not last. My sincere greetings and thanks for your solidarity. 

Too little, too late

Iranian Women Caged in

at a Football Stadium

Oct 2019

Gender apartheid is an important pillar of an Islamic regime. Women in Iran, and men too, have fought hard and long to break this reactionary and outdated pillar for the past 40 years. Banning women from entering football stadiums is part of this archaic rule. Many young women have entered the stadiums in men clothes for years, one who became internationally well-known was Sahar or the “Blue Girl”, who was imprisoned and later burnt herself to death. 

When the news of Sahar’s self-immolation hit the world, there were outcries everywhere condemning IR and demanding that women be allowed to enter the stadiums, among them FIFA*, which gave an statement threatening IR that if it refused entry to women it will be banned from international matches. Finally, IR supposedly bowed down and last week assigned 3500 tickets of an 100,000 seat stadium to women. Some women rushed to buy the tickets to Iran- Cambodia football match. Amid tight security, women took their seats in an otherwise almost empty stadium in a cage looking space circled by full-veiled women security; Some 50 IR mobs protesting their entry as blasphemy. This is a mockery of women’s freedom. The mockery comes to a hight when pictures are published showing women spectators holding and waving IR flags. 

International media jubilantly published the “good” news as an important reform by the IR; FIFA proudly acknowledged the move. Some women organisations in Iran went as far as calling it “the Blue Girl’s achievement!”

Women’s Liberation a staunch enemy of the Islamic regime

Forty years ago a women’s liberation movement was born and never stopped fighting the IR. Many women have lost their lives, been imprisoned, and stoned to death by this regime for demanding their equal rights and freedom. Around two decades ago a so-called reformist movement, one which we Worker-communists have called state-reformist, was formed to deviate this movement from its radical path. State-reformists, i.e. the national-Islamist movement tried hard to create stumbling blocks in its path. They are quite savvy; they started a so-called Islamic-feminist movement in Iran. They exported their pundits around the world and bought some time-servers in the media and academia to herald a new era in the Islamic movement; an era of women’s movement among the Islamists. This oxymoronic term might sound a great innovation to some; but, in fact, it was a laughable invention by the Islamic Regime’s ideologues. This movement was short-lived as the radical, maximalist women liberation movement ruthlessly exposed it.

Soon after, another discourse was introduced by the media and academia: Cultural Relativism. In the era of post-modernism, this savvy invention became the dominant discourse for nearly two decades; a real regress to all human values and ideals for which humanity has fought long and hard. “Islamophobia” was added to the list of the Islamic ideologues’ inventions, taking hostage the conscious of decent and egalitarian humanity. Again, we fought hard to expose “cultural relativism” for what it was: a reactionary and oppressive term, under which abuses and violations of women’s rights, children’s rights and egalitarian values took place.

However, IR and the Islamic movement which it created and spread worldwide did not stop creating false narrations and discourses. Defending Islamic regime by its paid pundits, both national and international, have tried to give false narratives of the demands of the people in Iran and falsifying the image and demands of the radical socio-political movements. 

Trivialising the vast movement in Iran against gender apartheid and the Islamic veil is a recurrent theme in the international media. The BBC and Voice of America Persian are dominated by the exported IR’s pundits; they have become the mouthpiece of IR, spreading State-reformist propaganda, trying to make this narration the dominant one in Iran.  

Now, coming back to the so-called reform of the opening the stadiums to women; it is in this general political context that the latest move by the IR should be analysed and judged. Moreover, one must consider the general political situation in Iran. It is nearly two years that a popular movement to overthrow the Islamic regime has taken over the society; the popular uprising that regardless of its brutal suppression by the regime and its ups and downs has refused to give in; and more importantly the rise of the working class movement demanding a free, equal and prosperous society for all has become a dominant force; a movement that has given a clear voice to an egalitarian demand, that is, to rule the society by workers’ and people’s councils.

IR’s latest action is a desperate move to quell the popular unrest and the women’s liberation movement; this action is similar to the throwing a piece of bread in the face of a revolting people demanding an end to hunger and destitute. It must be stated that we are for any reform to improve people’s lives and struggle to that end. However, this is not a real reform but a total farce, an act that is too little and has come too late. This is why we condemn all those exported pundits who herald this action as a victory. Those who have become so self-righteous that try to teach us a lesson in freedom of speech by tweeting that the right of expression by the IR’s mob in front of the stadium should be respected!** Alas! As though we freedom-loving and progressive forces who have been imprisoned, tortured and murdered by this regime have been preventing the freedom of expression! We do live in an upside down world and we must, as Marx so beautifully said, turn it on its base.

We ask all freedom-loving and egalitarian people to be vigilant and refuse to accept these false narrations. Women in Iran want and deserve complete and unconditional freedom and equality. We will not stop at anything less. Support us to overthrow this regime and in its place create a better world, a world free of any inequality which respects unconditional freedom of speech and expression; a free, equal and prosperous society for all. 

