Political Parties Law

Legislation ratified by Parliament in 1360 (1981), amendments made by the Interior Ministry in 1368 (1989)

The law regarding the activities of political and professional parties, groups, and organizations, and Islamic associations, or recognized religious minorities

Official newspaper number 10676 – 30/7/1360 [3/11/1981]

Number 57082 dated 16/7/1360 [18/10/1981]

Interior Ministry:

The law regarding the activities of political and professional parties, groups, and organizations, and Islamic associations, or recognized religious minorities that was passed in the session of the Majles (Parliament) [Majles-e Shoraay-e Eslami] on 7/6/1360 [9/9/1981]; and was approved by the Guardian Council; and, based on the letter of the temporary presidential committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran (numbered 612 and dated 11/7/1360 [13/10/1360]) was submitted to the Prime Minister; is hereby submitted in order to take effect.

Prime Minister: Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani

The law regarding the activities of political and professional parties, groups, and organizations, and Islamic associations, or recognized religious minorities

Section One: Definitions

Article 1

A political party, society, association, political organization, etc. is an organization that has a manifesto and charter and is established by a group of individuals committed to a specific ideology and political thought.  The aims, programs, and actions of this organization are in some way related to the fundamental directions of the country and the general direction of the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Article 2

An association, society, trade union, etc. is an organization that has been established by a group of individuals who have a specific business, craft, vocation, or trade.  The programs and actions of this organization are related to the overall benefit of that particular group.

Article 3

The Islamic association of each governmental, educational, professional, industrial, or agricultural entity is an organization made up of volunteers from that entity whose aim is to understand and introduce Islam, promote virtue and prohibit vice [amr be ma’rouf va nahi az monker], and advertise and promote the Islamic Revolution.

Article 4

Religious minority associations (religious minorities are the main concern of Article 13 of the Constitution) are organizations made up of volunteers from that religious minority whose aim is to solve the problems and examine the religious, cultural, social, and welfare issues related to that community.

Article 5

The following articles of this law refer to political parties, groups, Islamic associations, or recognized religious minorities as described in Article 26 of the Constitution.

Section Two: Rights of the Groups

Article 6

Group activities are permissible as long as the groups do not commit any of the violations described in Article 16 of this law.

Clause 1.  All groups are obliged to inform the Interior Ministry of their manifesto, charter, the identity of the board of directors, and any subsequent changes in them.

Clause 2.  Organizing public demonstrations is permissible under the following conditions: the Interior Ministry has prior knowledge.  No weapons are carried.  The Article 10 Commission does not find the event incongruent with Islamic basics.  Also, gatherings in public parks and squares are allowed as long as a permit is obtained from the Interior Ministry.

Article 7

All members of the dissolved SAVAK (the Shah’s secret police), freemasons, those who between 22 Mordad 1332 (August 19, 1953) and 22 Bahman 1357 (February 11, 1979) were ministers or members of the Senate or Congress [Shoraye Melli], members of the previous regime, members of the Rastkhiz party, and all those whose social rights have been revoked by court rulings according to Islamic laws are prohibited from forming or joining the board of directors of any political groups and parties.

Article 8

The Interior Ministry is given the authority to issue permits and register groups in accordance with this law.

Article 9

The application for issuing the permit, which will be filed according to the executive directions of this law, will be submitted by the Interior Ministry to the Article 10 Commission within at most one month. After confirmation by the Commission, permits signed by the Interior Minister will be issued to the groups within ten days.

Article 10

In order to issue permits to the applicants, to monitor the activities of the groups, and to perform other duties stipulated in this law, a Commission will be established in the Interior Ministry with the following membership:

1.       Representative of the Attorney General of the country

2.       Representative from the Supreme Judiciary Council [Shoray-e A’ali-e Ghaza’ii] (1)

3.       Representative of the Interior Ministry

4.       Two representatives elected by the Majles (Parliament) from candidates from inside or outside of the Majles who are nominated by one of the MP’s.  These candidates must be introduced in writing to the internal commission of the Majles at one week prior to the election. Election of these representatives must be announced by the speaker of the Majles in an official session at least 15 days prior to vote-taking.

