Secular Republicans for a Democratic Iran Present their Charter

A new coalition of five exiled Iranian opposition parties have launched a charter setting out their vision for a secular democratic system of government in Iran after the downfall of the Islamic Republic.

The 10-point document, presented at a press conference in London on April 3, states that such a regime would allow the foundation of a “nation-state” in Iran and the formation of a “national government.”

The coalition of republican parties, named Cooperation for a Republic Secular Democratic in Iran, groups the Coalition of Iranian Republicans, the National Front Organizations outside Iran, the Fadaeian Khalq Party, the Alliance of Iranian Republicans and the National Front of Iran–Europe.

Their proposals come amid growing calls for fundamental economic, social and political change after more than four decades of clerical rule.

The country has been swept by anti-government protests since September 2022, the biggest challenge to the Islamic Republic in decades.

The authorities have responded to the protest movement with a fierce crackdown in which more than 520 people have been killed and over 20,000 have been unlawfully detained, according to activists. After biased trials, the judiciary has handed down stiff sentences, including the death penalty, to protesters.

"Partnership and Healthy Competition"

The new charter insists on the rights of all citizens and the “rule of the majority.” It calls for “respecting the rights of the minority, eliminating all discriminations and ensuring equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, belief and conscience.”

The charter calls on Iranians to unite behind a nationwide and organized protest movement and insists that the struggle should remain non-violent.

Maryam Setvat, from the Coalition of Iranian Republicans, explained that Iranian society has suffered under two totalitarian governments, “an Islamic one and a monarchy.”

She stressed that a true republic should be against all forms of discrimination and called for Republican forces to stand alongside each other.

The charter says that a secular democratic republic can only be achieved through “partnership and healthy competition among political parties and organizations.”

Homayoun Hemanish, from National Front Organizations outside Iran, acknowledged that each party in the coalition has its own views on issues, but he emphasized the importance of “building a basis for a fight for democracy.”

Mahdeih Golroo, from the Alliance of the Iranian Republicans, stated that the coalition aims to “disconnect” politics from religion, which she said will be a turning point in Iran’s history.

Behrooz Khaleeq, from the Fadaeian Khalq party, stated that the coalition is determined to expand the coalition by reaching out to other Republican movements.

The new coalition comes nearly a month after six exiled Iranian opposition figures came together to publish a joint “Charter of Solidarity and Alliance for Freedom” listing proposals for the establishment of a “free and democratic Iran.”

The document, dubbed the “Mahsa Charter,” lists democratic governance, human rights and human dignity, justice, peace and security, environmental sustainability and economic transparency as shared values.

When asked by IranWire if the new coalition was set up in response to the “Mahsa Charter,” Khaleeq said, “This is not only a reaction to the ‘Mahsa Charter’ but it is based on years of cooperation.”

“The main difference between our charter and theirs is that ours is scientific, analyzed, serious and the result of a long work. It’s the works of five parties with a long history of political activities,” he added.

“And there are significant differences. Our charter addresses some specific issues inside Iran, but the ‘Mahsa Charter’ refers to international agreements without having contacts [inside Iran] to know what the problems are and what would be their solutions.”

"Admirable Goals" but "no Concrete Suggestions"

The London press conference was attended by Saeed Barzin, a political analyst, who told IranWire what he thinks about Iranian political groups.

“While they may have admirable goals and policies, there are no concrete suggestions on how to implement them. This lack of practicality applies to both exiled groups and groups within Iran,” he said. 

When asked about the ongoing competition among exiled political opposition groups, Barzin said, “With the current political climate in Iran, which has forced the government to engage with civil society, there is an opportunity for outside forces to set new policies. However, it remains uncertain whether these attempts will be successful or not.”

Despite being active outside Iran since the establishment of the Islamic Republic more than 40 years ago, political forces “have not been able to establish democratic and active parties due to disagreements and a lack of willingness to engage with each other,” the political analyst said

Barzin explained that the proposals that are emerging for establishing a new political system in Iran should be closely monitored to see if they are realistic or rather destructive.

“The political elite of Iran has made many mistakes over the past 50 years,” he said.