 

 

* It is worth mentioning that in the campaign to open the stadiums to women; a petition was written to FIFA and was signed by some progressive activists asking FIFA to take action against the Islamic regime to put an end to the ban. FIFA is one of the most reactionary and corrupt institutions of the present world. The story of its corruption, taking huge bribes is a well-known fact; moreover, many migrant workers who work under slave conditions to build the world cup stadium in Qatar have fallen to their death and FIFA has turned a blind eye to this brutal and inhumane catastrophe. Progressive movements should never resort to a reactionary institution which is part and parcel of the dominant system for help in their struggle.  

**An exported pundit who works for the BBC Persian who gets double wages from IR and Britain.  

Iran: The tide has changed

The harsh Sentences against Haft Tapeh Activists and its Backlash

 

Sept 2019a

The so-called judge of the Haft Tapeh activists trial, Moqiseh, who was one of the responsible figures of mass murder of the communist and opposition activists of the 80s, have issued prison sentences between 14-18 years and whipping for the 6 worker activists in Haft Tapeh case. These outrageous sentences enraged the society, so much so that the head of “justice” system immediately made an announcement that the sentences must be reviewed and reduced.

Iran has been in a de-facto uprising since January 2017, when more than 100 towns and cities witnessed anti-government demonstrations with radical anti-regime slogans, such as, “we don’t want Islamic Republic” “death to Khamenei” “death to Rohani” “reformists and hardliners the story is over!” The government tried to quell the unrest by arresting and murdering some of the arrestees under torture.

However, the rise of the working class protest changed the scene. Two important protests by Haft Tapeh sugarcane and Ahvaz steel plants, the last episodes of which took one month, involved workers’ families and mobilised the city behind the workers left a deep and huge impact on the society as a whole. Esmaeil Bakhshi, a leader of the Haft Tapeh workers called workers to create their councils and demanded that the society be run by people’s councils. 

It took a few months before the regime succeeded in pushing back the protest movement in these plants and arresting worker activists. Less than a year after the second arrest of Bakshi and some worker activists, Sepideh Qolyan, Sanaz Alah-yari, Amir Hossein Mohammadi fard, Amir Amir qoli and Asal Mohammadi, when the regime became confident that it has suppressed the protest movement, a short so-called trial took place, Bakhshi bravely stood up against Moqeieh, and told him that he would not tolerate humiliation of Haft Tapeh workers or his lawyer. In response to Bakhshi’s indignant reply Moqeise openly said that workers’ slogan was a communist one. The trial abruptly came to an end and a month later these harsh sentences were announced. In a separate trial Mohammad Khonifar a delegate of Haft Tapeh workers was sentence to 6 years of imprisonment and whipping. He has also exposed the corrupt dealings between 2 so-called workers’ delegates in Islamic council and the owner of the plant.

However, the Islamic regime was deeply mistaken, thinking that it has defeated the protest movement. The reaction to these sentences was so angry that immediately the head of “justice” system had to intervene.  The tide has irreversibly changed. The downfall of this brutal regime is in sight.

Interview with Azar Majedi 

 

Overthrowing the regime?

Organising a socialist revolution in Iran?

Not easy, but not impossible!

 

The political situation in Iran is eventful. How do you define this situation from the point of view of the regime and that of the working class?

 

AM: Islamic Regime (IR) from the outset was opposed by the left and the communists, by section of the working class and by many women who saw their minimal rights to be eroded. It only took two and half years from its coming to power that the opposition grew and the regime gathered its power to attack the society and start a campaign of mass murder either in prisons or by military attack on Kurdistan and fighting with the armed partisans, a large section of them being communist; IR organised a coup d’état like assault in June 1981, rounded up people on the street and raided their homes; around hundred thousand people, including children died either by execution or under torture in the 80s.   

 

Thereafter there have been protest movements taking place every decade, 1999, 2009 and the latest beginning in December 2017. The difference this time is that after more than two years, the protest movement not only hasn’t been defeated and set back, but it has escalated and radicalised. Understandably, there has been ups and downs, some quieter and some very vibrant periods. However, the important characteristic of this round is that it is ongoing. Even the regime, which is a savvy propagandist, quite skilled in face saving and spreading lies, has not been able to declare the end of the uprising.

Another important aspect of this movement is the rise of the working class and its leaders. Hundreds of workers’ strikes, sit-ins, marches, and protest by blocking roads have taken place in the past two years. The height of workers movement was the strike in Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane factory and steel plant both in the south of the country which manifested a great deal of courage, militancy and radicalism; calling for creation of councils to run not only work- places but also the society by Esmaeil Bakhshi and clearly  targeting capitalism and the capitalist state.

