Iran – the fight for Human Rights and democracy continues

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(Brussels, Red) – In a landmark address at the European Parliament in Brussels, Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), provided a detailed overview of the Iranian Resistance’s vision for a future democratic Iran, marking her first visit during the new parliamentary term.

Dozens of members of the European Parliament attended, and several spoke at the event, organized by the Friends of a Free Iran parliamentary intergroup and moderated by Petras Auštrevičius from Lithuania and the Renew Europe Group.

Other speakers included Javier Zarzalejos from Spain and the EPP Group; Milan Zever (Slovenia, European People’s Party (EPP)); Carlo Ciccioli (Italy, European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR)); Rasa Juknevičienė, former Defense Minister of Lithuania (EPP Group); Arkadiusz Mularczik (Poland, ECR Group); Isabel Benjmea (Spain, EPP Group); Matej Tonin (Slovenia, EPP Group) and Estelle Ceulemans, (Belgium, Group of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats).

As the keynote speaker, Mrs. Rajavi pointed to the dire human rights situation in Iran, especially the increase in executions since the regime’s latest president took office. “The war against the Iranian people has seen 800 executions since the start of 2024…”, Rajavi said, dismissing the pervasive myth perpetuated by the regime that chaos would inevitably follow the mullahs’ ousting, emphasizing the existence of a robust alternative. She dispelled fears of instability, stating that they claim that Iran will be partitioned and descend into chaos, but this is yet another falsehood, a mere scare tactic to maintain power. A viable alternative exists – the NCRI, fortified by decades of struggle and an expansive network ready to ensure a smooth transition. Our plan has garnered extensive international support, reinforcing our readiness to govern.

Highlighting the resistance’s strategy, Mrs. Rajavi described the NCRI’s comprehensive plan to transform Iran post-theocracy that includes the establishment of a provisional government, expected to last no longer than six months, focusing primarily on organizing elections for a Constituent Assembly, which will take charge, aiming to draft, approve, and conduct a referendum on the new republic’s constitution and handing over sovereignty to the constituent assembly as the elected representatives of the Iranian people.

Mrs. Rajavi’s speech served not only as a roadmap for Iran’s potential democratic future, but also as a call to the international community to support the Iranian people’s struggle against the ruling religious dictatorship.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Auštrevičius said, “The NCRI has presented a democratic vision for Iran’s future, one that is based on human rights. The Iranian Resistance must have the right to fight the regime and the IRGC which exercises unrestrained brutality. Resistance units fight aligns with democratic values we have in Europe. The policy of appeasement has failed. The right policy choice for the European Union is to stand with the Iranian people who yearn for a democratic, secular republic. We should stand with the NCRI and Madam Rajavi so that Iran is free sooner than later.”

Marco Ciccioli noted that over the past four decades, the Iranian regime had not only violated the rights of its own people, but also endangered the security and stability of the Middle East with its aggressive policies in the region by supporting terrorist groups, suppressing domestic dissents, and interfering in the affairs of neighboring countries. He added, “Today, more than ever, the international community must stand up to these actions. We must continue to support the Iranian people who are fighting for freedom and democracy.”

Prof. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, EP Vice President (1999 – 2014), and President of the International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ), made his first appearance at the European Parliament, one year after he was the target of a failed assassination attempt. Shot at point-blank range in the jaw, he miraculously survived. “The attempt on my life a year ago was carried out by criminals working with the Iranian regime because of my unwavering support for Iran’s democratic opposition, the People’s Mojahedin of Iran and the NCRI. The Ten-point Plan, the PMOI’s vast network and the Resistance Units, show the falsity of the narrative about a lack of a viable option to the mullahs’ regime and the justification for continued appeasement. The Iranian people wants a democratic and secular republic in Iran,” Prof. Quadras said in part of his remarks.

Lauding what he termed “the courageous fight of the NCRI for democracy,” Mr. Zever noted that the NCRI has a Ten-Point Plan for the future of Iran and has everything else that is needed for transferring power to the people of Iran. “It is time for the European Union to rethink its policy and stand with the people of Iran,” the Slovenian MEP added.

Mr. Zarzalejos, who is also the Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs, said, “Mrs. Rajavi is a leader who is and continues to be a beacon of hope for the Iranian people in their quest for democracy and freedom. Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-point Plan should be the basis for any roadmap for democracy in Iran. NCRI is the only realistic and viable alternative to the regime in Iran. The European Union must review its policy towards Iran, by rejecting the claim that there is no alternative to the ayatollah regime. A crucial step in this direction is to include the IRGC in the list of terrorist organizations.”

The Italian MEP Mr. Ciccioli stressed, “As I have said many times, peace and tranquility in the region will only be achieved when this regime is overthrown, and real democracy is established in Iran. This is what the Iranian Resistance is fighting for. We must support this Resistance, because they are working not only for a better future for Iran, but also for peace and stability throughout the Middle East.”

The next speaker, Mr. Mularczik, while welcoming the presence of Mrs. Rajavi at the European Parliament, said, “We must support the Iranian people who want regime change. We must blacklist the IRGC. We are encouraged by the struggle of Iranian youth. We should support the Iranian people and the fight for democracy.”

The Lithuanian MEP Rasa Juknevičienė, added, “The struggle of women in Iran is inspiring. We must do more. An Iran free from the control of this regime is vital. A nuclear armed Iran cannot be tolerated. It would be a ticking time bomb. EU must take stronger action, including the blacklisting of the IRGC.”

She was followed by the Slovenian MEP Matej Tonin, who said, “Some forces are presenting the falsely claiming that the son of the Shah is the alternative. They are suggesting the dictatorship of the past or the current theocracy as the alternatives. The Iranian people reject both.”

The Spanish MEP Isabel Benjmea added, “We join together for the defense of freedom and democracy in Iran. We must do everything to increase pressure on the Iranian regime. I want to raise my voice for the young people of Iran.”

The Belgian MEP Estelle Ceulemans lauded Mrs. Rajavi’s efforts to bring democracy to Iran and added that the regime in Iran was not only a threat to the Iranian people, but to the region as a whole.

Former MEPs, Ryszard Czarnecki from Poland, Paulo Casaca from Portugal and Dorien Rookmaker from the Netherlands, also spoke at the conference and expressed their continued support for the NCRI and democracy in Iran and the need for the EU to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group.

The political support for those who struggle for democracy and freedom in Iran is given, but it must be followed by concrete actions. But at least, the world can see that there is a real alternative to the mollah’s regime.