Clause 1.  The mentioned representatives must be introduced to the Interior Ministry within one month of ratification of this law and the Interior Minister is obliged to form the first commission within a maximum of ten days after that.

Clause 2.  The above-mentioned representatives are elected for a period of two years.

(1) Considering the revisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, “Supreme Judiciary Council” has been changed to “Head of Judiciary” [Raiis-e Ghove Ghaza’ii].

Article 14

Groups applying for permits must directly express their allegiance to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran in their manifesto and charter.

Article 15

Any changes in the board of directors, manifesto, and charter of groups must be reported to the Article 10 Commission and must be verified by the commission.

Clause 1.  If the announced changes in the manifesto or charter contradict Article 14 or the new members of the board of directors do not meet the qualifications mentioned in Article 8, the Article 10 Commission will suspend the permit of the group.[1]

Clause 2.  The group whose permit has been suspended has the right to complain to the courts within one month from the suspension of the permit and its announcement in a widely circulating newspaper.  The court must hear the case within three months and issue a final verdict.

Article 16

Groups subject to these laws must avoid the following things in their publications, gatherings, and activities:

A.      Actions that will jeopardize the independence of the country.

B.      Any contact, information exchange, collusion, and conspiracy with embassies, representatives, government agencies, and political parties of foreign countries at any level and in any way that is harmful to the freedom, independence, national unity, and interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

C.      Receiving any financial and material assistance from foreigners.

D.      Violation of the legitimate freedom of others.

E.       Spreading accusations, defamations, and rumors.

F.       Damaging national unity and actions that lead to the disintegration of the country.

G.      Promoting divisions within the different sectors of the nation by manipulating cultural, religious, and racial differences present in Iranian society.

H.      Damaging Islamic principles and the fundamentals of the Islamic Republic.

I.         Anti-Islamic propaganda and spreading deviant books and publications.

J.        Concealing, keeping, and carrying illegal weapons and ammunition.

Article 17

In case the activities of a group are the source of violations mentioned in Article 16, the commission may take action as detailed below:

1.       Written reminder

2.       Warning

3.       Suspension of permit

4.       Request of dissolution from the courts

Article 18

The budget of the groups must be provided through legitimate and lawful means and must be spent in a legitimate and lawful manner.

Article 19

Within one month from the date of ratification of this law, the Supreme Judiciary Council is obliged to form a judiciary court jury according to Article 168 of the Constitution, and to present [it] to the Majles according to Article 74 of the Constitution.

The above law, containing nineteen articles and nine clauses, was ratified by the Parliament [Majles-e Shoraay-e Islami] during its session on Saturday, the seventh of Shahrivar of the year one thousand, three hundred and sixty [August 29, 1981].

Speaker of the Parliament [Majles-e Shoraay-e Eslami]- Akbar Hashemi

Official newspaper number 10676-30/6/1360 [21/9/1981]

16/7/1360 [8/10/1981]

Number: 30530

Date: 9/4/1361 [30/6/1982]

Ratification letter of the cabinet of ministers

In the name of God, the compassionate and merciful

Ministry of Interior

The cabinet, at a meeting on 30/3/1361 [20/6/1982], according to the recommendation number 43/4/2006 by the Ministry of Interior, dated 31/1/1361 [20/4/1982], has ratified the law regarding the activities of political and professional parties, groups, and organizations, and Islamic associations, or recognized religious minorities in accordance with the law ratified by the Parliament [Majles-e Shoraay-e Islami] on 7/6/1360 [29/8/1981].  This law is ratified according to the following directives:

FIRST SECTION: Establishing Groups

Article 1

In these by-laws, the word “groups” or “group” will be used instead of “political parties, organizations, gatherings, and associations.”