 

Councils are not a new phenomenon in Workers’ movement in Iran. In the first years after the revolution, workers in some plants and factories created their councils based on general assemblies, but these councils were brutally crushed and their leaders and activists imprisoned and some executed. However, calling for creation of councils by a workers’ leader, in this manner; especially the demand for running the factories and the society at large, is a new phenomenon. This showed a deep political and class polarisation of the society.  

 

The regime arrested Bakshi and some other workers’ activists, subjected them to brutal tortures; under pressure from the people it freed him and some others, only to re-arrest them. The brutal clamp down of the security forces on the workers and arresting their leaders has definitely had a negative impact on workers’ struggle; but has not quashed it. Every day there are strikes and protests.

 

Poverty is the most important issue in the society; a great majority of the populace live under the poverty line; most workers have not been paid for months or even a year; closing down of factories and large layoffs are quite commonplace. Demanding delayed wages, fighting dismissals and to keep the workplace running are the key demands of the workers’ struggle.  Even though the demands are of a defensive character the manner of protest is not.

Workers in Iran have been engaging in a remarkable and brave protest movement against poverty and low wages; also for the freedom of political prisoners. This has been going on all the time. However the last 2 years has seen a surge in the protest movement. Why do you think this movement is not succeeding? What are the obstacles?

AM: IR is in a deep economic, political and social crisis. Even If it wanted to respond to workers’ demands it could not. This regime due to its political and ideological characteristics was from the outset incapable of integrating in the world capitalist economy and its birth was intertwined with crisis. Having said that in the past 41 years this crisis has deepened daily; moreover, it is comprised of vultures that have plundered the country; the amount of embezzlement and exporting funds from the country abroad is huge. Spending big sums of money on nuclear development, arms and running a terrorist war in the region is another reason for lack of funds. Since the beginning of the uprising the rate of inflation and exchange rate has gone up enormously. Of course the sanctions do not help. Money laundering and efforts to bypass the sanctions have meant a great deal of money has been stolen by economic mafia. Most public funds, e.g. social security fund have been plundered by government top officials, who are all part of the big IR family. Therefore, for workers to reach their demands and fight poverty they need to topple the regime. IR is incapable of making any reforms or bow down to workers’ demands. To topple the regime something that the majority want and strive for is not an easy task.

 

The West under the leadership of the US wants and tries to implement a regime- change, but it has not succeeded. The workers and toiling masses need a political alternative. We need a strong Worker-communist party to lead the workers through a revolution. At the moment masses don’t want the regime and want to topple it but they are not strong enough or organised enough to do so. Therefore, the struggle goes on. 

 

41 years has passed since the 1979 uprising against the Shah’s regime. How would you summarise what happened and where the society is going? Lessons, experiences, gains, defeats. What went wrong? What is your call to the people about the coming so called general elections for the “parliament”?

AM: 41 years ago, Iran went through a great political uprising which led to overthrow of the monarchy and the Shah had to flee the country. But this uprising/revolution was skilfully managed by the West under the US leadership. The word regime-change was not part of the political dictionary at the time; it came to existence at the time of George Bush junior and the time of attack on Iraq in 2003. However, the West, basically the US implemented a regime-change in Iran. The fear of Communism, at the time of the Cold War, made it imperative for the West to bring another reactionary faction to replace the monarchy. 

 

The “Green Belt” thesis of Carter- Berzhinesky, i.e. to use Islamists as buffer against the Soviet Union and to push back Communism was put into practice and the Islamist movement under the leadership of Khomeini were brought to foreground; they skilfully managed to turn Khomeini into a leader over a few months. The society then was much more naïve; the left not organised and basically populist. The plan worked; Khomeini and the Islamists took over and began to suppress all the opposition from day one. Two and a half years later when the opposition had gained momentum and grew in number and popularity the regime organised a blood bath. The regime, ever since has ruled by killing, torture, and silencing any voice of opposition.

 

As it was mentioned in response to question 1, there have been large protest movements at least once every decade; and each time these protests have been brutally crushed. But this last round despite all the efforts by IR to quash the movement, has been going on. This time it is different. People are not giving up; they continue. This time around, the slogans are much more radicalised. “Death to the Islamic regime” has echoed in different cities for the first time. 

 

In November 2019, a hike in petrol price triggered a wave of protest all over the country; people set fire to IR’s symbols; slogans were calling for overthrow of the regime; people took control of parts of some cities, like Shiraz. The security forces in uniform and plain clothes shot people in the head or heart from rooftops, on motorcycles and in cars. There is no exact number of casualties, however it is said that 1500 people mostly young and some children have died, around 10 thousand injured and another 10 thousand arrested. For a month after bodies were being found in lakes and dams around the country.

 

The regime was under the impression that this brutal assault would put a stop to the protest movement, be it for a period. But only two weeks later on the Student day the leftist students organised protests in almost all the universities around the country, condemning the mass killing of November uprising, the arrest of workers leaders and activists, mass poverty, and gender apartheid. This, once more showed how the society has become polarised and it also showed the determination of the people to continue their struggle to overthrow the regime. 

