Apr 2, 2009 - Iran. Karim is also the secretary of International and Foreign affairs of Congress of Nationalities for a.
Human Rights and the Question of Democratisation and Federalism in Iran
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES Dr. Abdian, Karim: A human rights and political activist for nearly 40 years in the West, Dr. Karim is the executive director of Ahwazi Human Rights Organization, an international advocacy NGO in support of national and ethnic minorities in Iran, with a focus on Ahwazi-Arabs (Arab-Iranians) in south-western Iran. Karim is also the secretary of International and Foreign affairs of Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran (CNFI). A researcher and an author of numerous articles in papers in Farsi, Arabic and English, he regularly appears on Arab and Iranian TV and media as well as on Voice of America. Karim is an active participant in a number of UN forums such Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples and the UN Human Rights Council. He holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering, an MBA and PhD in International Economics. Dr. Al-Taie, Ali: A native Arab, he was born in 1942 in international Iran. His county of birth was one of two Arab city-states under the Greek conquest of Mesopotamia, and his tribe identified with the other. He received his education in the imposed language of the nation-state of Iran, including his Masters in Social Sciences from the University of Tehran. He worked as a school teacher and later as a researcher at the University of Tehran, and the Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education. In 1978, he emigrated to the US and pursued a doctoral degree in sociology. Now a US citizen, he taught in several schools across the country. Currently, he chairs the Department of Social Sciences and teaches sociology at Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina. He also worked for five years for the League of Arab States in the US. Included in his published works in English, Arabic, and Farsi, which is relevant to the theme of this Conference is: Ethnic Identity Crisis in Iran; and The Arab Is not Traitor (to Iran). His current research focuses on : The Arabs of al-Ahwaz: A Sociopolitical History; and the Sociology of Collective Identity. Ms. Bakke, Kristin M.: Kristin M. Bakke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Leiden University, the Netherlands. She has a PhD and MA in Political Science from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a BA in Journalism from Indiana University. In 2007-2008, she was a research fellow at Harvard University. Dr. Bakke’s research concerns why the relations between ethnic groups and the states in which they live have been mired in violence in some states but not in others, how federalism can (or cannot) promote intrastate peace, and the ways in which intrastate struggles affect state-society and inter-ethnic relations. Mr. Bakhtiar, Faramarz: Born in 1950 in Bakhtiary land in Iran and raised in a politically involved family who were the leaders of the Bakhtiary minority. He finished high school in Tehran and went to the United States to further his education. In 1978 Mr. Bakthiar graduated from the University of Baltimore in the field of political science. He has been living in Germany since 1999 and his field of activity is the tribal structure of Iran. Senator Baloch, Sanaullah: Elected as a Member Senate of Pakistan (Parliament) from Balochistan province, serving between 2002 and 2008. He resigned from the Senate of Pakistan in June 2008 in protest of unjust policies towards Balochistan and its people. In April 1997, Mr. Baloch elected as a Member of National Assembly of Pakistan (Parliament) from the largest constituency of the country. In 1998 he was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Interior and Narcotics Control Division but resigned in protest when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan tested the nuclear bomb in Balochistan. He has written a number of articles and papers on ethnic politics, democracy, federalism and nationalism and in August 2005 he was made fellow of Stanford Institute for International Studies on the 1-2 April 2009
Human Rights and the Question of Democratisation and Federalism in Iran Democracy, Development and Rule of law program. His research and professional expertise is in the field of Democracy, Federalism, Conflict Resolution, Human Rights and the rights of Ethnic Minorities. Mr. Boladai, Nasser Mr Nasser Boladai is a member of the International Committee of the CNFI (Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran). He was born and raised in western Balochistan, Iran, where he finished high school in 1981. He has a Master's degree in Arts, a degree in Linguistics and a degree in Computer and System Science. Mr. Boladai is a member of the editorial board for a Balochi and Persian magazine called TRAN, which is devoted to political and cultural discourse among Balochs, and other Iranians. He has contributed numerous articles to this magazine on national self determination, people’s sovereignty, Federalism, Balochi language and literature specifically in the area of Balochi Folklore. Mr. Dadiar, Seria: Student of Mediatechnology and Balochi language of Balochi origin currently residing in Sweden. Actively monitors the Human rights situation in Iran with particular focus on Balochistan. Dr Doshoki, Abdul Sattar: Qualified physician from Leeds University with a Masters degree in International Business and Management from City University of London. Started political activities in 1977 whilst a medical student in Tehran, from which he was purged by the Ayatollahs in 1981. He was one of the founders of the Balochistan United Front of Iran. Currently he is the UK & Ireland Manager for an American