06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Following the presidential elections in Juni 2005 small and regional groupings reorganised; reform groups created a single electoral list for the Tehran municipal council elections ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20930]

"The constitution allows for the formation of parties. There were more than 100 registered political organizations, but these groups tended to be small entities, often focused around an individual and did not have nationwide membership.

Following the June 2005 presidential elections, these political groupings significantly reorganized, with new groups forming and existing entities changing leadership. Conservative groups splintered during the year; moderate conservatives appeared increasingly separated from fundamentalist conservatives.

In the December 15 municipal elections, reform groups created a single electoral list for the Tehran municipal council elections."

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Political parties ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 8308]

"[...]The constitution permits the establishment of political parties, professional syndicates, and other civic organizations, provided they do not violate the principles of “freedom, sovereignty and national unity” or question the Islamic basis of the republic. In 2002, the 44-year-old Iran Freedom Movement was banned on such grounds and 33 of its leading members imprisoned. In 2004, at least four prominent human rights activists were prevented by the authorities from traveling abroad.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

Political parties ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31980],  [ID 8309]

"[...]5.8 According to Europa 2004 the Islamic Republican Party (IRP) was founded in 1978 to bring about the Islamic Revolution under Ayatollah Khomeini. After the Revolution the IRP became the ruling party in what was effectively a one-party state. In June 1987 Ayatollah Khomeini officially disbanded the IRP at the request of party leaders, who said that it had achieved its purpose and might only ‘provide an excuse for discord and factionalism’ if it were not dissolved. [1a](pg371) A list of political organisations is at Annex B.
5.9 According to the LOC/FRD report of September 2004, "Official political activity is permitted only to groups that accept the principle of political guidance known as velayat-e faqih. Political parties were legalized in 1998, and at least 25 were present in the Sixth Majlis (2000–2004). Eighteen of these parties joined in a broad coalition called the Dovum-e Khordad Front. These were all reformist parties that supported the political and economic proposals of President Khatami; internal differences over many specific economic policies hampered the Front’s effectiveness, however. The Conservatives have been more united in recent years, although there are three major parties, of which Builders of Islamic Iran emerged as a political force by winning a majority of Majlis seats in the 2004 elections". [79a] (pg14)
5.10 According to a report on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 28/12/98 issued by the United Nations: Economic and Social Council Commission on Human Rights, of the unregistered parties within Iran, some, such as the “Iran Nation Party” had been tolerated. [10m](pg11) However, in November 1998 the leader of that party, Dariush Forouhar, and his wife Parvaneh Forouhar, were murdered by unknown assailants. Three senior members of INP were arrested at the outbreak of the street riots in July 1999, accused of provoking riots and using anti-Islamic slogans. [5s] Nine activists were reportedly killed in the decade to 1998. [10m](pg11) [...]"

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03.03.2003 - Source: BBC News

Iranian reformers engulfed by fundamentalist election landslide ("Iran election 'an alarm bell'") [#11282],  [ID 8311]

Document(s): Open document

24.02.2003 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Article on the February 2003 municipal-council elections: candidates and party activities ("Campaigning Begins in 2003 Municipal - Council Elections") [#11281],  [ID 8312]

Document(s): Open document

30.07.2000 - Source: NetIran

List of Legally Registered Parties in Iran, including names of founders and licence date ("List of Legally Registered Parties in Iran") [#38188],  [ID 8313]

Document(s): Open document

02.2000 - Source: NetIran

NetIran: Formation of parties ("Parties in Iran") [#10625],  [ID 8314]

"Article 26 of Iran's Constitution allows formation of parties, societies, political or professional associations and Islamic or other religious societies of recognized minorities. The law on activities of parties and political groups was approved in Iran in 1981 by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) but its enforcement was postponed until the year 1989. Before inauguration of President Mohammad Khatami in 1997, some 39 parties, political societies and associations received permits from the Article 10 Commission of the Interior Ministry. By January 2000, the number rose to 103. Thus, during the 28 month operation of President Khatami's administration, 64 new parties and groups were granted operation permits. According to Article 10 of the Parties Law, a commission comprising representatives of the State Prosecutor General, political judicial council, the Interior Ministry and two Majlis deputies are delegated with the responsibility of issuing operation permit for parties and supervising over them. The membership period in the commission is two years.

Despite this, the number of important and active political parties and groups in Iran hardly exceeds a dozen. Jame'e Rouhaniyate Mobarez, Jamiate Moutalefeye Eslami, Majma'e Rouhanioune Mobarez, Jebheye Mosharekate Irane Eslami, Hezbe Kargozarane Sazandegi and Mojahedine Enqelabe Eslami are among the important and active parties."

Document(s): Open document

04.10.1981 - Source: NetIran

Parties Law and Its Relevant Executive Regulations of 04 October 1981 ("Parties Law and Its Relevant Executive Regulations") [#24969],  [ID 8310]

Document(s): Open document