On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), participated in the official sessions of two major political groups at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg. She was invited by the European People’s Party Group and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group. During these meetings, Mrs. Rajavi presented her vision for a free and democratic Iran and called for global solidarity in the fight against Iran’s oppressive regime.

The session of the European People’s Party Group was chaired by Mr. Pablo Hispán, who expressed his appreciation for Mrs. Rajavi’s participation. In his opening remarks, Mr. Hispán commended her leadership in the Iranian Resistance movement and her ongoing efforts to bring democracy to Iran. He acknowledged her pivotal role in advocating for women’s rights, stating that under her leadership, women have taken on a pioneering role in the Resistance. He further noted that Mrs. Rajavi’s opposition to the fundamentalist regime in Iran is rooted in her belief in a tolerant and democratic interpretation of Islam.

Maryam Rajavi addressing the group meeting of the European People’s Party at the Council of Europe

In her speech, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi highlighted the Iranian regime’s missile attacks on October 1, describing them as a clear reminder that “the head of the snake of terrorism and warmongering” in the region is the religious dictatorship ruling Iran. She emphasized that the regime’s external aggressions are closely linked to its internal repression, stating that “warmongering and exporting terrorism are the other side of the coin of suppression, killings, and executions in Iran.”

Rajavi pointed to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s comment that without external military involvement, the regime would face its “enemy” within Iranian cities—referring to the growing internal dissent and the Resistance Units. She explained that the regime’s survival depends on maintaining proxy forces and exploiting national resources, adding, “As long as this regime is in power, the Middle East will not experience peace and tranquility.”

She also called for international recognition of the Iranian Resistance’s efforts to establish a democratic republic in Iran, underscoring that “recognizing the alternative and establishing a democratic republic are necessary for peace and security in the region and the world.”

Rajavi condemned the regime’s prioritization of nuclear ambitions and regional instability over the welfare of its people, noting that 80% of Iranians live below the poverty line while oil revenues are used to fund proxy terrorist groups and regional conflict. She also referenced Iran’s involvement in launching drones into Ukraine, further illustrating the regime’s global destabilization efforts.

Rajavi concluded by urging European countries to support the NCRI’s “No to Executions” campaign, to make diplomatic relations contingent upon ending state-sponsored executions and terrorism, and to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Intelligence as terrorist organizations. She declared, “Democracy in Iran and peace and tranquility in the region can only be achieved by overthrowing this regime,” and called on Europe to recognize the efforts of young Iranians and Resistance Units working to bring an end to the religious dictatorship.

Mr. Hispán praised Mrs. Rajavi’s decades-long struggle against the Iranian regime’s systematic human rights abuses. Over the past decade, she has led the justice-seeking movement for the victims of mass executions in Iran and spearheaded an international campaign against capital punishment. According to Mr. Hispán, her leadership and tireless activism have become symbols of hope for the Iranian people’s fight for freedom.

At the meeting of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, chaired by Mr. Eerik-Niiles Kross, Mrs. Rajavi received a warm reception. Mr. Kross introduced her as the President-elect of the NCRI, a broad coalition of Iranian democratic movements. He emphasized that Mrs. Rajavi holds a degree in Metallurgy and has been at the forefront of the movement’s efforts to bring democracy to Iran. Under her leadership, women have taken leading roles in the struggle for equality, and she advocates for a tolerant and democratic interpretation of Islam, opposing fundamentalism.

Mr. Kross also highlighted Mrs. Rajavi’s extensive writings on women’s rights and the dangers of Islamic fundamentalism. He mentioned that her older sister was killed by the Shah’s regime, her younger sister was executed by the current regime, and that one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law were also executed, while another brother-in-law was assassinated in Geneva. Over the past decade, Mrs. Rajavi has led a justice-seeking movement for the victims of executions and has campaigned against capital punishment both inside and outside Iran.

During her visit to the Council of Europe, Mrs. Rajavi met with Mr. Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Their discussions focused on the grave and systematic violations of human rights in Iran, the regime’s warmongering policies, and the ongoing social and political resistance movements within the country. Mrs. Rajavi emphasized the growing protests in Iran and the crucial role of the Resistance in countering the regime’s efforts to suppress the Iranian people.

In meetings with delegations from various European countries, including Italy, Ireland, Slovenia, Finland, and San Marino, Mrs. Rajavi discussed the increasing executions in Iran and the regime’s use of terrorism and warfare to maintain power. She pointed out that these brutal internal policies are inseparable from the regime’s aggressive behavior abroad, including its export of terrorism and fundamentalism.

The European representatives expressed their support for the Iranian people’s struggle for democracy and their resistance against the oppressive regime. In turn, Mrs. Rajavi urged European countries to back the international campaign “No to Execution” organized by the Iranian Resistance.

In her speeches at the Council of Europe, Mrs. Rajavi referred to the recent missile attacks launched by the Iranian regime, stating that these military aggressions underscore the regime’s status as a central source of terrorism and war in the region. She stressed that the regime’s warmongering and export of fundamentalism are inextricably linked to its internal repression and mass executions, both of which are key to its survival strategy.

Mrs. Rajavi further highlighted the appalling human rights situation in Iran, pointing out that since August alone, following the election of Pezeshkian as the new President, 223 people have been executed. She explained that the regime’s use of terrorism and regional wars forms part of a broader strategy of repression aimed at preventing popular uprisings. Despite the brutal crackdown, however, the flame of resistance continues to burn, and activities of Resistance Units and anti-regime protests have intensified.

Mrs. Rajavi concluded her speeches by urging Europe to stand with the Iranian people and their Resistance. She called for an end to the policy of appeasement, which has allowed the regime to continue its crimes. She proposed several actions that European countries should take, including supporting the campaign against executions in Iran, making diplomatic and trade relations contingent upon an end to executions, terrorism, and hostage-taking, holding the regime’s leaders accountable for crimes against humanity, and designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Intelligence as terrorist entities.

Mrs. Rajavi emphasized that the downfall of the Iranian regime is a prerequisite for peace and stability in the region. She concluded by urging Europe to recognize the legitimate right of the Iranian people and Resistance Units in their fight to overthrow the regime and establish a free and democratic Iran.