Consitution
Our country, Azerbaijan, is one of the most beautiful, resource-rich, and ancient countries in the world. For this reason, it has been recognized since antiquity as a great and distinguished center of culture.
While North Azerbaijan has developed as an independent state in all spheres, the situation of South Azerbaijanis remains fundamentally different. Today, South Azerbaijanis—who constitute the majority of the Azerbaijani nation—exist only within the political framework of Iran. The history, culture, and language of Azerbaijani Turks, who form the largest national group within Iran’s political geography, have been systematically suppressed and undermined, particularly over the past century.
This reality once again demonstrates that in the modern era—marked by systematic and inhumane practices—the very existence of this great nation is being threatened through policies of assimilation.
In order to put an end to these injustices, the Azerbaijan National Front was established on the basis of shared principles and common goals. The Front brings together various public figures, political actors, and groups to work collectively toward the realization of the national aspirations of our people.
Article 1:
The program and humane-democratic ideals of the Azerbaijan National Front as stated in the 14-point appeal published on March 21, 2003:
1.1) Based on international standards, protecting the national rights of every person living in our historical lands, recognizing the right of every citizen to vote, establishing our national institutions (Parliament, executive branch and courts).
1.2) Implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
1.3) Preservation of the language, literature, history and culture of the Azerbaijani people as an independent nation, expanding the economic, social and political spheres on the path to freedom.
1.4) Creation of human unity and equality, elimination of discrimination and prejudice: gender, linguistic, religious, political and racial.
1.5) Separation of the state and government from the religious institution: secular.
Article 2:
Members of the Azerbaijan National Front, other national institutions and parties must operate under the following conditions:
2.1) To gain trust in politics, they must rely on national foundations and avoid dependence on foreigners.
2.2) They should respect the ideas, opinions, suggestions and policies of others based on democratic principles.
2.3) They should believe in the national movement as the most important issue for the Azerbaijan National Front to achieve its goal.
Article 3:
Organs of the Azerbaijan National Front:
1- Congress
2- Azerbaijan National Front Council
3- Executive Board
4- Center (Secretariat) and organizational bodies
5- Treasurer (Financial Affairs)
6- Education (Training) and Program
7- Propaganda and Promotion (Public Relations)
8- Organization
9- Research
3-1: Congress: The Congress consists of representatives elected from political bodies and parties. The Congress should be held once every 3 years:
Note 1: Political parties, national groups and other popular associations operating as organizations in southern Azerbaijan, abroad and generally in many geographical areas of the world should send their representatives to the Congress.
Note 2: The participation of members in the Congress depends on the principles of selection and a specific official must be present by the Council in this regard.
Note 3: Until the first Congress is held, the Founding Committee must perform the duties of the Council and the Executive Committee and, at the appropriate time and place, relying on the sound power of the National Front, ultimately transfer its duties to other citizens by vote of the Democratic Congress.
3-2 National Front Council: In general, the Front Council consists of 9 main members, 5 alternate members and 3 inspectors, who are elected by the Congress by secret ballot and must serve until the next Congress.
Note 1: For alternate members, those remaining after the 9 original members are elected in order of the 5 most votes. Otherwise, a re-voting for alternate members will be held.
Duties of the Council:
3.2.1) Monitoring the strategy chosen by the Congress.
3.2.2) Deciding on the proposals of the Executive Committee.
3.2.3) Deciding on the membership of national and political associations and parties.
3.2.4) Deciding on the votes and proposals of the Council and other bodies.
3.2.5) Forming an inspection and investigation commission.
3.2.6) The regular meeting of the Council must be held once a month, and the participation of the Executive Board in these meetings is important.
3-3 Executive Board: This body is elected by the Congress and must continue its activities until the next Congress. Duties of the Executive Board: The Executive Board is the only legal representative of the Azerbaijan National Front and its duties are listed below:
3.3.1) Choosing the path of struggle, strategy and tactics based on the decisions of the Congress
3.3.2) Carrying out the distribution of duties among the active persons in the institutions and organizations
3.3.3) Carrying out all financial expenditures according to the budget and submitting the first budget plan to the Council
3.3.4) Holding the Executive Board and its organizational bodies responsible for the implementation of the executive principles.
3.3.5) After the decision of the National Council, cooperating with individuals, political groups, as well as public organizations and institutions within the framework of the existing platform
3.3.6) Preparing and maintaining records of all negotiations, decisions and expenditures
3.3.7) Submitting an annual report to the Council and reporting to the Congress as a priority
3.3.8) Controlling the approvals that must be implemented after being sent to organizations and bodies
3.3.9) Responsible bodies must be under the control of the Executive Board.
3-4 Central Treasury and Organizational Bodies: It includes establishing communication between units and transmitting the decisions and opinions of the Executive Board to other bodies and keeping documents.
3-5 Treasurer (Finance): The task of this body is to prepare the budget and receive financial contributions from specific sources. After all financial matters are carried out in accordance with the statutes of the central body, the documents must be sent to the Central Council. All sources of income (concerts, exhibitions, etc.) are carried out with the permission of the Central Council.