 

Do you think the regime uses its foreign policy and terrorist actions in order to contain the protests in Iran? How has the international and regional situation affected the suppressive machinery of the regime? Has it helped the regime to increase suppression or it has actually provided an opportunity for the working class to inflict a blow to the regime? 

 

AM: From the outset IR invested in mobilising an Islamic terrorist campaign and war in the region; trying to confiscate the Palestinian cause and propaganda against Israel; spending huge funds in arming and organising Islamist groups; winning over and strengthening Hezb o’allah in Lebanon and after the 2003 attack on Iraq it moved into Iraq and organised and mobilised so-called Shia groups such as Hashdol Shabi; and later it got deeply involved in Syria in support of Asad government and organised mass murders in Syria.

 

IR has led the Islamic terrorism not only in the region but also in other parts of the world. This so-called foreign policy has not made it more popular in Iran; on the contrary it has added fuel to people’s discontent. But it has helped the regime to rise to a position of a regional power; making the region more dangerous and chaotic;. However, the recent protest movements in Iraq and Lebanon were a great blow to IR, making it even weaker in the domestic front. IR is in deep crisis both internally and in the region. 

Do you think the protest movement in the November 2019 united people in an all out demand to overthrow the regime? What are the alternatives? Do you think the right wing opposition, so called “reformists” or even the son of Shah have any popularity or chance to gain power in Iran?

 

AM: Definitely; the public call for overthrow of the regime began two years ago. The brutal attack on people’s protests; the effort to quash this movement; the arrest of workers leaders and activists; women’s rights activists; and any opposition activists has only deepened people’s anger and hatred. The November uprising was a turning point; everyone saw it. Both the people and the regime realised that the days of this regime are numbered. As a result the state-reformist faction has shifted to the right wing opposition, i.e., the pro-West nationalists or the supporters of the previous regime.

 

The state-reformists have no popularity; people rightly consider them as part and parcel of the regime; the slogan: “reformists, hardliners, story is over” that was first echoed in Tehran two years ago has become the dominant narrative of the political climate. Regarding Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah, a great deal of money is being invested to raise him to the position of the leader of the opposition; the West is investing on him for their regime-change scenario. However, so far all these political campaigns have failed. 

 

People are much wiser and savvier this time. They are aware of the history of the previous regime change. There is also a strong left leaning and Communist movement in Iran. Mansoor Hekmat, the leader of the Working-communist movement is popular among the left in Iran. His works are read and discussed by left students, youth and workers. Therefore the regime and the right wing opposition try very hard to discredit him. One of the characteristics of the Iranian political scene is the existence of outspoken and organised Communist organisations abroad, mostly those who fled the mass killing of the 80s and sought refuge in the West. The left is very active in exposing the right wing opposition and the regime-change plan by the West.

 

Do the right wing opposition have a chance to gain power? Yes, they do. It’s all about power. They have the backing of the West and the international bourgeoisie; they have huge funding and media. In one word they have the world power and money at their disposal. If a regime-change scenario ever comes to realisation, they are the candidates. Having said that, this time around a regime-change is not easy. They have been trying for the past two years and still no success; they haven’t even come close. 

 

The ball is in our court. We Worker-communists must do our outmost to organise the working class, the toiling masses, the women’s liberation movement and all the freedom- loving and egalitarian section of the population to overthrow the regime and organise a socialist revolution. It’s not easy, but not impossible.

 

The human cost of Corona Virus in capitalism

Corona Virus and Capitalism, “Herd Immunity” or social Darwinism

 

Susan Lari interviews Azar Majedi

Member of leadership of WCP-Hekmatist Party 

22 March 2020

 

Q: The extend of the spread of Corona Virus and the number of dead as a result, are very frightening and extremely alarming. It is a very sad situation. As everybody knows, Corona Virus cases have passed 300,000 around the world, and more than 13000 deaths have occurred. There may be more. It is reported that in Italy, there were 800 deaths on just one day (Saturday), and many infected and died in Iran. People are justifiably worried. Do you think the measures implemented in the world, specially in Iran, are working? 

 

AM:  As you said it is very worrying and sad both in terms of lives and the misery people are going through. The insecurity of their lives, and if they are not dying of the virus, they might die of hunger. In Iran, the authorities are hiding all the numbers, even WHO (World Health Organisation) has reported that the numbers infected and dead are 5 times more than what the Islamic regime announces. We keep seeing videos from Iran that people are just dying and are buried collectively without their families knowing where they are. This is really horrible. When it comes to governments taking the proper measures, I have to say a strong no. They are not. They have lied to people and hidden the facts. They only mentioned it once it was spread widely. Even after that, the measures are so limited. The measures in some countries are worse than other countries. 

