Jan Zahradil MEP addressed a webinar by European lawmakers on October 7, 2020, on the human rights situation in Iran.

Online Conference held under title, “Iran’s Ongoing Crimes Against Humanity, EU’s political and moral obligations”. The online event was on October 7, 2020. Dozens of members of the European Parliament attended and spoke at the conference.

MEPs made their remarks in order to condemn the horrific human rights violations witnessed on a daily basis across Iran. In addition, MEPs called on the European Union to fulfill its moral and political obligations in the face of human rights violations in Iran. They called for a firm policy by the European Union against the mullah regime in Iran. Also, they pointed out, It is high time to stand alongside the Iranian people and support their justified aspirations for a free, democratic, and non-nuclear Iran.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran(NCRI), was the keynote speaker at this conference. Her message welcomed as a democratic solution to Iran’s future. Mrs. Rajavi’s ten-point plan has widespread support from the majority of MEPs for a long time.

Jan Zahradil, MEP from the Czech Republic, President of the ECR Party (2009 – 2020), Vice Chair, European Parliament International Trade Committee

I believe that we once again found ourselves in a very crucial point of history where the region itself is becoming more unstable, we can see more regional tensions, and even conflicts there. Therefore, we should once again pay more attention to what’s going on in Iran.

The thing is that we are all aware that the very core of Iranian regime didn’t change, it is not changing, and it is not going to change without external pressure. It is fundamentalist regime, it is dictatorship, it is brutal theocracy, and it’s very foundations are contrary to some basic human rights concept as we understand it in our democratic societies.

But unfortunately, we have to admit that the EU approach didn’t change much, and that European Union and many governments in Europe are still constantly underestimating the nature of the Iranian regime, its anti-Western nature and the threat, which this regime could pose for Europe and for generally democratic societies all around the world.

Therefore, I believe that it’s once again time to push Mr. Borrell, the High Representative of Foreign and Security Policy, to start some actions and also to explain to him that it is in our common interest, in the interest of Europe, and in the interest of European democracies, not just to watch but to act.

I believe that we also can take some actions, some measures on national levels of our individual member states, but it’s important to have also some actions taken on the level of European Institutions, European Parliament, European Commission, and the European Council.

As we all know, there is only one political force, which is so well organized and so relevant that it could pose the alternative to the current regime in Iran. This is the PMOI under the leadership of Madame Rajavi.

I see no reason why we shouldn’t stop on the European level and also on national levels to cooperate more closely, more openly, and more friendly with that political force because I believe that once they take power in Iran, and I’m sure about that this day will come once, so once they take power, they will be able to turn Iran into full democratic transparent country, fight for human rights, fight for equality, fight against corruption. Therefore, I wish them to continue their work.