Siamand Moini, co-chair of the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê - PJAK), has commented in an interview with ANF on the wave of repression of the Iranian regime in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat), the changes taking place in the region and the change of government in the USA.

In Rojhilat, numerous students and activists have been arrested in recent weeks, and the repression against the Kurdish people has intensified. What does Iran fear and what can be done against these attacks?

The arrests of civil activists in Rojhilat recently bring to light once again the hostile policies of the regime. One of the goals of the Iranian leadership is to create fear between the peoples of Kurdistan and Iran. Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran over forty years ago, massacres of freedom-loving people in Kurdistan have continued. The government views Baluchis, Arabs, Turkmen, Azerbaijanis and Kurds from a chauvinistic point of view. The Baluch, Arab and Kurdish people have paid a high price for this. According to human rights organizations, most of the people who are arrested and executed belong to these three folks. This testifies to the chauvinistic view of the regime in Iran.

The Kurdish people must defend themselves against these attacks and take a stand against Iran's actions in Kurdistan. It must make its protest clear everywhere and show that Kurdish society is on its feet because it does not accept oppression and injustice. People should visit the families of political prisoners and not leave them alone during this time. This is a method of struggle against the oppression of the Iranian regime. When the people protest in an organized way, the state must row back. Everyone must be aware that the ruling system will continue as long as the population does not organize. Therefore, everyone must organize in the spirit of the freedom paradigm and be prepared for a change in the future.

What does the change of government in the U.S. mean for Iran? What influence will this change have on Iran policy?

U.S. policy on Iran is clear. To date, nothing has been done to bring about a change of power in Iran. Neither under Obama nor under Trump have there been any projects for this. The U.S. may eventually change its Iran policy and seek to improve relations in the region, but that does not mean that the U.S. agenda includes a change of power in Iran.

The hegemonic states are pursuing their own interests in the region. We are living in a time of historic significance. How things will change also depends on the commitment of the people. If the importance of this time is understood and acted upon, golden conditions can emerge in Rojhilat.

I expect Joe Biden to maintain and even increase the pressure on Iran. Iran has recently been experiencing one crisis after another. The dictatorial system of rule has lost the support of large sections of society and is losing more and more legitimacy on a religious, political and social level every day. The people of Iran should once again dare to revolt as they did in 1999, and the freedom-loving peoples should play an important role in bringing about change.

What kind of position should the Kurdish people take at this time?

The Kurdish people should prepare now for future changes. They must develop themselves and build self-determined local structures and defense forces using democratic methods. If this can be done, a historic opportunity will arise. Our people cannot achieve success with the policies of a hundred years ago. Therefore, all Kurdish neighborhoods must fulfill their role at this time. This opportunity must not be missed, for this we must fight against the enemies of freedom.

The Rojhilat Liberation Movement has issued two declarations in the past. There has been no positive response from Iran. What will happen if Iran continues with its policy of denial and annihilation?

Our movement has always been in favor of dialogue regarding a solution to the existing problems. The Kurdish issue in Rojhilat is a political problem that must be solved. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not want a solution and its treatment of the Kurdish people is unacceptable. Our people are in search of solutions at this time of change in the region. Their demands can no longer be ignored. The freedom-loving peoples no longer accept the regime's chauvinist attitude; they are resisting it. We believe that a democratic system of government in Iran would be useful and could democratize the entire region.

How is the "Time for Freedom" campaign going in Rojhilat? How are the people and politicians in Rojhilat and Iran reacting to it?

Society is always alive and seeking freedom. Dictatorial states and reactionary systems hinder the people and create conflicts. Therefore, there is always a conflict between society and those in power. The population wants freedom and is willing to make sacrifices for it. Dictatorial governments always protect the interests of only one section of society. They have often had to row back in the face of protests from the population. Governments that are afraid of the will of the people use various methods to break that will.

Recently, the Iranian regime has launched a major wave of attacks against civilian activists. Hundreds of people have been detained and arrested. The arrests are intended to prevent a social vanguard from organizing. People are to be intimidated. Those in power fear the struggle for freedom and want to bring this movement under control. All I can say to this is that no system can hold on to power for a long time by murdering and terrorizing society. To the extent that the people of Rojhilat organize themselves, they can stop the government and come closer to freedom.