Article 2

The founding members of the group (the founding board) are individuals that meet the following criteria:

A.      Must not have a background as described in Article 7 of the Law for Political Parties.

B.      Must be at least 25 years of age.

C.      Recognition of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

D.      Iranian Nationality.

E.       Must not have a criminal record or be deprived of social rights.

Clause 1. The minimum number of the founding board is 3 people.

Article 3

Applicants for establishing groups in Tehran and other cities must submit the following documents to the governor’s office and receive a receipt:

A.      Application form from the Interior Ministry in 5 copies.

B.      The identification papers for the board of directors and the executive board according to the Interior Ministry form in 5 copies.

C.      Manifesto, charter, and disciplinary-financial by-laws of the group in 2 copies.

D.      Certified copy of the birth certificates of members of the board of directors and the founding and executive boards, each in 4 copies.

E.       Certificate of a lack of criminal record for each member of the board of directors and the founding and executive boards.

F.       Recent photo showing the entire face, 6×4, 6 pieces.

Clause 1. Board of directors is made up of people who determine the general policies of the group.The founding board is the group of people who are responsible for establishing the group.

The executive board is the group of people who carry out the decisions of the leadership board and conduct all other activities of the group.

Clause 2. The manifesto of the group must explain the following features of the group:

A.      Ideologies, outlook on recognized religions, and issues relating to the spheres of culture, economics, politics, society, the governing system [nezam], bureaucracy, judiciary, and the legislative system.

B.      The aims for establishing the group.

C.      The policies that will be chosen to achieve thes aims.

Clause 3. The charter must contain the following points:

A.      Type of organization.

B.      Units that make up the organization and explanation of the duties and kinds of activities, as well as the limitations and responsibilities of each.

C.      The procedure for ratifying the charter and manifesto as well as the procedure for changing or amending these documents.

D.      The procedure for ratifying the executive by-laws and executive orders.

E.       The procedure for selecting the board of directors and executive officials.

F.       Financial resources.

G.      Conditions for membership.

H.      Procedure for dissolving.

Clause 4.  The Article 10 Commission is charged with determining the eligibility of the officials in each unit of the organization.

Article 4

Request for establishing secondary offices in each provincial town must be presented to the local governor [Farmandari-e mahal]. The governor, while considering security, political, and social issues related to the request, will issue an opinion and send it to the provincial governor.  The provincial governor will issue a definitive opinion and forward the request and decision to the Interior Ministry.

Clause 1.  Locations of warehouses, publishing houses, classes, exhibitions, libraries and similar establishments are subject to the above article.

Clause 2.  Besides locations mentioned in Article 4 and the first clause of Article 4, groups are not allowed to be active in any other locations without the notification and permission of the Interior Ministry. Violators will be subject to legal action.

Article 5

Any changes to the charter and manifesto must be reported to the Interior Ministry through the relevant governor at least one week before taking effect.

Clause 1.  After confirmation by the Article 10 Commission, the charter and manifesto and any changes made in them must be published, at the expense of the group, in an official newspaper in the Islamic Republic.

Clause 2.  After publication in an official newspaper in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the changed charter and manifesto are official and may be put into effect.

Article 6

Any changes in the board of directors and executive officials of the group must be announced to the local governor in writing, in an official letter stamped with the official seal of the group.

Clause 1.  New members of the board of directors or the executive board must personally appear at the local governor’s office and present their official introductory letter(s) from the group and fill out the paperwork relating to their personal profile(s).

Article 7

The Interior Ministry is charged with all the preliminary tasks necessary for the decision-making work of the Article 10 Commission (receiving requests, completing the necessary forms, necessary research, and similar things).

Article 8

After the applicant has submitted all the documents mentioned in the law, the Interior Minister will conduct the necessary background search regarding the founding board and other officials within a month and forward the collected file to the Article 10 Commission and give the applicant an application number.