 

When you talk about Iran, you are seeing a regime that has no care or responsibility towards the citizens. They are a bunch of thieves and murderers who are running the country. In the Western world where there is democracy and apparently some sort of accountability by the government, the measures are not enough. Look at Britain, Sweden, Holland or US. It is horrendous and worrying. 

 

Q: What amazes everybody is quite obvious. The cruelty of capitalism has always been obvious, i.e. exploitation, misery, war and devastation. What has happened now is the fact that this epidemic has actually exposed the true nature of capitalism even more. Do you not think so?

 

AM: Exactly. In my Farsi language article for our journal (Communist), I touched on some aspects of it. I am not talking about history, something that has happened a long time ago, but just look at the past 20 years. How many people died in the Middle East and North Africa due to wars? Millions died in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Sudan etc. On top of that, many people lost their lives due to hunger and displacement. Once people decide to flee the misery and the hell they are forced to endure, they end up in the Mediterranean sea! In Libya, they are treated as slaves and sold in slave markets. People in Europe could say these people are poor, live far away somewhere else, their culture is backward, they are Muslims but we are OK. Now they can’t say that. The number of people who lost their lives to Corona Virus is nothing compared to those died because of war, hunger, lack of security and dictatorships. However, once devastation reaches Europe and you look at the universality of human being’s destiny or existence at the hands of capitalism, then capitalism is really exposed. Here in Europe they can have none of these excuses.

 

Look at the way governments are dealing with the situation. “Herd Immunity”! I think Boris Johnson was the first person who mentioned it. Angela Merkel mentioned it too. They are still saying it in Sweden and Netherlands. It is the government’s policy there without naming it. What is “Herd immunity”? It means weak people should die, then the whole society will become immune which is the price society has to pay! They look at people in terms of numbers because they have taken the flesh and humanity out of it, then they say OK everybody is safe! Who are these numbers? Who are these weak people who are going to die in the “Herd Immunity”? It is my mother, my father, my grandmother, my grandfather, my uncle, my aunt or my beautiful neighbour. When you put it this way, you can see the inhumanity in this philosophy or ideology. I call this social Darwinism. The survival of the fittest in evolution was something but when you apply that to the society in a social manner, you can see how fascism can come out of it. You are talking about the situation now, the fear and anxiety that people are going through and the lives that are going to be lost, and look at the society after the Corona Virus, if we allow this ideology to stick then we are looking at real fascism becoming a mainstream and not just extreme right wing as we have right now. This is most worrying. We have to think about now during Corona Virus epidemic and how to fight it; but this is not enough! We must also think of our society and what is going to happen to us after the epidemic. This is very important.

 

Q: When you talk about “Herd Immunity”, people who advocate it believe it would be better if certain demographic groups, such as young people who are not as badly affected by the virus are infected by the virus, in order to build immunity against it. It is total rubbish because it advocates a pick-and choose measure! It correlates with the current decision which is horrific. In certain countries especially in Italy they are prioritising people who should or should not have ventilators, who should live and who should die. It is horrendous. 

 

AM: That is exactly what I am saying. That is social Darwinism. They actually put doctors in a position of moral judgment. They are giving directives now as to how to deal with who you should let live and who be left to die. Just imagine, if this becomes the official policy of countries we live in, the future is bleak. How do you choose? This patient is young, the other one old, this one is disabled, the other one is abled, this patient is educated with a good job, and the other is a labourer with only GCSCs. Who does the doctor choose? This scenario is scary. Already health, and I am not talking about luxury, basic health is class based. People who are affluent and have means, upper class or capitalists are getting away with it. The working class, the deprived in the society are going to suffer even more. Loss of lives and livelihood. 

 

In Britain some measures are taken. They have taken a few steps back from “Herd Immunity” policy but there is a big section of workers on temporary or zero hour contracts and what is called “bogus self employed”. They have no means of livelihood and are not covered by these measures. It is reported that 80% of salaries are going to be paid. This does not include the self employed and the categories above. Again, the relatively well off are OK but the low wage sector lose out, not necessarily by Corona but by losing their homes and becoming homeless. 

 

The unfairness and inhumanity of the system is completely exposed. It is up to you, me and people like us, freedom loving people to say stop! Enough is enough. We have to expose the system. We cannot just let it go away by itself. We must not allow this narrative to stick. We have to fight this narrative and replace it with our own narrative. This is capitalism, pure and simple.

 

Q: Capitalism is based on capital accumulation and profit and not based on needs of the society. When I said Corona Virus has exposed the nature of capitalism, one example of it is the issue of Ventilators. They are vital in the treatment of people with the Virus. There is a lack of Ventilators. When you look at places like UK where you think it is well equipped with medical provisions, it is actually short of Ventilators. Now, suddenly, out of the blue, it is possible for a car manufacturing factory to halt car manufacture and instead produce Ventilators. So, one cannot help but question why these things could not have been done before the Virus outbreak? Why could the system and society not be organised based on need rather than profit? It is exposing the true nature of capitalism. What do you think?