healthcare organization. He is a well-known writer, commentator, and analyst on Persian and Baloch political affairs, appearing on various media such as VOA, BBC, and Middle Eastern media. Mr. Ghobishi, Yasin: Born in 1958 in the Arab Province Alahwaz (Khozestan) in southwestern Iran. Mr. Ghobishi was a political activist in the province after the priests attack on Alahwazi people, and came to Denmark as a political refugee in 1985. There he learnt Danish language and read Electronics. Mr. Ghobishi is active for meniscus rights Ahwaz Country. Mr.Hejab, Abdollah: Mr Hejab obtained a Masters degree in political science from the University of Oslo. His main focus was the “Nation building process in Kurdistan”. During recent years he has written a series of articles and comments on human rights and the political situation in Kurdistan in Norwegian, Kurdish, Turkish and Persian papers and journals. His political background started in the 1980s, when he attended the PDKI after his school degree. Mr. Hosseinbor, Gholam Reza: Mr. Hosseinbor is a leadership consultant who has written four books on leadership, management, development and change. He has also created more than 150 CDs on the same issues. He has also conducted substantial research on Iranian nationalities and specifically on Baloch case. He was born in Iran and now lives in the United Kingdom. Mr. Hosseini, Shaho (Michel Hosseini): Representative of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan abroad. Mr. Iranpour, Nasser: Born in 1962 in Mahabad, Iranian Kurdistan, and started a degree in Social Economics in 190. He came to Germany in 1984 where he continues to reside today. From 1987-1990 he completed professional practical training, and in 1990/91 he completed a one year preparatory course in German literature in Frankfurt. Between 1991 and 1996 he studied journalism and German literature and sciences in Dortmund. Now, works as a translator and freelance journalist, and is active in
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Human Rights and the Question of Democratisation and Federalism in Iran maintaining IranFederal.com on which is published articles abut federalism, democracy and the right to self determination. Dr Hossein, Ladjevardi Leading up to completing his PhD in Sociology at The Sorbonne in Paris (1978), Dr Ladjevardi was an active researcher and senior lecturer at the Social Research and Study Institute at Tehran University, and has also worked with the UN in the UNDP on population growth in Iran. He is currently the president of the Association des Chercheurs Iranians, established in 1992 and Research Project Manager at the Iranian Research and Advice Centre. Mr. Mengal, Munir: Mr. Munir is a Chartered Accountant and has audited several high portfolio organizations in Pakistan. He has been a member of the Pakistan 2004-2005 Budget pre and post analysis committee. In October 2005 he planned to establish an independent Balochi Language TV channel named as Baloch Voice. In February 2006 he made a speech in Ayube stadium, Quetta about the Media Role in the Baloch National Movement for self-determination. On 26th March 2006 there was a Seminar and Musical show arranged by Baloch Club Bahrain where he and Fatima Al-Baloshi were Guests of Honour. He has written Several Articles about Balochistan and Baloch People, of which, “Baloch, Balach and Balochistan” is the best known. Mr. Mobaraki, Nasser: Mr. Mobaraki was born in 1960 in Balochistan, Iran. He graduated from technical college in 1978 and subsequently worked as construction director for various companies. He completed national service between 1983 and 1985. He left Iran in 1986 for the UK where he has resided ever since. In 2003 with a group of likeminded friends, he co-founded Baluchistan United Front with the intention of creating a platform for bringing together all parties and individuals who are fighting for a decentralised democratic government for Iran. Mr. Mojaddam, Kathem Hassod: Born and raised in Ahwaz, Mr Mojaddam holds an economics degree from Shahid Chamran (Ahwaz) University in Khuzestan. He is a founding member of al-Wafagh Party, a 2nd of Khordad reformist party that dominated Khuzestan province for 8 years during Khatami. This party was banned by President Ahmadinejad and most of its leadership and members are in jail in Ahwaz. The Al-Wafgha Party t is now illegal in Iran. Mr. Mojadam is a political activist and currently resides in Demark. He has been jailed 3 times in the past 15 years for advocating the rights of ethnic Ahwazi-Aras in Southwest Iran. Dr. Moradi, Golmorad: Dr. Golmorad Moradi was born into a Kurdish Yarsani Family in 1941 in Iranian Kurdistan. He studied political economic, political science and the sociology at the University of Heidelberg Germany. Mr. Moradi was Guest on the University of Oxford for one year (April 1983 - March 1984), as Researcher. He wrote his PhD. Thesis at the political Faculty (South-East Asian) of the University of Heidelberg, on the history of Kurdish Movement. He also wrote his Habilitation (inauguration) on “Social and Religious movement” in Islamic world of Iran focusing on the history and philosophy of Ahl-e Haqq (Yarsan). He has worked as lecturer at the University of Heidelberg, Hamburg and Bremen and taught Kurdish history, basic Kurdish language for foreign students and Persian language for over five years. He is also speaker of Cultural Association of Yarsan community abroad and writes Verdicts (legal advice) for the Judges, government Authorities and different human rights Organisations, about the Cultural and Religious matters in Middle East, especially about the Ahl-e Haqq (Yarsan) religion. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Human Rights in Kurdistan and also the member of Councils (Hai´at Dabiran) of Iranian (PEN) in Exile.
