Tunne Kelam, former Member of the European Parliament from Estonia, 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.

Tunne Kelam, former MEP

Dear friends, colleagues, Dear Mrs. Rajavi, It’s a pleasure to be with you today.

Indeed, we have come a long way together with PMOI.  As a MEP I joined the Friends of Free Iran group 16 years ago and served as one of its vice presidents.  We had the opportunity to observe and support your fight to clear the PMOI name in the European Court, pave your way to the European Parliament and participate in your various activities.  My most memorable impression was visiting the First Ashraf camp in 2008 together with Alejo Vidal Quadras and 2 other colleagues.  My last visit to the newborn Ashraf III in Albania was in November 2018 where we met with Madame Rajavi.  The creativity, morals, sincerity and determination of the Ashraf residents have convinced me that you will overcome. 

Today, this change is nearer than any time before.  It is crucial to realize that democratic countries are part of the solution.  In fact, they bear direct responsibility for the continuation of Tehran’s inhuman and aggressive dictatorship. Western ambiguity, pragmatic economic interests and double-standards are helping to prolong the mullahs’ bloody rule.  We need to realize that every additional day of this regime means new arrests, new executions and new suppression. 

It is high time to conclude that the 2015 nuclear deal has failed the expectations that were cherished in the West.  It has shown that the Tehran regime has absolutely no intention of meeting its commitments, or to become more humane.  On the contrary, Mullahs have used the deal to gather strength and intensify their aggression across the Middle East.  Today, it has become clear that only regime-change can make Iran a normal, friendly and nuclear-free country.  Madame Rajavi’s 10- point program is the only realistic way to achieve this goal.  There is no other scenario to solve Iran’s problem – internally as well as externally.  

The change in Iran is the sovereign right of the Iranians. But it can be advanced by a change of EU policy. As a former MEP, I am disappointed with EU policy which has kept appeasing the mullahs despite so many horrific crimes. The EU has mostly looked aside or just paid lip-service in reacting to these crimes.  We must react not by whispering our concern but by concrete actions. We must impose sanctions on this regime for their human rights breaches or risk losing EU’s own credibility.  We must recall our ambassadors from Tehran to protest the regime’s inhuman behavior.  The EU has to demand unhindered access to Iran’s prisons, especially to the prisoners held since the November 2019 protests.

Iranian nation is fed up with the ruling theocracy.  This is proven by people’s wide-spread and continuing uprisings, by their slogans. Earlier this year, the people chanted “down with dictator, be it Shah or Supreme Leader.” The people of Iran want a free and peaceful country. They deserve their rights and dignity to be restored.

Therefore, it is the duty of every citizen of the free world, especially the politicians, to support the Iranian people’s aspirations for democracy and freedom.

Let us keep working together to that end and be sure that I will continue to stand with you until the day that Iran will be free. Thank you