The Organization of Iranian People's Fedaian (Majority) (OIPFM), whose International Department is located in Cologne, Germany, states on its Website that it is the successor organization to the Organization of Iranian People's Fedaian Guerrillas (OIPFG) (OIPFM 2001). The OIPFG was founded in February 1971 by two activist groups (ibid.). The first one, led by Bijan Jazani, was founded in 1963 and found its inspiration in the Tudeh party and the National Front (ibid.). The other, founded in 1967 and led by Ahmadzade and A.P. Pouyan, emerged from the growing student movement in Iran (ibid.). Both groups merged when they concluded that only armed struggle could put an end to "the powerful American influence in Iran and the harsh repression against liberal dissidents" under the Shah's regime (ibid.). In 1981, following the Iranian Revolution, the OIPFG announced it was no longer in favour of guerrilla warfare and changed its name accordingly (ibid.).

No further information on the OIPFM could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

The Organization of Iranian People's Fedaian (Majority) (OIPFM). 2001. "History of the Organization of Iranian People's Fadaian (Majority). http://www.fadai.org/english.htm [Accessed 23 Sept. 2003]

Dialog

IRB databases

Internet sites, including

Amnesty International

European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI.net)

Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Intelligence Resources Program

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Iran News

Leftist Parties of the World

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)

World News Connections (WNC)