During an international conference held in Brussels on September 15, Belgian Senator Els Ampe delivered a speech. The event held in Brussels to commemorate the first anniversary of Iran’s 2022 uprising. This conference was organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

The text of Senator Els Ampe’s speech follows:

Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Rajavi, dear Iranians, welcome to Brussels.

Today marks the anniversary of the Iranian uprising, which began with the cruel assassination of Massa Amini. Mahsa was peacefully walking in the streets and was brutally killed by the morality police because she didn’t wear a hijab. Because the regime thinks it’s up to them to decide what women wear.

Well, it’s not up to them, it’s up to you.

Because of the uprising, the regime attacked the Iranian refugees in Ashraf 3 in Albania. That’s not acceptable. Albania wants to become a member of the European Union, well, to protect the Iranian refugees in Albania.

Because of the uprising, the regime has attacked women. The regime poisoned schoolgirls. The regime arrested women and sexually assaulted them. You’re a coward. Down with Khamenei.

But the Iranian women hold their heads high. They are more heroic than any king and shah can ever be. The Iranian women, they don’t fight for a throne. They don’t conquer an empire. They don’t fight for glory. They fight for freedom.

And that’s why the Iranian women have already won because they conquered our hearts. The regime is afraid of the women, afraid of the opposition, afraid of the PMOI. They are afraid of you because they are weak.

And you, you are strong, because you want a secular, democratic republic. And Khamenei, he’s a pathetic dictator.

Sometimes it seems safer to be silent, but silence kills slowly. And you know that. That’s why you and Mrs. Rajavi, you are louder than ever. And we hear you.

Thank you. Thank you for your courage. You will win. Thank you.