London, Thursday, October 15, 2020: The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) held an online conference in the U.K. Parliament. The event focused on the regime’s support for global terrorism that continues to threaten world security to this day.
Members of Parliament of the U.K. and Irish politicians joined the online conference. Also, many Iranians supporters of the MEK and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)from various countries participated in the event. They focused on the fact that the Iran’s regime is a critical threat to global security, which is especially true considering the mullahs’ terror plots in Europe.
Meanwhile, Asadollah Assadi, the mullahs’ regime diplomat-terrorist, is on trial in Belgium. He’s facing charges of planning a bomb-plot against the Iranian Resistance grand gathering in Paris in July 2018.
Le Monde wrote on October 10, states a bomb made of acetone peroxide, with remote control. The Bomb scheduled to explode on June 30, 2018, in Villepinte, Paris. It is a town, where the annual meeting of the National Council of Resistance of Iran(NCRI) held. “The blast wave could have spread to about 20 meters and claimed many lives, depending on the population,” said Belgian experts.
There are such dangerous threats from the regime of the mullahs ruling Iran targeting the world’s countries, especially Europe. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a firm policy against this regime.
The report of this conference is as follows:
Former MEP Struan Stevenson in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
In June 2018, Iranian regime foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was responsible for a bombing attempt against the Free Iran rally of the NCRI. The conspirators, including Assadollah Assadi, a regime diplomat are now on trial in Belgium. It is the first time that a regime diplomat is directly involved in a terrorist attempt.
The senior diplomat Assadi replaced in the Vienna embassy, was redeployed to Tirana by Zarif. Zarif had clearly instructed his new team of diplomats in Tirana that their main task was to track down members of the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization (PMOI/MEK) in the country. The regime tried to detonate a bomb at the Nowruz ceremony of the MEK.
These are not the only terror plots that bear the fingerprint of Zarif. Another regime terrorist was caught in Denmark, two others were expelled from the Netherlands. They have operated in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Turkey.
For the past four decades, the mullahs have left nothing but death in their wake. This theocratic fascist dictatorship has wrecked Iran’s economy and turned this once-great nation into an international pariah.
Iran’s jails are bursting at the seams with political prisoners, youth arrested during the November 2019 protests. In the summer of 1988, the summary execution of more than 30,000 political prisoners in Iran was the worst crime against humanity in the late 20th century. It was carried out based on a fatwa by then-supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini. Many of the perpetrators of that crime are still in key positions in the regime.
We should close all of Iran’s embassies and expel all their diplomats. Regime leaders should be indicted for crimes against humanity and brought to trial by criminal courts. The EU and UN must stop its appeasement of the mullahs’ regime.
Message of NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi delivered by Ms. Dowlat Nowrouzi, Director of the NCRI UK Office—October 15, 2020
Human rights, freedom and the desire of the Iranian people for change and establishment of a republic based on universal suffrage is at the core of the Iranian issue.
Ignoring these dimensions runs not only against the interests of the Iranian people, but would also undermine the security of the Middle East, Europe and the entire world.
Sadly, neglecting these vital dimensions has shaped the core of the policies of the European countries towards Iran.
Today the people of Iran are surrounded by the regime’s atrocities and destruction.
On the one hand, they face a catastrophic economy.
On the other hand, a large segment of the people in Iran are starving. And Iran has one of the highest inflation rates in the world.
On top of all this, regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have plundered the national wealth. Every year, they steal tens of billions of dollars from the public’s wealth or they move it abroad. In addition, billions of dollars are spent on warmongering, terrorism, as well as on missile and nuclear programs of the mullahs’ regime.
Another issue is the spread of COVID-19 in Iran. Today, the most conservative estimates put the death toll at over 125,000. The mullahs do not use the government’s revenues and resources to contain the spread of the disease. In fact, they use this situation to dishearten the people and silence their protests.
And finally, there is the mullahs’ suppression, torture and execution to preserve their regime. Today, dozens of political prisoners are on death row. The lives of those arrested during the November 2019 protests are in danger. Wrestling champion Navid Afkari and Mostafa Salehi were executed after experiencing barbaric torture.
Since December 2017, five major uprisings have erupted against the Iranian regime. These protests are sparks beneath the ashes and the daily activities of young people and Resistance Units prove this fact.
At the same time, the mullahs’ regime is very unstable. This explains why the mullahs have resorted to further terrorism abroad, particularly in Europe.
Suppression of the people of Iran on the one hand, and warmongering and export of terrorism on the other, are the two pillars for the regime’s survival.
Another unprecedented development is that an official diplomat of the regime handed over explosives to terrorists to carry out a massive bombing in the heart of Europe. He is now in jail awaiting his trial.
It is the policy of appeasement that has emboldened the mullahs and has given them free rein to conduct terrorism abroad and carry out suppression at home.
On behalf of the Iranian Resistance, I call on parliaments in Europe, particularly both legislative chambers in the UK and the parliament of Ireland, to take the lead in adopting a new policy towards Iran:
*Human rights for the people of Iran,
*A comprehensive embargo against the religious dictatorship, and
*Recognition of the Iranian people’s Resistance for freedom and democracy.