SECOND SECTION: Article 10 Commission of the Law for Activities of Parties 

Article 9

The location for the Article 10 Commission meetings is the Interior Ministry.

Article 10

The commission will be official with a quorum of at least 4 of its members.

Article 11

The Interior Minister will choose someone as the secretary of the commission.(1)

(1)    This article was amended in the 7/9/1378 [28/11/1999] meeting of the cabinet of ministers at the suggestion of the Interior Ministry.  The previous text of this article was the following:

Article 11

In their first official meeting, members of the commission will choose a secretary from amongst themselves and from the outside. 

Clause.  The secretary of the commission, if chosen from outside the commission, does not have the right to vote.

Article 12. 

The Interior Ministry will provide any personnel needed by the secretariat of the commission.

Clause.  The necessary credit for the expenses of the commission will be provided under the social and political program of the budget of the Interior Ministry.

Article 13

Managing the sessions of the commission is the responsibility of the representative of the Interior Ministry.

Article 14

All correspondences and invitations must include the signature of the secretary.

Article 15

The responsibility for programming, calling sessions to order, and issuing invitations to the other members of the commission is with the secretary.

Article 16

The commission may invite experts and representatives from other institutions for the purpose of consultation.

Clause.  Consultants do not have the right to vote.

Article 17

Invitation from other organizations or experts may be issued upon the suggestion of any one member of the commission with the agreement of two other members.

Article 18

The decisions of the commission are considered official and effective with at least 3 votes.

Article 19

The decision regarding acceptance or rejection of a group application is the responsibility of the commission.  It will be made after the submission of the complete file that includes the opinion of the Interior Ministry.

Article 20

The commission is required to announce the start date of the processing of each application to the Interior Ministry and the applicant.

Article 21

The Article 10 Commission will process cases involving violations of the law by any group or organization outside of its regular queue.

Article 22

Suspension of the group’s license will be announced to the group in writing and will be advertised in widely circulating newspapers.

Article 23

Before proceeding to a new file, the commission is required to announce the result of the review of the previous file.

Article 24

Amendment of any procedures or internal codes and any changes made in them will be approved upon the agreement of an absolute majority.

Article 25

Any member of the commission that resigns his post is obligated to attend all sessions as before until a replacement is designated.

Article 26

At most one month before the end of the term of any member of the commission, the Interior Ministry will announce the conditions for designating new members to the relative authorities.

Article 27

After ratifying the executive by-laws, the commission, in its first official session, will draw and ratify its procedures and internal codes.

THIRD SECTION: Demonstrations and Gatherings in Public Parks and Squares

Article 28

For gatherings and speeches in public parks and squares, written permission from the Interior Ministry must be obtained according to Article 6 of the Law for Political Parties.

Article 29 

In order to allow for the observation called for in Article 10 of the Law for Political Parties, groups are required to report any gatherings that constitute group activities to the Article 10 Commission.  This should be done via the local governor and the Interior Ministry.

Article 30

The request for holding demonstrations and gatherings must be submitted in writing and in person by the recognized representative of the group to the Interior Ministry.  This should be done at least one week before the date of the demonstration.

Clause. For demonstrations and gatherings where the timing–for various reasons–is unpredictable, observance of the one-week deadline is not necessary and is at the discretion of the Interior Ministry.

Article 31

For organizing demonstrations and gatherings, a group is obliged to submit to the Interior Ministry a commitment regarding the absence of weapons and absence of activities that jeopardize the foundations of Islam and security.

Article 32

When submitting the request before a demonstration or gathering, the group is obliged to specify the following points and submit the necessary documentation:

A.      The subject of the demonstration or gathering and the goal for holding it.

B.      The date and hours of the demonstration.

C.      The route of the demonstration and the start and finish.

D.      The location of speeches and the reading of the resolution.

E.       Complete identification of the organizing and security personnel of the event must be submitted in an introductory letter from the relevant group.