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Human Rights and the Question of Democratisation and Federalism in Iran Dr. Emmanuele Ottolenghi Dr. Ottolenghi is the executive director of the Transatlantic Institute and a frequent commentator on Israeli domestic politics, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and Europe’s Middle East policy. Prior to 2006, he taught Israel Studies at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies and at the Middle East Centre of St. Antony’s College, Oxford University. He obtained his Ph.D. at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Bologna. Dr. Sadr, Al Asharafi Zia: Born in Tabriz, capital of Iran’s Azerbaijan. Engineer in Agronomy, at the University of Tehran, Iran. Gained a Masters of Science at the University of Montpelier, France and a second Masters of Science at the University of Sorbonne, France. He completed a Doctorate in comparative agriculture, at the University of Sorbonne, France. Professor in rural sociology, at the University of Avicenne, Hamadan, Iran. Mr. Shariatmadari, Hassan: Born in Tabriz, Iran in 1947, the son of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Kazem Shariatmadari (1885-1986). He holds a Masters in Physics, a Masters in Law, Islamic Sciences and Islamic Philosophy. He cofounded the I.P.R.P, the Iran Moslem Peoples Republican Party Member of central comity of I.P.R.P between 1978 and 1980. He emigrated to Germany as an exiled politician in 1980 where he continues to reside. He is General Secretary of JMI (National Republicans of Iran) and Member of the General Council of EJA (Unity of republicans of Iran). He has published various books, articles, papers and interviews in social, Islamic, democratic, ethnic, political issues regarding Iran. Mr. Shekofteh, Afrasiab: Mr. Shekofteh was born in Khorasan Province, North-east of Iran. As a Kurd from Khorasan he worked among Khorasani Kurds in the health industry and in social, civil and cultural affairs for years. He attained a PhD in agricultural and animal health from Tehran University in 1992. He has an MSc in medical laboratory from London Metropolitan University, UK, 2006. As a member of the Cultural and Civil Society of Khorasani Kurds, he has advocated tirelessly for democracy in Iran. Mr. Soltanzadeh, Hedayatollah: Mr. Soltanzadeh studied law in Tehran University and in the UK. For more than 40 years he was a political activist and was imprisoned for over 8 years before the revolution. He worked for 5 years as a researcher at the Open University of Iran, and editorial member of the opposition journal, Rahe Kargar, having co-founded it. Key areas of interest include jurisprudence, political economy and political theory, especially the issues of federalism. Currently he is Executive Member of the Azerbaijan Federal Democratic Movement . Ms. Sulemani, Monireh: International representative of Balochistan Peoples Party, was recently in Belem, Brazil participating in the world social forum. Also participated at the 2008 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Mr. Tavakkoly Keianosh: Currently head of the Iranian Human Rights Committee in Denmark. Mr. Tavakkoly is a human rights activist and a member of the steering group for the Iranian website "Iran Global". He is a web journalist specializing in Iranian politics. Ms. Zamani, Fakhteh: Ms. Zamani is an Azerbaijani Iranian who grew up in the Iranian Azerbaijani. An expert in wireless communications, Canada-based Fakhteh Zamani has campaigned against the injustices suffered by Iran’s minorities. Ms Zamani left Iran more than18 years ago but now capitalizes on her IT expertise and gathers and shares information about minorities. She is committed to raising awareness about human rights abuses committed in Iran. She founded the Association for the Defence of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners, but condemns human rights abuses against all minorities in Iran. In March of 2008 she spoke to the U.S. House of Representatives' Iran working group. 1-2 April 2009