It is essential that Britain, Ireland and other European countries designate the IRGC as a terrorist group, shut down the regime’s embassies that are centers for terrorist operations, and expel the regime’s agents from European soil.
An independent international mission must investigate the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran and the slaughter of more than 1,500 protesters by Khamenei during the November 2019 uprising.
The mission must also investigate the condition of prisons and prisoners in Iran, particularly the conditions of political prisoners.
We demand the release of all political prisoners.
The dossier of the massacres of 1988 and the November 2019 uprising must be sent to the UN Security Council.
Impunity for Khamenei and other leaders of this regime should no longer be tolerated. They must face Justice.
Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers, MP, in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
It’s a great privilege for me to be able to take part in this event this afternoon. And as Struan said, I’ve taken a long stand interest in the human rights situation in Iran. And I’m afraid there can be no doubt that Iran’s theocratic dictatorship is widely recognized as a leading state sponsor of terrorism. That was expressly acknowledged by the Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence. I see the point I’ve spoken out on in Parliament following representing by my British-Iranian constituents.
Since its inception, the theocratic regime has maintained its grip on power, both for using internal repression within country but also via the spread of extremism and hatred and state terrorism abroad because they use a key part of their approach staying in power. Analyzing connection between two pillars of the regime is central to understanding the motives and tactics, and the methodology for seeking to maintain and shore up that position.
As Struan has said, the regime is heavily involved in fostering instability and conflict, terrorism in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen. For example, support huge amounts of ours to proxies like Hezbollah, they are also going to be providing assistance of Hamas, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. My British-Iranian constituent tell me the lurers are also used to terrorism to target Iranian dissidents abroad, including pro-democracy movements, such as National Council, for instance, in Iran. This is a worrying extraterritorial application of the brutal domestic crackdown on protests that other speakers have already highlighted this afternoon. So, I’m afraid not just in the war zones to the least for the impact of Iran’s activities or terrorism is being facts.
I have heard this afternoon an Iranian diplomat is due to be in trial in Belgium accused involvement in a 2018 terror plot. Iran and its IRGC are a threat in the places around the world. They are ruthlessly suppressing the democratic aspirations of Iranian for its home, and they’re causing real threats to other countries as well. It’s shocking that the UNODA, Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, against Iran is due to expire in just a few days’ time. I really regret that. I very much like to see a tougher approach to the regime by the UK Government. There is, for example, a clear case to provide the IRGC as a terrorist organization. And I urge the UK government to do this. I’d also call on the UK Government to engage Mrs. Rajavi and NCRI who are working so hard to move Iran towards a free and democratic future.
And so, I’d like to welcome the state that we just heard and read, Mrs. Rajavi. I hope that it would give hope for the future while situation in Iran is very grave. And people there are spring greatly. I hope that sometimes we will see reform, we will see democracy, we will see respect for human rights in and on, and to get it free and democratic future that people want and that they deserve. Thank you.
Toby Perkins, MP, in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Thank you very much indeed and thank you also for your inspirational speech at the start of this contribution, which I think set the tone very well. And like you, I was inspired and hope people across Iran also will be inspired by the words we heard from Maryam Rajavi earlier. she should know that she has many, many admirers in the United Kingdom, who wants to see her here speaking to us in the United Kingdom, and also look forward to the day when she will be able to walk freely and lead the people of Iran. I send my solidarity to everyone watching this event across around and displaced Iranians around the world living in exile who desperately hope that one day they will be able to walk freely down the streets in Tehran.
And just this week, I raised with the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, the case of the overall torture and human rights abuses of the Iranian regime, and specifically the execution of Navid Afkari, who was forced to confess to torture to the murder of an IRGC official during the protests in 2008, and he was despite the opposition of decent people across the world executed recently.
The Iranian regime has historically used terrorist attacks and assassination against Iranian dissidents in Europe and killed members of the NCRI in Switzerland and Italy, and in Turkey. The terrorism against the Iranian resistance is the other side of the regime’s internal repression and aims to eliminate any credible and democratic opposition to this regime. In the summer of 2018. We know the regime of Iran attempted to bomb the gathering of NCRI in Paris, which was held in support of a free and democratic Iran. And the bombing plot came as a new wave of popular protests erupted across around, which the regime said the Iranian resistance organized for and planned in months.
The regime in Iran targets the Iranian resistance, because Maryam Rajavi, as a democratic platform for the future around, which is gaining increasing support and recognition in Iran and internationally and because the NCRI is playing a crucial role in exposing the regime’s human rights violations, the terrorist activities, and their illicit nuclear program. The bombing plot in Paris was foiled and after close cooperation between security agencies and police across France, Germany and Belgium. This shows that there must be a coordinated European response based on firmness to counter the regime’s terrorism.
I agree with what’s already been said by Theresa Villiers and others that necessary steps in this regard is to designate Iran’s regime leaders and institutions like the IRGC and Ministry of Intelligence as terrorist organizations. But the UK Government must abandon a policy of appeasement, where policy of maximum pressure and firmness that recognizes and supports the democratic alternative, presented by the NCRI and backs the democratic aspirations of Iranian people for change.
I urged Dominic Raab, just this week, to increase the pressure and to increase the condemnation of the UK Government for the role of Iran in human rights abuses within Iran but also for the malicious and malignant role that it plays across the wider Middle East. And so, in ending this message, I send my solidarity to all the people of Iran, and my thanks to all those who continue to fight.
