The Iranian Resistance has long been a pioneer in defending Iranian people’s rights.

The first and most important is their belief that political legitimacy is only granted through a free and fair election with universal suffrage. This means an end to appointing the head of state or behind-the-scenes games to rig the elections.

The second is all about freedoms. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) believes in respecting all individual freedoms, including, but not limited to, freedom of expression, the press, parties, and assembly. Thus, the Iranian Resistance would also ensure that everyone can access the internet without restrictions because of their political affiliation.

The third centres on religious freedoms, which means that religion and state will be separated and discrimination against followers of any religion/denomination will be banned.

The fourth centers on the Iranian Resistance’s overhaul of the judicial system to bring it into the 21st Century, which means that it would be based on:

• the rule of law
• the right to defense
• the presumption of innocence
• effective judicial protection
• the right to be tried in a public court
• the total independence of judges
• the abolition of the mullahs’ Sharia law, including the death penalty

The fifth is about gender equality, with the Iranian Resistance saying outright: “We believe in complete gender equality in political, social, and economic arenas”. This means that they will ban discrimination against women, as well as ensuring their rights in the fields of clothing, marriage, divorce, education and employment, and support women’s equal participation in political leadership.

The sixth is about human rights, with the Resistance pledging commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all of its international covenants and conventions, including but not limited to:

• the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• the Convention against Torture
• the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women

The seventh centers on equality for all nationalities in Iran, with the Resistance pledging support for the autonomy of Iranian Kurdistan, adopted by the NCRI.

The Iranian Resistance said: “The language and culture of our compatriots from whatever nationality, are among our nation’s human resources and must spread and be promulgated in tomorrow’s Iran.”

The eight is about the market economy with the Resistance stating that they recognize private property, private investment, and the market economy, with the caveat that all Iranians must have equal opportunity in employment and in business ventures. In this, they also pledged to revitalize the environment.

The ninth regards foreign policy, which the Iranian Resistance said will be based on:

• peaceful coexistence
• international and regional peace and cooperation
• respect for the United Nations Charter

The tenth is about the nuclear policy, where the Resistance would seek a non-nuclear Iran.