3-6 Education and Program: The task of this body is to provide information on the political and social aspects of the front, as well as everyday issues and the way the front struggles.
3-7 Propaganda and Encouraging (Relevant Generalities): The task of this body is to establish contacts with Azerbaijanis both inside and outside the Front. Manifestos, newspapers and other publications should be prepared and distributed by the Executive Committee. Preparing interviews, conferences and disseminating the Front’s political ideas and programs through various means. In order to cover the interests of the National Front, communication, publishing, radio and television institutions in all regions of the country should operate within the framework of the Executive Committee and within the strategic framework of the National Front. Conducting interviews and programs in the local language is possible only after the decision of the Executive Committee.
3-8 Organization: Accepting members, establishing relations and interests between institutions after their establishment
3-9 Research: The head of this body is elected by the National Council and his duties are as follows:
3.9.1) Organizing executive programs and submitting his management reports to the Council
3.9.2) Submitting reports to the Executive Board after approving the candidates of the institutions.
3.9.3) Preparing the powers of individuals at certain stages.
3.9.4) Submitting a report on the results of criticisms and complaints about the work of individuals and the Front to the responsible persons.
3.9.5) Preparing a principled plan for reviewing all tasks and powers and submitting it to the Council for decision-making.
3.9.6) Identifying sources of effective documents and knowledge, collecting and utilizing documents (press, publications) related to groups inside and outside Azerbaijan.
Article 4:
Membership, its conditions and rights:
4.1) Official members are those who are members of the National Front through an organizational body. Members must meet the following conditions:
4.1.1) Must have Azerbaijani nationality and be over 18 years of age.
4.1.2) Accept the Statute of the National Front.
4.1.3) Must not be members of foreign organizations and parties.
4.1.4) Must be free from criminal activities and adhere to the principles of the Front.
4.1.5) Membership fees must be paid on time. After accepting membership, the organization must present the membership card to the individual.
4.1.6) If a member does not act in accordance with the statute, he/she will be punished as follows:
Oral warning- Written warning- Expulsion, suspension of membership for one year and deprivation of membership rights- Cancellation of membership.
4.2) Groups: Groups are composed of three types: official members, affiliates and supporters.
4.2.1) Official members: They express their opinions and votes in preparing political, social and economic programs and can make decisions on the proposals of other members.
4.2.2) Affiliates: Even if there is disagreement on social, political and other controversial issues, they must show the overall strategy of the front in advancing it.
4.2.3) Supporters: They support the programs of the National Front without directing their opinions and attention. These groups do not have the right to participate in the meetings held by the front and the decisions made.
Article 5:
Organization of National Front Representations in Different Parts of the World (Consisting of Executive Board, City Committee, Council)
5.1) Formation of temporary executive boards in different parts of the world from its members. This body will be responsible for the daily work of the National Front in accordance with the statutes.
5.2) Councils: The temporary executive board is composed of authorized persons with broad scientific opinions. The council can express its opinion on issues after consulting the executive board. The composition of the council depends on the number of National Front members in the region and their number may exceed 10, which depends on the decision of the board of directors. The discretion of the council and its arrangement must be announced from the front center.
5.3) Membership conditions: Membership must be based on the following conditions, which are at the discretion of the executive board or committee in the region:
5.3.1) Candidates express their interest by writing an application.
5.3.2) Candidates must be approved by 2 official members.
5.3.3) The organizing body shall make a decision on the new member after gathering information regarding Article 4. If necessary, after hearing the opinions of other members of the local executive board, it may express its opinion on the qualifications of these members.
5.3.4) After going through certain procedures, the applications are sent by the new organizing body to the Central Council and after presenting the membership card to these individuals, they are allowed to attend the meetings.
4) Local conferences: Local conferences of the National Front are held once a year, one person from the affiliated groups is recognized by an official letter and can participate in it.
5) Elections: If the number of local members is less than 50, all individuals can participate. If the number is more than 50, every 10 individuals can choose one person from among themselves and send them as a representative.
6) Duties of the local conference: Hearing the report of the council and the executive board. Electing the new executive committee or council with the right opinion to implement the goals of the National Front.
7) Extraordinary Conference: If the local executive committee fails to perform its duties or resigns, or does not direct the strategy of the National Front in the right direction, the local council shall notify the National Front Center and a new executive committee shall be elected within the framework of the principles. Until the election of the new executive committee, the Center shall grant temporary authority to several authorized persons to continue the activities of the local executive committee.
Article 6:
Resignation: Any responsible member shall be relieved of his/her powers for the following reasons:
6.1) Resignation and this resignation shall be approved by the Executive Committee.
6.2) If the responsible member fails to notify the local executive committee one month in advance when traveling.
6.3) If he/she fails to attend meetings three times in a row.
Article 7:
This Statute, consisting of 7 articles, was adopted at the meeting of the Founding Board of the Azerbaijan National Front on May 2, 2003.
Explanation:
This Constitution is fully consistent with and identical to the original version. Any other version that differs from this text shall be considered invalid.
This statute was updated in March 2016 and remains completely identical to the original version.