South Africa’s ‘moral compass’, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, passed away on December 26 at the age of 90. A friend and ally to the Iranian Resistance, the former anti-apartheid leader will be sorely missed by those who knew and supported him in his fight for equality.

In a statement, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa said, “The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa.”

Sacrificing many years of his life to fight against the apartheid regime in his home country, Archbishop Tutu was a major promoter of human rights, and valued peace, and as a result, he came to stand by the Iranian people and their Resistance through their difficult times.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) said, “He particularly supported members of the Iranian Resistance who were under attack in Camp Ashraf, Iraq by Iran’s puppet government in Baghdad.”

Following the attack on Camp Ashraf’s residents in 2011 by Iraqi forces, Archbishop Tutu gave a statement stating that he strongly deplored the attacks against ‘the defenseless and unarmed residents of Camp Ashraf’, which left hundreds of people wounded, and 35 residents killed.

In 2009, he publicly condemned the violence that the Iranian regime had used against protesters in Iran during the uprising that year. The following year, he sent a message in support of the Iranian Resistance’s annual ‘Free Iran’ rally, echoing calls for better human rights, as well dignity and justice.

He said, “In Iran today that struggle for human rights and dignity has re-awakened.  In spite of great dangers, the Iranian people are telling their leaders and the world that they want to re-establish their rightful place as those who believe in and stand for human rights, justice, and peace.”

According to the French News Agency, Archbishop Tutu was ‘never afraid to speak truth to power, whatever its creed or color’.

The NCRI said, “The Iranian Resistance and people lost a great friend and offers its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”