It says that the responsible for youth issues is the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and with the existence of laws and ministries, many problems can be solved if the laws are implemented. Khalil Behrouzi Far is the representative of the eleventh term from the electoral districts of Shaft and Fouman in Gilan province and the first secretary of the Social Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

In an interview with Khat-e-Solh magazine, this representative of the parliament, while criticizing the weak performance of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, said that “there is no executive guarantee in some of the laws that have been passed in the past.” Behrouzifar also emphasized the issue of the National Youth Organization, stating that “when we have the Ministry of Sports and Youth, we do not need such an organization.”

The first secretary of the Social Commission of the Parliament, while continuing the conversation with the peace line, announced that despite the Facilitation of Marriage Law, the government has not written an executive regulation for it and said, “It has been years since this law has been gathering dust.”

In this conversation, Behroozi Farama admitted that despite all his emphasis on the issue of youth, negotiations on the seventh development plan have not yet begun in the commission and related discussions have not started.

You can read the explanation of the interview with Khalil Behrouzi Far, the first secretary of the 11th Social Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, in the following.

In April 2018, Zahra Saeedi, the former vice president of the Youth Faction of the Parliament, had announced in an interview with Radio Goftegoo that there is no specific entity responsible for addressing the problems of the youth in the country. What is your opinion? Has there been any significant change in recent years?

Of course, this matter is under the responsibility of someone. Laws have been passed regarding the issue of youth in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and the government is obligated to enforce those laws. We have various organizations related to the issue of youth. In Iran, we also have a Ministry of Sports and Youth. This indicates that this matter is under someone’s responsibility. The issue is whether those in charge of this matter are fulfilling their duties towards the youth. There are good laws in this regard. In the 1400 budget, we have seen good amounts allocated for youth and issues such as marriage and housing. There are also good amounts allocated for employment in this budget. However, it is necessary for those in charge to implement these plans. Surely, if these plans are implemented, some of these problems will be solved.

You mentioned the Ministry of Sports and Youth. How has the performance of this ministry been in regards to the concerns you mentioned?

The performance of this ministry is weak. What we see in society and the existing realities among young people indicate a very low attention to youth issues by the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

With this description, what actions has the parliament taken to improve this performance?

Some actions have been taken. In relation to the laws that we are currently passing in parliament, we are trying to ensure that there is an executive guarantee under the provisions and laws. Anyone who is responsible for enforcing the law, if they do not enforce it and do not comply with it, will be dealt with through judicial authorities. In some of the laws that have been passed in the past, there is no executive guarantee. The government can intervene in those and act according to its own discretion.

Years ago, an organization called the National Youth Organization was founded. This institution was dissolved during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Do you think there is a need for such an institution in Iran today?

“When we have the Ministry of Sports and Youth, we do not need such an organization. If this ministry is active and diligent in its duties, both in the employment sector and in relation to recreational and sports discussions in various fields, it can have a significant impact. The scope of responsibilities of this ministry is very broad. If agility is applied in carrying out the duties of this ministry, it can accomplish all of these tasks. There is no need for a national youth organization. No matter how much we increase and duplicate these organizations, institutions, and executive bodies, it will surely only result in more complexity and heavy expenses for the government.”

You mentioned employment for youth. This issue is a fundamental concern and is not limited to just the Ministry of Sports and Youth. What has the Parliament done in this regard and what actions should the government take in this area?

The government is open to what has been seen in the 1400 budget for youth employment and employment plans and can make it available to our youth. Youth who have studied in various fields. If our economy wants to grow and come out of this situation and conditions, the way is exactly what the leaders have emphasized. The discussion of leap and prosperity of production and support of production and removing obstacles that can be the driving force of economic growth in our country.

But the number of job opportunities has not yet reached the point where it can solve the issue of youth employment. What can be done about this?

The beds at the national level are not available to solve these internal issues within the country and considering internal capacities and capabilities. We must be able to identify and use them correctly. God willing, this will be achieved.

Recently, the issue of young people’s marriage has been widely discussed. Do you think emphasizing on this issue can be a solution in these economic conditions?

Of course, for the issue of young people’s marriage, incentives have been considered in the 1400 budget law. There is also a law to facilitate the marriage of young people. However, I mentioned that unfortunately the government has not yet written and announced its executive regulations. This law has been lying dormant for years. If the government were to implement this law, some of the problems young people face regarding marriage would be solved. In the 1400 budget law, we predicted in note 16 that young people under the age of 24 who get married will receive 100 million tomans. We have increased this amount from 50 to 100 million tomans. Those who get married over the age of 24 and 25 will also see an increase from 50 to 70 million tomans.

The question here is whether, considering the prices of goods in the market, is 100 million tomans enough to buy the necessary items for furnishing a house?

It’s not enough. The government has been able to provide resources to this extent. But it’s not enough. Unfortunately, the prices in the market are not the real prices. The prices have been left unchecked. Monitoring must be continuous, serious and prominent. Prices should not be as we see them. The government should not let go of its responsibilities and allow anyone to set prices as they wish. There must be order and structure. Preventing inflation and high prices is the duty of the government. The government must make every effort and sacrifice to control prices in the market. On the other hand, producers who produce goods should be supported and backed by the government. The government should not be their competitor.

These are the things that you have mentioned, they are the things that must be executed. How many of them are currently being implemented?

Undoubtedly, with proper supervision, many laws will be implemented in the best possible way. Those who do not enforce the law will also face legal consequences for deviating from and violating the law and abandoning their current actions.

These conditions are causing young workforce to leave the country, and this trend is increasing every day. What solutions does the parliament have to encourage young people, especially talented youth, to stay?

The approach of the system is to preserve young scientists, those who are elite and have creativity and innovation. One of the most important concerns of leadership in relation to the issue of elites in the country is to defend and support the rights of elites to officials and agents of the system. The process of emigration of elites has improved somewhat compared to the past. However, the infrastructure must be provided for these dear ones. Because they are interested in using what they have learned and worked hard for, and the knowledge they possess, to contribute to the economic prosperity, development, and construction of the country. God willing, the necessary conditions must be provided and I hope that in the not too distant future, the necessary conditions will be provided so that the system and the country can benefit from this valuable potential that our dear ones possess.

If you want to take a general look at the situation of youth in Iran today, what is the main problem of the Iranian youth generation?

The main problem of today’s youth is the issue of employment. If employment opportunities are provided for our youth, and they are properly supported by social resources and investments are made for them, I believe it is one of the most important and fundamental issues that needs to be addressed and solved by everyone.

The seventh development plan is on the agenda of the parliament. How much attention has been given to issues related to youth, such as their employment, in this plan?

With a vision that the leader has in relation to development and considering the plan for the economic issues and youth employment, and solving the problem of people’s livelihood by them, the seventh development plan will definitely provide a great opportunity for increasing youth employment. Surely, this issue will receive more attention in this plan.

Have discussions started in the social commission of the parliament?

No, we haven’t started discussing the seventh program in the commission yet.

If you think something has been left unsaid

Thank you and your colleagues for your efforts and kindness. Inshallah, may you be successful and prosperous under God’s protection. I wish success and good health for our dear people and hope they excel and prosper in all their endeavors.

Thank you for the time you have given to the peace line.