 

AM: Exactly. The drive behind the dynamism or structure of capitalism is profit and competition for more profit. That is why the needs, livelihood, safety, health and happiness of people have no place in the driving force of capitalism. Even if capitalism has to think of these things it is because workers have to have some sort of health and livelihood to be able to work and make profit for the system. And also because class struggle has pushed the states at least in democracies to take some measures. 

 

Just look at the cuts enforced after the death of social democracy which was after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of Cold War. They heralded the post-Cold War era as the “death of Socialism!” This was not the death of socialism, but definitely the death of Social democracy. The era of social cuts, curbing the rights of the working class, privatisation and the total dominance of profit craze. Some call this Neo-liberalism. This only shows that how social, economic and political reforms are the direct results of a strong class struggle on the part of the working class. Now we are seeing the result of all the cuts they made. In France, there are only 3 IC Unit beds for every 1000 citizens, in UK 2.1 for every 1000, and in US similar to UK. It means, in situations like this, many people die because there are not enough ICU beds, or ventilators or there are simply no beds available at all in the hospitals. Or the junior doctors and nurses are not paid enough in many places. In the US, the situation is worse. Health is privatised. Health insurance premiums are very high. Just read a report that a 34 year old woman in US suspected of having Corona Virus went to A&E department. She was given a bill for over $34000 for two hospital emergency visits for Corona Virus test! The situation in US is going to be hellish because it does not have basic health care system or social benefits. In Europe you can still at least see some sort of health provisions. In that respect Europe is one step better than the US. The US congress still refuses to pass a law for sick leave benefits for all the workers. Trump is still pushing for cutting food stamps for many people even during the epidemic. 

 

Capitalism is exposed but we should not let it take its own process. We have to push it and put it right in front of people and say this is capitalism. Capitalism is only concerned with money and profit. Capitalism is about masses of fortune for the minority, and poverty and wage slavery for the majority in the society. 

 

Q: The other side of what is happening is the growing sense of community spirit and assistance that the general public are showing disregarding what the governments are saying. A sense of cooperation and helping your human kind everywhere. There are even singers performing opera in Italy for those who are self isolating in their homes to boost their moral, even pop stars performing music sessions online from their homes.  Some in UK have produced cards that you can download, print with your name and contact number, putting it through people’s letter boxes, offering your assistance to get the shopping done for you and dropping it outside your front door. This kind of safeguarding community welfare which is not directed by any government is rising. What is your take on this development? 

 

AM: The Corona Virus disaster has a double edge. We can see how humanity is emerging from ordinary citizens. You mentioned measures in UK. Let me talk about the situation in Iran. Many people have died, and many are infected by the virus. There is no real help by the state. There is lack of any kind of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), like gloves, masks and other. Even what WHO or other countries like France and Germany sent to Iran to help, have all found their way to the black market by the Pasdaran or Lebanon or Iraq according to some reports. In UK people help their next door neighbour, in Iran people have actually organised committees of people who are trying to disinfect the streets, to make masks and try to help the needy and the elderly. I know some of the measures they have implemented cannot help as much, like masks must be professionally made to be protective. Sometimes the things they do or make is not professional enough but the spirit and solidarity behind it is encouraging. These committees are growing everywhere in Iran like mushrooms. I believe it is because of two years of uprising in Iran that has changed the morality and spirit of the society and the collective mental state of the society. This is beautiful. 

 

In Europe for example, Ronaldo has given some of his hotels to be used as hospitals, Garry Neville in UK has given his hotels to be used as accommodation for NHS staff. If we do not put our narrative to it, if we do not talk about it in terms of class war, that is only charity. I don’t believe in charity. I believe in good will and humanity in people, but I do not believe in charity. Charity is a means to sort of take away the edges of what the society and capitalism do to us with religious hint to it. I am not saying people should not do that, don’t get me wrong. What I am saying is that charity is good, helping is good but open your eyes and see what is happening. This is capitalism. Governments are actually representatives or the agents of capitalism; Governments’ role and function is first and foremost to protect capitalism and the profit of capitalists. The ideology they promote is to safeguard the safety of capitalism and bourgeoisie not ordinary citizens. 

 

You might say why do I keep saying that? Because I know if we do not do that and just say people are helping, that is fine and things will be OK, things will not be OK. After the epidemic, capitalism is already in a serious crisis. Some say it is even in a more serious crisis than in 2008. Let’s just see what happened then. They saved all the banks and bailed out big companies. What happened then? People lost their jobs, wages went down, social, health service and benefit cuts were imposed. Britain is a good example of what happened between 2008 and 2020. The same goes for other countries. This time it is even going to be worse. What we are going to see after the epidemic is going to be worse. Airlines in UK have reported that they stop working for a month or two. They have sent their employees home without wages. They have said if the employees demand wages they are going to be dismissed. Actually a member of parliament said to Richard Branson (the owner of one of the airlines) to sell his private island. But they are asking for bailout from the state! The airlines are not paying their employees, why do they want a bail out? Bail out for what? I am sure that they are going to get it because this is capitalism.