Bob Blackman, MP, in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
I thank the Chairman for that kind introduction. And dear friends and colleagues, it’s a pleasure to join with you today for this very important conference. As some people know, I’m personally involved and interested in this case against the arrested Iranian diplomat, Asadi, because I’m one of those who has filed a complaint against three Iranian regimes for its role in the terror plot as a third party in the court in Belgium.
In September 2018, I took part in a press conference in London to warn about the surge in the Iranian regime’s terrorist activities in Europe that I’m sure are being discussed before I spoke and will be discussed later today. At the conference that we had, as long ago as September 2018, NCRI UK representative office presented new details that showed that this wave of terror plots in Europe were decided at the very highest levels in Tehran, including the Supreme Leader, Khamenei, and the President, Hassan Rouhani. Now, just remember, just before the bomb plot was fold in Paris, Rouhani, who had a phone call to the French President, Emmanuel Macron. They asked the president to limit the activities of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi and her resistance movement in France. The French president, who is not necessarily someone that I strongly support, rightfully refused this demand by Rouhani because Europe is based on the right to express freedom of speech and assembly. So, the regime responded as it always does and always will do when it doesn’t get its way by using terrorism.
In July 2018, I and five other cross-party colleagues put forward an early day motion in the House of Commons, which was ultimately supported by 76 cross-party MPs. Our motion read, and I think this is worth repeating, that this house strongly condemns the attempted bombing at the gathering of the Iranian opposition in Paris. The free Iran movement strongly condemns Iran’s regime over its terrorist activities in Europe, and the misuse of diplomatic privileges, reiterates the need to try the suspects and expel other Iranian intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover. Or as ex-members of the opposition, calls for a robust policy to confront Iran’s malign activities, and reiterates this incident, which demonstrates the regime’s fear of thee MEK/PMOI, and the National Council of Resistance of Iran coalition as the democratic alternative in its exile.
So, as I listened to the other speakers today, I want to reiterate what many of the recommendations put forward today have very widespread support in the United Kingdom, in the House of Commons, and on a cross party basis. We know that the regime is a very serious threat to all of our interests. We know that the regime has attacked our embassy in Tehran, is engaged in cyber-attacks against the UK Parliament, and now we have his diplomat who is about to be prosecuted for terrorism, threatening the court and European countries with even more terrorism if he’s convicted for the terrorist charge. All of this goes to show the United Kingdom and our European allies must end the appeasement policy on Iran, and abandoned once and for all, the long-held illusion that somehow moderates will emerge from within the theocratic dictatorship and usher much needed reforms in Iran.
We were told that Rouhani is such a man by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United Kingdom as a Commons back in 2014, but we must proceed with caution. Now the reality is, it seems that the warnings were justified as terrorism has increased. And human rights situation in Iran has deteriorated under Rouhani’s tenure.
The time has now come for us to stand firm against this regime, join our American allies in pursuing the campaign of maximum pressure and support the reimposition of all United Nations sections on the regime. We were also as we’ve heard joined US in prescribing the IRGC in its entirety as a terrorist organization. As the late great Sir Winston Churchill once said, “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping that it leads him last.” Now, the regime’s terrorism has reached Europe at the time, need to act it now. The UK can now obviously act on its own, following Brexit, and support the imposition of all United Nations sections and prescribe the IRGC. And I urge our UK government to do so.
I hope the government will take the lead on a pressure campaign on the regime in Iran and lead the way for our European allies to follow. I think in ending, I have joined 83 other colleagues in the House of Commons in writing to the Foreign Secretary, calling on him to end the policy of supplying arms to Iran, which is currently still going on. We understand the supply of arms to this terrorist regime. So, thank you all for your participation in this conference today and you have my unending support, until such time as we’ve restored democracy to Iran, and installed Maryam Rajavi, and a democratic institution as the leaders of Iran. Thank you.
Sir Alan Meale in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Can I first of all say that it’s an honor to be asked about this what I determine is a very important prestigious conference discussing the whole area of terrorism. Now, can I first of all say that I want to pay tribute to the staff for the PMOI, who work tirelessly in this country and abroad to try and bring freedom in their country? I think it’s their credit at conferences like this actually go ahead with many prestigious people participating is an important Congress. Yes, of course it is. I recall that on many occasions, and its popular protest against the despotic regime in Iran that what happens is you get a very negative response from the regime over there. I find it incredible in the free world that our countries tend to participate with governments like this, who pay no regard whatsoever to dialogue, but rather the fear and terrorism on their doorstep with their own people.
I recall a few years ago, I think it was in 2009, when an important event took place, and instead of dialogue, we had then the government of Iran ordering the Motrin and rockets being fired against innocent civilians, in particular, many of those in Camp Ashraf, Now, unfortunately, response to that despicably I should say, the international community, once again, turned a blind eye to these acts of terrorism themselves. What’s more, they actually readily acquiesced to the regime because of their own self-interest. And needless to say, and thankfully, many governments have moved away from that kind of action. But nevertheless, there are many still doing.
I’m pleased to say that this sense of force for the regime in Iran hasn’t worked at all. It’s fairly particular the defense that the dissent that’s taking place in that country against the regime, for instance, that the best way to show that is to look at what is happening in Iran recently in including today. There are, on average, 12 strikes a day in Iran, protest dissidents coming out in the streets in every major town and city, throw it around. It just proves one thing, that the Iranian regime are not winning the quest for the hearts and minds of the public.
So, ladies and gentlemen, we hear that well, the regime continues the rule of terror. Now, I just recall last November, at least 1,500 protesters were killed, and thousands of others were actually tortured, receive death sentence or sacked from their jobs, and displaced from their families and communities. Not so long ago, the regime ordered one of its own diplomats to participate in attempted bombing of the annual gathering of the opposition Iranians in Paris. Indeed, I think I was there on this occasion. Now, this is a scandal on precedent in the free world and it serves to say to every country in the world who lives in a democratic area that you should have nothing whatsoever to do with this regime.
Now, I myself have participated in many meetings up down the country and abroad in support of the regional fight back and as I say, I’ve paid tribute, all the people who participate in that. Their work is magnificent because it reminds every one of us in the free world the fight that they’ve put up and I continue to put up, and it’s a fight which this complicity is reflected in. I agree with the aims of the conference, the highlight and the enlightened of the resistance to the regime and to fight for freedom. And I have no hesitation whatsoever in calling all governments in the free world to do whatever they can, whatever is necessary to support opposition to the current regime, and in particular, the support Madame Rajavi.
Former British MP & MEP Anthea McIntyre in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Thank you so much. It’s a great honor for me to be joining such distinguished colleagues this afternoon. I’m particularly aware of how much work you, Struan, have put into to this campaign, and what you have done for the people of Iran. So, I think you’re a great standard to follow.
I particularly want to pay tribute to the women of Iran. They are really playing a very active and prominent role in the popular protests, which of course, are ongoing. Women are really in the forefront of these protests. They’re challenging the regime’s misogynist and repressive policies. And just by their active participation in civil disobedience, they really are a driving force for change in Iran. They’ve been given a platform ad they’re inspired by the NCRI President Elect, Maryam Rajavi, a lady for whom I have enormous respect. She has done so much, and she is leading the Iranian resistance movement, a movement that embraces and encourages the leadership role of women.
The NCRI is in such stark contrast to this ghastly theocratic dictatorship in Iran, which has really tried to reduce women to second-class citizens. And of course, that is why the regime sees the NCRI and Madam Rajavi as a serious threat to its survival, especially as these popular protests are continuing in the country. So, the regime desperately hopes to eliminate this source of inspiration for Iranian women. And as has been mentioned already several times this afternoon, we’ve seen its terrorist operations against the NCRI’s gatherings abroad, both in Paris in June 2018 and in Albania earlier the same year. And at the same time, the regime is cracking down heavily and brutally on the protests in Iran.
A recent report by Amnesty International revealed that more than 7000 men, women, and children were arrested in connection with a nationwide protest in 2019. And it says the Iranian authorities have committed further widespread patterns of serious human rights violations. These include many forms of torture, beatings, mock executions, waterboarding, sexual violence, floggings, electric shocks, the forced administration of chemical substances, and the deprivation of medical care. In addition to this, hundreds of people have been subjected to grossly unfair trials on faceless trump top national security charges. And we’ve also seen death sentences handed down on the basis of so-called confessions obtained through torture.
So, given the gravity of the violations perpetrated and the systematic impunity that prevails in Iran, Amnesty International is renewing its call on member states of the UN Human Rights Council to mandate a UN led inquiry into the violations with of course the views to ensuring accountability and guarantees of no repetition.
The UK Government and other European countries, and I want to include her also the European Union, who have an appalling record as supporting the Iranian regime, they must all heed this call. They must take the regime’s human rights violations seriously. And the regimes state terrorism against Iranian dissidents in Europe, which of course are related issues. There must be a firm policy to counter the Iranian regime and to hold the regime’s leaders to account for these atrocities and these acts of terrorism. We must also support the Iranian people and their resistance movement for change.
So, part of this policy must include making trade and diplomatic relations with Iran contingent upon an end to support for terrorism, an end to executions, and the immediate release of all political prisoners. They must also pledge to investigate all the possible terrorist activities in Europe by the Iranian regime and to prosecute those responsible, and to expel Iranian diplomats who facilitate these crimes. It’s time we all stood up to them and supported the Iranian resistance movement, and Maryam Rajavi. And I am very privileged to be able to do so.
Steve McCabe MP in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
It’s nice to be able to join you today. I want to make some very brief comments about the situation as I see it. But let’s be absolutely clear, Iran is the leading sponsor of state terrorism. That’s the problem that we are confronting. And the regime does this for two reasons. First of all, it’s interested only in repressing its own people it own. It’s interested in stifling any dissent, it’s interested in making it impossible for people to even engage in peaceful protest. And a broad ST chairman spread this evil doctrine.
I have to silence any opposition, it wants the co-foreign governments into submission, and it wants to deny any voice to legitimate opposition. That’s why it doesn’t want the National Council for resistance in Iran to be able to speak at public events. That’s why it targets their individuals. That’s why it attempted to bomb the NCRI convention in Paris. This is a regime which engages in the most brutal of domestic policy objectives. It’s regime who intend to eliminate all opposition, and they’re willing to use anyone in order to achieve their dreams.
That’s why Assadollah Assadi is about to go on trial in Belgium, a senior Iranian diplomat, engaged complicit in an attempt to carry out a bombing operation. That is what we’re dealing with. It’s quite simple. Western governments need to stand up to this, they need to speak out, and they need to make it clear we’re not going to accept this kind of thing.
And I know some people argue this and there’s a case for these men for trying to build better relations for offering financial adjustments. They think that may make the leopards change its thoughts, they won’t. They think it may encourage progressives in Iran, it won’t.
Dealing with any gestures for Western governments as a sign of weakness, it will only serve to bolden the regime. There is only one approach we can afford to take to the present regime in Iran. That’s to see you’re excluded from the world community. You’re ostracized, we will not deal with you. You must face the consequences of your actions, either COVID-free and fair elections, and let your people go or prepare to be [inaudible 3:20] for the entire world.
Lord David Alton of Liverpool in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Colleagues and friends, it’s great to be with you today for this important conference on Iran. Once again, it gives us the opportunity to shine a light on the egregious criminality of the Iranian ruling elites. As recently as September 2nd, we were reminded of the regime systematic brutality and ruthlessness when Amnesty International published its investigative report into the actions of the Iranian authorities since the nationwide popular protests in Iran just one year ago.
We now know thousands were arrested, including women and children, and that they were subjected to widespread torture including floggings, electric shocks, stress positions, mock executions, waterboarding, sexual violence, forced administration of chemical substances, and the deprivation of medical care. And this report says that Iran’s police, intelligence and the security forces, along with prison officials were all culpable and participated in the shocking atrocities, all of which are clearly prosecutable offenses under the law. But the complicity of Iran’s judges, and the prosecutors is merely the latest example, in a long history of justice distorted, and justice denied. Forced to recall that these same authorities recently executed an Iranian wrestler champion, Navid Afkari, after arresting him and his brothers in connection with protests against the regime. This was despite an international appeal to stop his execution. It became clear to anyone who followed the case that his death sentence came after an unfair trial and a confession, which was extracted under torture.
Having been in northern Iraq a few months ago, I’m acutely I’m sadly, only too well aware of what the regime’s state terrorism and destabilizing activities mean for the stability and for the people of the region, not least for the long suffering of Kurds, Assyrians, and other minorities there.
The regime’s poisonous tentacles reach beyond the region. The organizers of today’s event are right to express their concern about how the regime openly threatens the security of Europe and European citizens by engaging in bombing plots against the opposition, the NCRI, and Iranian dissidents on European soil. In this respect, I welcome the forthcoming trial next month in Belgium of the arrested Iranian diplomat alleged to have been involved in bombing the NCRI gathering in Paris. I vociferously condemn any attempt by the regime or its agents to threaten the court in an intimidatory attempt to influence the outcome. A Great British Prime Minister once said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” That’s the time that Iran’s regime was made to answer principle, terrorism, and the long awaited denial of justice rectified.
European governments and United Kingdom were making it clear to Tehran that under no circumstances will they accept any intervention from the regime seeking to influence or to intimidate the court and to subvert the rule of law and the administration of justice. Since 2018, the surge of Iran backed terrorism against Iranian dissidents in Europe, and the reports of the widespread use of torture and execution against those protesting against the regime, to which I referred, underlines the need for the United Kingdom Government to refer the regimes of palling violations of human rights to the United Nations Security Council, and to designate the leaders of this regime as perpetrators of crimes against humanity and sponsors of terrorism.
At a very minimum, the United Kingdom should be seeking a referral and a preliminary investigation by the International Criminal Court. If that is vetoed and blocked by other security council permanent members, fearful of having a light shined on their own violations of human rights, we should lead the way in establishing a regional tribunal to bring those to justice, who have been responsible for the brutality and for the use of state terrorism. And these attempts to silence all opposition.
The United Kingdom should also work with the United States to maximize pressure on Iran and use our new global human rights legislation. To impose targeted sanctions on officials and leaders of the clerical regime, just as the UK Government recently did in Belarus, the Iranian people are the ones who decide the future of their country. And they have a democratic alternative in the NCRI led by Madame Rajavi and her 10-point democratic platform for a future Iran.
We in the UK and Europe must recognize that they stand for principles that we embrace, and we must stand with the people of Iran in their quest for a better future. The same great statesman who said but justice delayed is justice denied. Also, once said, “You cannot fight the future, because time is on our side.” That is most certainly true for those committed to peaceful democratic change in Iran.
Irish Senator Gerry Horkan in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Based on the experience of the last four decades, we know that appeasement toward the regime has been far from effective. The regime’s terrorism in the Middle East and other parts of the world have only become worse. It hasn’t just been unsuccessful but was counterproductive.
The regime has been blackmailing the West through threats of carrying out terrorist attacks. European government must wake up. Enough of this appeasement and granting concessions to the regime. We must see what needs to be done to prevent terrorism.
Our policy must go beyond talk and condemnation. There must be action. We must firmly respond to every terrorist act. Its funds must be targeted, its embassies close. Cultural centers and companies funded by the mullahs must be closed. Financial transactions with the IRGC must be blocked. Otherwise the regime’s terrorism on our soil will escalate.
Iran is on the verge of a revolution. We must preempt any form of criminal and violent reaction by the regime.
We must recognize this regime is not leading to the best outcome for the people of Iran and the world.
Ian Mearns, MP, in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Dear friends, President Elect Mrs. Rajavi, thank you for inviting me to your gathering. My name is Ian Mearns, and I am the Member of Parliament for Gateshead in Northeast England. I’m here to express solidarity with the brave Iranian people, the Iranians in diaspora, and the Iranian resistance movement, who suffer enormously at the hands of the theocratic dictatorship in Iran. You’re at the forefront of a struggle against the oppressive, murderous, barbaric, fundamentalist regime in Iran, which is not only a threat to your future and your country, but also to the entire world with its destabilizing interference across the region, and its undoubted support for terrorism.
The human rights situation in Iran is frightening. The situation does not need further explanation. The atrocities conducted by the regime are well documented, but in recent months, we’ve witnessed further alarming developments. With an intensified clamp down on support as of the opposition, the PMOI, political prisoners and activist insider inside Iran as the popular dissent against the excesses of the regime. They fear more nationwide protests similar to those, to challenge their grip on power in November last year. In the last years, individuals are responsible for decades of oppression and atrocities have been moved to great acquisitions of power, the new parliament speaker or the head of judiciary, or evidence of that. You are continuing the crucial fight for democracy and you’re in inalienable rights despite the regime’s brutality and propaganda campaigns.
It is time for the international community to acknowledge this struggle and stand with the people of Iran. That is why I’m calling on the UK Government to make sure that the upcoming resolution on human rights in Iran, which has become an annual tradition at the UN General Assembly must include a provision that demands the establishment of an independent international inquiry into the regime’s human rights abuses with the aim of bringing to justice those responsible.
This annual resolution on Iran should not only condemn the regime’s human rights abuses, but also demand the regimes allows in uninvestigated the fact-finding mission into the country into the prisons to meet with political prisoners and detained protesters, as called for by the NCRI President Elect Mrs. Maryam Rajavi.
We are meeting online to the current pandemic, but we are standing with you. Rest assured that my colleagues and I across parties in the UK Parliament will continue to push petition our government to take real steps to hold the regime to account and to demand accountability, justice unfreedom for the people of Iran.
Lord Ken Magginis in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Thank you, Struan. It’s always good to be sitting albeit looking at a TV screen, but able to associate with those who fight for the freedom of Iran. None more so than my dear, dear friend, Mrs. Rajavi. It’s so good to see are still working to free fellow citizens in Iran. I do apologize for appearing slightly late. This product of 1930th is not terribly good at managing zoom. So, I took a little while getting connected. But again, it’s a privilege to be with you all, and with those who have spoken here today.
My big problem since the team of Camp Ashraf, when one had up practical problem to deal with, and we were able, together, to make some progress in that respect. And of course, we are grateful to the Albanians who have hosted those who previously were bombarded within Camp Ashraf, but it’s difficult, not the least with, I’m sorry to say it, but with my own foreign offers, with the UK Foreign offers, to make progress that one would like to see. There is that stand officious that doesn’t allow, for example, when one ask questions about the 1988 slaughter of 30,000 Iranian citizens, when one asked question, we get a puzzled look coming from the minister in the form of alphas and saying, “Well, we’re not sure where. We don’t recognize those figures. They haven’t been proved.” That’s how the willingness is a huge frustration to those of us who know the truth of that horror.
The reality is that, and obviously at the time of this pandemic, we can’t press but I’ve long been eager to see those very faithful members of the Iranian community within the United Kingdom, who do so much, who works so hard. I would like to see them having the privilege of their leader, Madame Rajavi, coming to the United Kingdom and being able to rally them as only she can.
Hence, it is an objective for the future. It is something that we must not lose sight of, nor must we allow. And sorry to put it like this, but the wishy-washy attitude of the FCO, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to dissuade us from achieving that objective. Both visual and sound Vulcan approach that we will be able to win more support on the ground amongst UK citizens and to create the atmosphere where we can acknowledge those members of the NCRI and the esteemed leader. That would be the breakthrough.
And for those who, like myself, are sitting in the United Kingdom parliament, then we have got to maintain the objective of having Madame Rajavi amongst us when the time is appropriate. I see some of you nodding in approval there. And the others, thank you. That must be our objective. Thank you very much.
Roger Godsiff MP, in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Thank you for inviting me to participate in this conference today. It’s a great honor for me to be here with my former parliamentary colleagues and all the distinguished guest speakers. I listened to what’s been said today, and I strongly endorse the recommendations put forward by the other speakers in order to counter and stop the terrorism of the Iranian regime.
As has been said by other speakers, terror is the means by which some regime survives and stays in power. It’s a way it advances his reactionary policies and confronts any opposition aiding around or in any other parts of the world. The trails of the regime state terrorism can be traced all over the world. It targets citizens from all over the world.
And as we’ve heard, in recent years, the regime is engaging in attacks against its opponents on European soil with no regard whatsoever for human life. The two bombing plots that we’ve heard about reminds me very much indeed of the ISIS terrorist attacks, whose aim was nothing more than to cause mass casualties and chaos.
If these plots and attacks have been successful, thousands of people including ordinary resistance, parliamentarians, dignitaries, some of whom are at this conference day, will all have been killed. And for what reason? Purely and simply because, like the Iranian people, they supported a free and democratic Iran. In other words, the regime’s terrorism and suppression are the two sides of the same coin, the bias of regime survival. We cannot allow the regime to succeed in these evil aims.
If we, in Europe, stand passively by and do nothing in the face of the crime regimes, terrorist activities in Europe, then I regret to say that we will all be complicit in their evil atrocities. If our governments lack political courage to hold the regime into account, then they should look no further than look at the brave Iranian people and the Iranian resistance movements led by Madame Rajavi, who refused to give in to the regime’s brutal repression.
The reality is that the policy of appeasement that Europe has been pursuing, engaging in endless talks and negotiations for the sake of hollow diplomacy, and preserving the flawed nuclear deal has tilted the balance of power in Iran in favor of the regime, instead of the Iranian people. The sanctions’ relief is not going to the people of Iran who desperately need it. The money is instead being used to support the export of state terrorism.
The Iranian people and Iranian resistance movement bear the heavy task of changing their country for the better as it should be. But the least way Europe can do, and indeed should do, is to stand with the Iranian people and hold the regime to account. Despite the hardship they face, the people of Iran and their resistance movement saw change is within reach. We should take confidence in their views and help them to bring about that change sooner rather than later. Thank you.
Former Irish minister John Perry in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Thank you very much indeed and compliment you on the wonderful work that you’re doing here, sharing this very important meeting, to listen very attentively to the wonderful speakers and also my colleague, former senator Gerry Horkan.
Over 450 acts of terrorism outside of Iran by the Iranian regime have been documented by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the NCRI, since 2001. We have a long list of hostages taking, the murdering of the foreign nationals in Lebanon, bombing in Peru and Beirut in 1982, killing 241 American service members and 50 years French military personnel, killing of innocent people in the streets of Paris in 1986, and killing the Hajj pilgrims in Mecca in 1987.
More importantly, the bombing in Argentina in 1994 using 275 kilograms of explosives against a Jewish center, also the killing of innocent people, and injuring 151 more in the Khobar Tower bombing in 1996, which resulted in the killing of 19 and the wounding of 500 American service members. The list goes on.
Only a few days after the start of the December 27th uprising, the Secretary of the Regime Supreme National Security Council, the IRGC veteran, Ali Shamkhani, said that the peoples’ Mujahedin of the Iran, the PMOI, and the MEP will be his. By their reaction, they would have no idea the implications of that is the Mullah’s regimes responds to the uprising inside of Iran. In order to attempt to suppress, it is challenging the uprising leading forces. They will be very careful in this. The Iranian regimes leaders plan to launch a major terrorist attack against the free Iran gathering in Paris in 2018.
The terrorists in possession of the bomb were arrested by the Belgian police. This was the regimes’ terrorists and the diplomats who had handed in the bomb was also arrested and has been in prison since then. Many of the participants in this conference were present in that gathering of our potential victims of a bomb that is said could have killed at least hundreds of people there should have been procedures according to his plans.
Back in 2018, the French intelligence agencies, CHS, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has undoubtedly been involved in the bombing and the Belgian authorities have also come to the same conclusions. Now, that the plot of the regime had failed, have stalled, everything points to the fact that was sanctioned by the regimes top authorities all the way to a supreme leader and president, so called diplomats of the regime has threatened Belgium, that if convicted, there will be consequences for the country. As ARAM groups in Iran, there’s some other countries that are linked to the regime. They’re watching its trying forces.
This recording was verified even by his lawyer. There’s this guest this year, they have been led to believe that they were entitled to commit terrorism on the European side, and then … Otherwise, there will be more consequences in the form of future terrorist attacks coming for Europe. The key question here is what has enabled the importance of their criminal regime, of data status, to hoard such mindsets, and an act of such criminal way in Europe. For about four decades, the NCRI has been the spearhead of the resistance to suppression, terrorism, and in certainly under the regime of. However, the international community and the European countries have failed, feared them with their silence and appeasement policy.
If our governments continue failing to do what is right, which is to stand up to the export of nationalist ideology, the exploit, or terrorism, if we do not rise to protect them in these situations, in theory, who are at the front of the war soon enough, it will become our own war to directly fight. In a resolution in June, the conclusion of this year, a majority in the US House of Representatives urged governments to prevent the malign activities of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic missions, with the goal of closing the embassies and considering the Iranian embassy in Albania.
This is the right forum and an effective policy, which must be carried out on this side of the Atlantic by all European governments in …. So, I’m delighted to be a part of this very important, strong conference. … to be a part of your doing and it’s very important that our voice, that we get…
Gill Furniss, MP, in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
I have been shocked by repeated human rights violations of the Iranian regime. I condemn all violations of human rights. The UK and its allies have an obligation to protect human rights around the world, including the release of political prisoners in Iran.
Mousa Zahed, Director of the Middle East Forum for Development
The Iranian regime doesn’t care about diplomacy and diplomatic behavior. The regime’s embassy is engaged in planting bombs and plotting terror attacks. The message of appeasement by European countries has demonstrated to the theocracy that they can assassinate their opponents on European soil with impunity.
