Javier Zarzalejos, MEP from Spain and Secretary-General of the Spanish Prime Minister’s Office (1996-2004), 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.

Javier Zarzalejos, MEP from Spain and Secretary-General of the Spanish Prime Minister’s Office (1996-2004)

Dear Mrs. Rajavi, distinguished guests, and friends from around the world, I salute you from the European Parliament.  

On the occasion of the 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty, I would like to express my deep commitment against death penalty worldwide. I would like to convey to you once again my support, so that the Iranian regime puts an end to the persistent violations of human rights and most significantly to the death penalty that the regime uses as a way of systematically wiping out the political opposition. 

Let me tell you that even speaking of the death penalty in this context seems inappropriate to me because it’s not a penalty. It is here in state murder. So far this year, the Rouhani regime has executed 198 people. A few days ago, the international community was shocked by the execution of the 27-year-old Iranian Navid Afkari.

My thoughts are with the political prisoners who are currently subject to torture, forced confessions and sentenced to death. In this regard, I would like to mention especially Atena Daemi, … and several female political prisoners whose lives are in danger.

Again, I take this opportunity to commend the work of the democratic opposition and guarantee you that the European Union does indeed listen to the plight of the Iranian people.