F.       Speakers and the topics of the speeches.

G.      Slogans of the demonstrations.

H.      One copy of the prepared resolution.

I.         One copy of the internal plan and method for maintaining order of the demonstration.

Article 33

Any changes in the event planned must be reported to the Interior Ministry at least three days in advance of the event and must take place with the previous written agreement of the Interior Ministry.

Article 34

At the end of the event, the internal security official must submit a report, including the demonstration or speeches, complete with audio recording of the speeches, to the Interior Ministry.

Article 35

All reminders in the Interior Ministry permission letter must be followed through (1).

(1) In the cabinet meeting dated 27/10/76, this article was amended based on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry.  The previous text of this article was the following:

 

Article 35

Issuance of the written permit from the Interior Ministry will be based on the approval of the Article 10 Commission.

Clause 1. All reminders in the Interior Ministry permission letter must be followed through.

Clause 2.  Consideration of cultural issues includes the following:

A.      Development of the language specific to the religious minority through private classes or publications.

B.      Establishing schools and other cultural institutes such as a printing press, language school, and art house.

Clause 3.  Consideration of social issues includes the following:

A.      Creating charities.

B.      Creating health centers.

C.      Creating production and distribution cooperatives.

D.      Creating kindergartens and houses for the elderly.

E.       Holding ethnic feasts and celebrations.

F.       Organizing scientific, recreational, and religious tours.

Article 36

In provincial towns, the local governor will collect the necessary documents for a demonstration or speech or gathering and, along with his own opinion, will forward them to the relevant provincial governor.  The provincial governor in turn will issue on his own a definitive opinion and forward them to the Interior Ministry for a final decision.

SECTION FOUR: Religious Minorities

Article 37

Applicants for religious minority associations (the main concern of Article 13 of the Constitution) must be members of a recognized religious community.

Article 38

The founding manifesto of the association must state the specific goals of the association that address the religious, cultural, social, and welfare issues and problems specific to that community.

Clause 1.  Religious issues include the following cases:

A.      Holding the usual religious ceremonies.

B.      Holding religious celebrations, holidays, and mourning ceremonies.

C.      Holding publicity/advertising speeches or seminars.

D.      Publication of religious articles and magazines.

E.       Repairing shrines and holy sites.

Article 39

All cases described in Article 38 and its clauses must not contradict the laws of the land and determination of conformity to the law (or lack thereof) is with the Article 10 Commission.

Article 40

In addition to the conditions stipulated in the third clause of Article 3 of the executive by-laws of the Law for Political Parties, the charter of the religious minorities associations must include the following points:

A.          The association’s relationships with other religious minorities.

B.          The association’s relationship with group and political parties in the country.

C.          The association’s relationship with adherents of the same religion in other countries.

D.          The association’s relationship with foreign adherents of the religion inside Iran.

E.           The association’s relationship with foreign adherents of the religion living outside of Iran.

Article 41

Different religious or minority associations can form a common association together.

Prime Minister – Mir Hussein Moussavi

In the meeting dated 7/5/1368 [29/7/1989], following the Interior Ministry recommendation number M/16422 dated 10/7/1368 [2/10/1989], the executive by-laws of Islamic associations in administrative entities was ratified by the cabinet of ministers according to the following rules:

Executive by-laws of Islamic associations in administrative entities

Article 1.  Description:

Islamic associations are organic organizations that are made up of volunteer forces and are devoted to Islam, rule of jurisprudence, the constitution, and are proponents of Islamic rules; they are in pursuit of self-sacrificial and selfless activities and are proponents of understanding and unity who, in aiming to deepen the achievements of the revolution and spreading an Islamic culture in the work place, and in cooperating with officials towards realizing the goals of the Islamic revolution, are established in every administrative office and have an independent legal status.

Clause 1.  Administrative offices and entities include ministries, government organizations or public institutions, and offices of provincial administrators that, according to the law, have specific responsibilities.

Clause 2.  In military, security, and intelligence units and related organizations that possess ideological and political characteristics, or similar units, Islamic associations will not be established.

