The Iranian Mosaic: The Struggle Of Minorities For Pluralism And Federalism In Iran, May 16th, 2017

Speakers: Eric B. Brown Moderator Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute, Nasser Boladai ,Mauri Esfandiari, Arash Saleh, Dr. Karim Abdian, Habib Azarsina

 

The Iranian Mosaic: The Struggle of Minorities for Pluralism and Federalism in Iran

 

Iran is an ethno-religious mosaic that includes Persian Shia in addition to a diversity of minority groups such as Azerbaijani Turks, Ahwazi, Baloch, and Kurds. Many non-Persians have felt politically and economically marginalized by the Persian-dominated theocracy in Tehran, and minority groups have been disproportionately affected by worsening state-sponsored violence and repression in recent years.

Soon, if not already, minorities will make up the majority of Iran’s total population because of higher fertility rates among minority groups than their Persian counterparts. This suggests that Iran’s internal stability and capacity for integration into the international order in coming years may heavily depend on Tehran’s willingness to decentralize governance, create new economic opportunities for all its people, and incorporate its minorities as full citizens.

Understanding both the plight and role of minorities in shaping Iran’s future is crucial for America’s policy toward the Islamic Republic. On May 16, Hudson Institute and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization will host a panel discussion with representatives of Iran’s Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Ahwazi, and Baloch populations who are working peacefully for federalism and pluralism. The panelists will discuss the status of minorities inside the Islamic Republic, and their hopes and aspirations for a better future inside Iran.

This event will be live streamed on Hudson’s homepage. A light lunch will be available at 11:45 am and the program will begin at noon.

Speakers
– Nasser Boladai Speaker
Balochistan People’s Party
– Mauri Esfandiari Speaker
Komala Party
– Arash Saleh Speaker
Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan
– Dr. Karim Abdian Speaker
Democratic Solidarity Party of Alahwaz
-Habib Azarsina Speaker
South Azerbaijan Alliance
– Eric B. Brown Moderator
Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute