Pro-Democracy Movement of Iran (PMDI)
PDMI and its founder Arash Irandoost are INDEPENDENT entities that support groups, organizations and individuals who are fighting to overthrow the Islamic Republic and establish a secular democracy in Iran. We are not affiliated with any political groups or organizations. We believe that Islamic Republic cannot be reformed and regime change is the only option for Iran. Arash Irandoost has never been a part of any past or existing political organizations and his sole mission and priority is Iran and unity amongst Iranian opposition groups. This is very hard for some Iranians to fathom, accept and understand that in fact there are some Iranians who have actually put Iran first and their political ideology and personal agendas second. It is ultimately the people of Iran who must decide what type of government Iran should have, under a free and democratic elections. PDMI is always looking for the like-minded and skilled people!
Ever since the takeover of Iran by the Islamic movement over three decades ago, we have witnessed an influx Iranians migrating to other countries. A large majority have taken residence in the United States. Exiled Iranians, Diaspora, migrants, in spite of numerous hardships have adapted well to their second home and maintained their cultural, political and social links with their motherland, and their accomplishments in their host country, comparatively speaking has surpassed other minority groups.
Ever since the takeover of Iran by the Islamic movement over three decades ago, we have witnessed an influx Iranians migrating to other countries. A large majority have taken residence in the United States. Exiled Iranians, Diaspora, migrants, in spite of numerous hardships have adapted well to their second home and maintained their cultural, political and social links with their motherland, and their accomplishments in their host country, comparatively speaking has surpassed other minority groups.
Despite our successes in the United States, however, we are very much troubled and concerned by the troubles had home. We are troubled by a corrupt and incompetent anti-Iran and anti-Iranian regime, that attempts to destroy our cultural and historical heritage and downplay our proud past and glorious civilization. Not only is this regime commits crimes and violates basic human rights of Iranians at home but is considered a major threat to the civilized world. Regimes hatred of America and chants of “Death to America” by its hired thugs are indeed a source of disgrace and shame for us Iranian-Americans!
The Islamic government has amassed a complex network of individuals and organizations who are pressing forward in seeming synchrony to influence the new U.S. administration’s policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran. Spearheaded by a de facto partnership between the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC), CASMII, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), think thanks, so-called Iran experts, university professors, cultural centers and other organizations are serving as mouthpieces for the mullahs’ party line. This network includes well-known American diplomats, congressional representatives, figures from academia and the think tank world.
Under such conditions, there is a pressing need for individuals, groups and organizations with requisite expertise that can present a more realist picture of current events and help expose the blatant violations of basic human rights in Iran. It is for this reason that the Pro-Democracy Movement of Iran (PDMI) was founded by Dr. Arash Irandoost.
What is PDMI?
We are a group of lawyers, doctors, engineers, programmers, writers, human rights activists, researchers, educators, academicians, TV and Radio announcers, political activists of all stripes united by common core values. We welcome Iranians and Americans who have a passion for Iran, believe in freedom and democratic principles and respect human rights. We are first and foremost an educational and human rights organization and not a political one, but welcome measured and seasoned active and capable politicians who can set their political differences aside and put Iran first.
We believe that Islamic Republic cannot be reformed and regime change is the only option for Iran. We are anti-war and for world peace. We want an Iran who can live in peace and harmony with its neighbors, an Iran that can join and contribute positively to the world community. We are first and foremost an educational and a human rights organization. We demand the separation of church and state and aspire for a secular democratic Iran.
The religious rulers of Iran have offered noting constructive to the world and have inflicted nothing but misery on the Iranian people. Thirty one years of barbaric Islamic rule has clearly shown that it is not compatible with democracy. Under the Islamic laws, Iran's rulers have routinely jailed, hanged, raped, tortured, and killed innocent Iranians.
PDMI is
PDMI is
- A community of freedom loving Iranians united for a common vision, mission, goal and action.
- Is calling for joint action by all democratic voices under the banner of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Believes in regime change in Iran is the only alternative for a free and democratic and secular Iran.
- Believes that religion and state should never mix. The mix of state and religion in modern Iran has provided the Islamic Republic with the pretext for the most violent forms of political suppression and Human Right abuses in the name of religion.
- Any dialogue with the Islamic republic is futile. The Islamic Republic's Constitution is nothing but a discriminatory and flawed and anti-democratic document written with the specific purpose of safeguarding the Islamic rule, giving the ultimate power to Iran' clergy and treating Iran's women, religious and ethnic minorities as second class citizens.
- Democratic elections, respect for human rights and suspension of the enrichment of uranium for military purposes should be a prerequisite if such discussions are to take place. We support the toughest (non-food and medicine) sanctions against the Islamic dictatorship.
- The current system of government based on the 7th century religious laws is not adequate to address all of the needs of a modern society.
- The current government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is an illegitimate government.
- The Supreme Leader “Velayat e Fagih” as (the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong) is undemocratic and does not represent the will of the Iranian people.
- The “so-called” elections in Iran are nothing but a sham and are aimed at the survival and legitimization of a corrupt and unpopular theocratic regime.
- The massive disqualification of candidates by a group of non-elected Mullahs and selection of hand-picked individuals with questionable financial, civil and criminal backgrounds who are often present or former commanders of militia or other security forces and who have no basis of support among the population to run for government offices, is unlawful, illegitimate and undemocratic.
PDMI envisions
A democratically elected form of government through a referendum (supervised by international observes) and then holding free elections are the only way to represent the will of the Iranian masses towards a free, secular, democratic and independent Iran.
PDMI
- · Supports the toughest forms of (non-food and medicine) sanctions against the Islamic government. 75% of Iran’s economy is controlled by the IRGC. We do not believe in the propaganda by regime apologists that sanctions hurt the ordinary people, To the contrary, regime agents guised at lobbyists are hard at work to ease sanctions so that the regime is allowed to purchase sensitive surveillance technologies, oil and gas equipment, military gear to crush pro- democracy and freedom seeking Iranians.
- · Aims to expose and confront regime lobbyists of all stripes.
- · Sees the United States as our ally and aims to establish mutually beneficial, respectful, friendly and cooperative relationship with America and Americans.
- · Aims to utilize Farsi Speaking media to unite Iranians
- · Aims to utilize the English speaking media to express our views and interests
- · Aims to hold educational sessions, workshops and conference on Iran and the US foreign policy on Iran