 

One very horrendous case that has been exposed is that two Republican senators in US sold their stocks after a government private meeting before the news of the Corona Virus hit the media. They made a lot of profit out of people’s misery. They are just going to walk around and think that they are very smart and clever. Nothing will happen to them. 

 

Q: What recommendations has the Worker-communist Party of Iran - Hekmatist given to people in Iran?

 

AM: We have asked people to extend their solidarity and help to each other but be aware of safety and security. Be aware of not just going into the streets, infecting yourself or others. It is good to be helpful but has to be done wisely. The Party has issued press releases and warnings regarding what to do and what not do regarding the Corona Virus. We are encouraging the self help movement. 

 

The other thing we are trying to do is to force the government to free prisoners. We are talking about more than 200,000 prisoners. Some prisoners (about 50,000) have been released on very high bails temporarily. The authorities have said just to give them leave, not free. The government has given guidelines but the local “sheriffs” do not let the prisoner go. The lives of a lot of political prisoners and criminals in jail are in real danger. Reports indicate that some prisoners have died of Corona Virus in prisons. There were two riots in two prisons in Iran. In one of them the Pasdaran killed 20-30 prisoners and the rest escaped. We have no news of the other. 

 

We are pushing for stop working in factories. Workers are still going to work. The CEOs and managers are staying behind closed doors but workers are exposed. In a Steel Plant two or three days ago a worker tested positive for Corona Virus. Workers in the Plant went on strike demanding the closure of the factory. There was a one day strike in the mining industry. What should happen is that work should stop but people should be given a basic income so they can survive the hardships economically. These are some of the issues we are pushing for. However, as far as the Islamic Republic is concerned, we have seen no move to alleviate any of the hardships for the people. The regime just adds to the hardship. 

 

The political climate in Iran is so different from that in Europe or other countries. There is a great deal of solidarity amongst the people. There is great deal of anger and hatred towards the state. People were in the process of uprising in the past two years, especially past few months. I am sure this regime is going to fall, one day or another. The Corona Virus epidemic is going to accelerate that day. We have to look world wide as what to do. We have to fight back capitalism, and exposing capitalism should be our international universal slogan in the face of people’s livelihood. 

 

 

An Open Letter to those who Defend Freedom of Speech!

Face book is blocking and censuring Iranian left political activists!

In the past couple of days Face book has blocked the pages of some Iranian leftists and socialists, who have been fighting against the Islamic regime of Iran for years and try to bring about a just and free society in Iran. Some well-known political figures are among people whose FB accounts have been blocked. The only way offered by FB for the Iranian leftists and socialists to regain their pages is to send a copy of their ID, which FB keeps up to one year! 

How does FB justify such a political attack on the opposition of the Islamic regime? FB is knowingly or unknowingly is playing in the hands of the brutal and suppressive regime in Iran.  At a time when Islamic Republic is arresting, torturing and executing opposition activists, workers, working people, students, women rights activists in Iran, FB is shutting down the pages of those who are defending freedom. Leftists and socialists use FB platform to spread the news and gather support for freedom and expose the brutality and oppression in Iran.

Some of those activists whose accounts have been blocked by FB have escaped execution and persecution by IR and sought refuge in the West. Some of those activists who FB asks their IDs and intends to keep them for one year, have been forced to work for their political goals using pseudonyms in order to escape persecution and assassination attempts by IR in their new found homes. They are real people; they might be using pseudonyms but these chosen names are as real as the names they’ve been given at birth. There is nothing fake about these people; as real as it can be! 

This is a political assault on the Iranian left opposition; an attempt to censure the voice of the left and opposition of the IR. How is one to judge this action? One is forced to assume that a deal has been made behind closed doors. The price of which in terms of money, and dignity, image and credibility is definitely high. The question arises that does FB need to sacrifice its dignity, credibility for more money? Its image is completely tarnished. 

Has the ceiling been lowered this much? Is anyone in doubt now about who really runs the world and how we are all hostages of their profits, power and whims? 

It is of utmost importance that any freedom-loving person sign this open letter. To defend freedom of speech and expression, to defend justice, equality and a better world we need to stand firm and tall against this political assault, an open act of censorship.

 

Signatures:

 

Author

Azar Majedi

Submitted by heinhtetkyaw on November 9, 2022

 

What do people want in Iran? Unveil Iran!

 

 

Iran once again has become the scene of revolt, protest and bloodshed. Even though protests are nothing new in Iran; this time there is a marked difference in the protest movements occupying the streets of many cities and towns in Iran. As the mood, expression of revolt and the slogans have changed so has the narrative of the mainstream media in the west. Up to now anytime people took to the street, we heard the narrative that people in Iran do not want an overthrow, they just want some reforms in the regime. The state reformists took to the stage to give a skewed narrative of reality. This time the agenda has changed: They’re propagating a regime change. The narrative might have changed the aim is the same: To offer a self-serving interpretation of the protest movement and people’s aspiration.