Clause 3. Establishing Islamic associations in private offices and entities is legal as long as there are volunteers and the conditions outlined in these by-laws are met.

Article 2.  Goals:

A.  To make an effort in understanding and introducing the pure Islam of Mohammad (PBUH) and the growth and spread of its values through:

1.  Formation of ideological, cultural, and political classes for members and interested persons.

            2.  Formation of libraries, distribution of Islamic books, audio, and publications.

            3.  Holding religious ceremonies and group prayer.

            4.  Holding meetings and sermons for various occasions.

5.  Holding religious, cultural, investigative, and artistic exhibitions, camps, and gatherings.

Clause.  Prayer leaders of offices and institutions will be designated with the approval of the relevant management.

B.  To make an effort towards realizing the religious concept of “Invitation to Virtue and Prohibition of Vice” [amr be ma’rouf va nahi az monker] in order to protect Islamic values through:

1.  Principled, reasonable, and counseling encounter with all signs of corruption and depravity towards creating a healthy and favorable environment for the growth and blossoming of ethical virtues.

2.  Efforts towards obtaining an Islamic perspective and morality, and familiarization with the conditions and rules of the religious principle of “Invitation to Virtue and Prohibition of Vice” and efforts to actualize them while considering the following points:

– Communication and private discussion in accordance with the rules of             “Invitation to Virtue and Prohibition of Vice” within the framework of                  Sharia laws.

                        – A reasonable and private report, in writing, to the proper authority.

– A report on the incident to the competent authorities such as security, the investigative board for office violations, disciplinary committees and officials of related units, and — in the case of reaching no conclusions — to national authorities.

C.  Maintaining and protecting the achievements of the Islamic Revolution through presence in various arenas such as devotional and political activities and actions of the people; and confronting arrogant agents of the East and the West according to the prevailing stipulations in the country.

Article 3.  Sections:

The sections of the Islamic association include the general membership [majma’-e omoumi] and the central council.

The general membership is the highest authority for decision-making in the Islamic association and its responsibilities and authorities are the following:

1.       Hearing the report of the central council.

2.       Determining policy and outlook for the association.

3.       Changes in the charter.

4.       Elections for a new central council.

5.       Disbanding the Islamic association.

Clause 1.  The first meeting of the general membership will be called by the founding board to ratify the charter and select members for the central council which will have a minimum of five people.

Clause 2.  The founding board will complete and present the necessary documents and forms to the regional or local governor’s office.

Clause 3.  After establishing the legal status of the Islamic association, the founding board’s functions will be transferred to the central council.

Clause 4.  Regarding already established Islamic associations, the current central council may act in the place of the founding board.

Clause 5.  The meetings are considered official upon invitation of all members and the presence of three-fourth of the membership.  In all elections, the criteria will be an absolute majority of votes by members who are present.  In the absence of a quorum, a second meeting will be held one month later that will be considered official with all those present.

Article 4.  Central council:

Every Islamic association will have one central council that must observe the relevant rules and regulations and is accountable to the general membership and the Article 10 Commission.  The central council may have a minimum number of five and a maximum number of nine members.

Clause.  The central council may not prevent the membership of any qualified person into the Islamic association without justification.

Article 5.  Only one Islamic association will be created in any one establishment.

Clause 1.  In order to be considered official, elections for the central council must be approved by a representative from the Interior Ministry or the highest responsible authority from an independent organization.

Clause 2.  In places where more than one Islamic association has been established, in consideration of the first clause of Article 5, and through cooperation of all Islamic associations, elections will be held to create a central council for one unified Islamic association.

Article 6 

Islamic associations may hold joint meetings in order to better attain the goals described in these by-laws and to establish closer ties with other Islamic associations.

Article 7

Islamic associations will be formed in entities where the number of employees is at least 100 and the number of applicants is at least 5.