The international community needs to get together and adopt an approach against the mullahs’ terrorism.
Hossein Abedini, member of the NCRI Foreign Affairs Committee, in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
I am a survivor of one of many terrorist attacks of the regime. I narrowly escaped death when my car was ambushed by so-called Iranian diplomats—terrorists—in Turkey. My liver and lungs were badly damaged in the attack after I was shot, and I have undergone many surgeries since then.
Forty days after I was attacked, Professor Kazem Rajavi was assassinated by regime diplomats in Geneva. The regime also assassinated NCRI representative Mohammad Hossein Naghdi in Italy a few years later.
The regime is desperately trying to prevent justice through blackmail and threats.
In May 2019 the NCRI exposed documents that showed how the regime uses its embassies to spread terror. The NCRI expects the UK and other European governments to respond firmly to the regime’s terror threat.The IRGC is a central force of the regime’s repression in Iran and terrorism abroad. The IRGC only reports to the supreme leader Ali Khamenei and its mission is to keep him in power. The NCRI has launched a campaign to disband the IRGC and its funds allocated to the coronavirus response. The international community must support this campaign by designating the IRGC as a terrorist entity and supporting the people of Iran.
Mark Williams MP, in the Iranian opposition NCRI online conference—October 15, 2020
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for the opportunity to say a few words at this important event, reminding us of the international terrorism perpetrated by the regime in Tehran.
It’s been customary every year now for the last 15 years for me to have the privilege of traveling to France as part of the British delegation of parliamentarians for the annual gathering of the NCRI and its thousands of friends around the world. Last year, we were privileged to visit our friends in Albania. Together, every year, we celebrate democracy, the freedom to travel, and above all else, the freedom of speech.
Iranian exiles, parliamentarians, and ex-parliamentarians from around the globe are there to make the case alongside Maryam Rajavi for a democratic, free, and secular Iran, alongside thousands upon thousands of people who attend those rallies. Many more thousands watch our proceedings, including many brave souls inside Iran itself, putting themselves at risk just for listening to what we say.
We’re also there to denounce the theocratic dictatorship for its hideous exports of terrorism around the globe; Iraq, Syria, Hezbollah in the Lebanon, so many other groups, and so many other places. Indeed, the trademarks of the regime are internal repression, the spread of extremism, and state terrorism abroad. And so, in 2018, many of us gathered once again, committed to the principles of liberal democracy. We always know, they’ve always known that the dictatorship will seek to discredit its opponents and dare not to face them at the ballot box with candidates, of course, chosen by the Supreme, rather than allowing democracy to run its course.
But instead, on the 30th of June 2018, as we gathered near Paris, it emerged the two terrorist plots against Iranian resistance have been foiled, leading to the expulsion of one of the regimes ambassadors from Tirana and the now historic prosecution, I hope, of another regime diplomat, Assadollah Assadi in Belgium, with his case set to begin next month, a diplomat, I repeat, a so-called diplomat charged with masterminding a bomb plot against peaceable campaigners for democratic reform.
For some of us, it was a chilling reminder of how low the regime in Tehran will stoop and a reminder of the repression of free speech forced upon the people of Iran for the last four decades or more. And yet, even as he faces prosecution, as recently as October the 9th according to Reuters, Assadi has warned the Belgian police, again, a diplomat, warning the Belgian police force of possible retaliation by unidentified groups if he is found guilty. This is truly reprehensible disgraceful behavior but illustrating again that the tentacles of the Tehran regime indeed run deep. They must face the united opposition of the international community.
Those of us who are Europeans, whether we’re in the European Union or not, those of us who are Europeans, we will not tolerate terror attack and terrorism on European soil. And so, we call upon the governments of the West Britain, of the European Union, and others, to prosecute the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security as terrorist organizations. How dare the prescription, once existed on the PMOI, wisely and justifiably lifted, not apply to proven terrorists, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security? They are terrorists and they must be treated as such. We must ensure that trade and diplomatic relations are conditional on ending terrorism.
In Britain, under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulation, they have that power to prescribe those individuals and groups. That must become a reality. We must publicly name, shame, and report on terrorists and terrorism. And, we must impose sanctions for pursuing state terrorism activities. I’ve always hesitated to use the word appeasement, but it’s appropriate in this case. We cannot be seen to appease terrorists. We must shut down embassies in Europe and expel diplomats, those operating in violation of the Vienna Convention.
Finally, something obvious to all democrats, we must enter the governments of the West, must enter dialogue with Maryam Rajavi, and the NCRI. They must understand the motivations behind our cause, the creation of a democratic, free, and secular Iran. That is our goal. That should be the priorities of the West, but it’s the priorities of the NCRI and millions of Iranians throughout the world. Before that day, when Tehran is liberated, the international community must be very clear and very vocal in its condemnation of the international terrorism that the Iranian regime represents. I’m sorry, I’m not with you in person.
I’m sorry, we’re not able to meet as we have done in those great gatherings in the past. But thank you very much for the opportunity to share some thoughts in solidarity with you, what you’re seeking to achieve. You have many friends, and we will continue voicing our concerns with you and alongside you. Thank you very much.