 

 

But what do the people want?
The desire to topple this regime and to create a free, equal and prosperous society has a deep root in Iranian society. This regime from day one has faced fierce struggle from a sizeable section of the people. Only couple of weeks after coming to power the women’s rights movement came to the streets to oppose Khomeini’s mandate to enforce the Islamic veil on women. On 8 March 1979 in the midst of organization for 8 March meetings in Tehran thousands of women took to the street and demanded freedom and equality. In response to the calls by the regime for forceful imposition of the veil as an Islamic duty and an anti-western, anti-imperialist act, demonstrators shouted: Women’s freedom is neither Eastern nor Western, but universal. This slogan was significant as at the time so-called “anti-imperialism” was dominant among the populist left. The irony was that the Islamic regime was to the bone a western/imperialist product: A result of a regime change by the US and western governments to obstruct the left gaining prominence. The uprising for a better world was hijacked by the West and the Islamic regime in 1979.

Once the society began to free itself from the traumatic murderous assault of the 80s, the wave of periodical protests started; among them a few large-scale ones, in 1999 when the so-called reformist president Khatami was in power a protest started by the students which was bloodily suppressed by the regime; in 2008 there was a large protest opposing the results of the presidential so-called election, many were arrested, shot dead or murdered under torture; and in December 2017 the new wave of national protest movement began which has been ongoing and have taken different forms from workers strike to street demonstrations and street riots. The current round of protests is much more radical and militant, it’s much more widespread, it’s all over the country and many more people are involved.

However, the country has been in real turmoil for the past 4 years. There have been several mass protests which have taken the country by storm for a few days, took a step back only to emerge stronger. The slogan of death to the Islamic regime and its leader has been common in all these protests. There have been numerous workers’ strikes, some lasted months. Workers have attempted to create their general assemblies and workers councils; abolishing the regime-made organizations and trying to make their own organizations; many workers, teachers and pensioners protested in the streets. Two years ago in October there was a weeklong revolt that resulted in at least 1500 deaths according to the official figures, but the real number is much higher. Arrest of workers, teachers, students and political activists has been carried out by the regime.

This protest movement is not only more widespread and militant, but the main slogan and the trigger point of protests are significant as well. The protests were triggered by the tragic death of a young woman at the hands of the security force for not observing the Islamic veil; therefore, the demand for women’s liberation, against the veil. Islamic veil is a fundamental symbol of Islam and Islamic regime. The current protest movement is aiming at one of the pillars of the regime. Beautiful scenes of burning the veil took place in different cities. Women participated in the protests without the veil. (Many women had stopped observing the veil and the regime had tried to escalate the attacks on unveiled women, therefore the death of Mahsa.) Demanding women’s liberation and abolishing the rule of the Islamic veil have important politico-ideological significance.

Why does the veil have such a prominent place in the political scene in Iran?
The veil is the banner of the Islamic regime and movement throughout the region. The veil is the symbol of Islam. The veil is both the tool and the symbol of women’s oppression under Islam. The gender/sexual relationship in Islam is its important characteristic. The relationship between women and man under Islam is like that of slave and slave-owner; thus the significance and prominence of the veil and gender apartheid in Islam. Therefore, the Islamic regime cannot accept any setback on the question of the veil. The Women’s liberation movement will not accept the veil and gender apartheid, so this war will go on until one side completely defeats the other. Women’s right movement as mentioned above was the first movement to take to the streets against the regime and it’s the first one to impose a defeat on the regime, be it short-lived. The hostility between this movement and the Islamic regime is deep and has a long history.

What we are witnessing in Iran is the culmination of the women’s liberation movement and the total integration of it in the general socio-economic and political opposition to the Islamic regime. This is the first time in history that a movement for women’s freedom and equality has equally attracted men and women in large numbers with so much dedication and passion.

Women’s liberation is an important part of the protest movement but it’s not the only demand. People have taken to the street to topple this regime. Death to the regime and its leader has echoed throughout the country. People have braved the streets and are fighting with the security police. The psychology of the society has transformed; fear has subsided; people feel empowered and are defiant. They have taken to the streets to overthrow this regime.

It is of paramount importance that the international progressive and freedom loving people and organizations to support the movement and show solidarity with the people in Iran. We also need to be vigilant regarding the US and the West’s regime change plot. It seems that the regime change has moved to the top of US agenda. Particularly in the last few months in the climate of US warmongering efforts to impose a new world order US has openly defended a regime change and is planning for it. The threat of another regime change like the one in 1979 is real; the danger of the people’s movement for freedom, equality and prosperity to be once more hijacked by the US and Western power.