Clause. Contingent upon approval from the local governor, two or more similar entities located in a close geographical location may join together in order to attain the minimum number necessary to establish an Islamic association.

Article 8.  Financial resources and facilities:

The expenses of the Islamic association will be provided for through membership dues, public donations, religious endowments [vaghf], and non-monetary donations [habeh]. All of these, not including business transactions, are allowed.

Article 9

The activities of the Islamic association must not disturb the office or entity’s regular activities, and programs scheduled during business hours must be done so with the permission of the authorities in the establishment.

Article 10

Government employees may not be full-time participants of the Islamic association.

Article 11

Members of the Islamic association must be employees of the office or entity where the association is established and they must work in the same location.

Article 12

If necessary, the representative of the president may participate in the general membership meetings of Islamic associations.

Article 13

To support, to attend to the problems of the Islamic associations, and to promote understanding and cooperation between Islamic associations and establishment management, an office will be established in the office of the presidency.

Clause.  Directives issued from this office for the improvement of and cooperation between the associations are to be carried out.

Article 14

Elections for the central council of the associations will take place once every two years.

-Prime Minister Mir Hussein Moussavi

The Cabinet Ministers’ meeting dated 13/2/1368 [3/5/1989], in consideration of the presidential letter numbered 5374/64 and dated 31/1/1366 [20/4/1987], resolved that the executive by-laws of trade unions, the subject of the legislation 11054 of 1/10/1365 [30/3/1986], should be amended in the following manner:

Executive by-laws of trade unions: a part of the Law for Political Parties ratified on 7/6/1360 [29/8/1981] by the Parliament.

Article 1

In these by-laws, “association,” “society,” “trade union,” etc. are organizations that are established by owners of specific businesses, crafts, specialties, and trades whose goals, programs, and actions are meant to, in some way, advance their special interests, whether or not they have specific requirements such as doctors, lawyers, journalists, industrialists, notaries public, society of pharmacists, union of artists and intellectuals [farhangian], pensioners’ association, etc. who are active within a geographically limited urban area.

Clause.  Associations covered by this article are obliged to conform to the following rules in their charter and present one copy of it to the Interior Ministry.

1.       Structure of the organization (definition, rights and responsibilities, board of directors, method for elections).

2.       Financial resources and the related by-laws.

3.       Conditions for membership.

4.       Mode of disbanding.

5.       Area of activity.

Article 2

In Tehran and other cities, all professional associations included in Article 1 are obliged to present the following documents to the local governor in order to obtain a permit for activity:

A.      A completed registration request form similar to the sample from the Interior Ministry.

B.      Profile of each member of the board of directors similar to the profile form of the Interior Ministry.

C.      Photocopy of all the pages of the birth certificate of each member of the board of directors.

D.      Certificate of an absence of criminal history and absence of deprivation of civil rights for each member of the board of directors.

E.       Recent photos of each member of the board of directors: 4 pieces.

Article 3

The above unions and associations are required to send one copy of their publications to the Interior Ministry on a regular basis.

Article 4

When organizing seminars and public gatherings in city squares and parks, union and professional association officials are required to submit their event program (which should not include the responsibilities already outlined in the law of trade unions) to the Interior Ministry and obtain a permit at least 10 days in advance.

Article 5

Professional associations and trade unions are not entitled to political activities or affiliation with political parties or groups in the name of the association or the union.

Article 6

The application for activity permit that may be granted according to these executive by-laws must be forwarded to the Article 10 Commission within one month.  After acceptance by the commission, the permit for the professional associations must be granted with the signature of the Interior Minister.

Article 7

Approval of the board of directors and the managing director and inspectors of the professional associations and trade unions; supervision of their activities; preventing violations of the Law for Political Parties and its executive by-laws; and investigating those violations are all the responsibility of the Article 10 Commission.

Article 8

Professional associations included in Article 1 of these by-laws shall act according to their own provisions. These by-laws are for the purpose of issuing permits and supervision over their activities.