Baroness Verma: It’s Time for Action to Bring Democratic Change to Iran
On May 31, 2025, Baroness Sandeep Verma of the UK House of Lords addressed The Second Free Iran 2025 Conference organized by the Iranian Resistance, uniting lawmakers and leaders from around the world in support of democratic change in Iran. The event endorsed the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan as a path forward.
Baroness Verma commended the resilience of the Iranian people and the leadership of the NCRI, particularly the PMOI-led Resistance Units operating within Iran. She stressed that this conference was not merely symbolic—it reflected the power of unified international resolve. She urged world governments, especially in Europe, to move beyond words and take tangible steps, beginning with the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
Highlighting ongoing human rights abuses, Verma called for the creation of a special tribunal to investigate crimes against humanity and drew attention to political prisoners like Maryam Akbari Monfared. She voiced strong support for the “No to Executions Tuesday” campaign and demanded that the UN be granted access to detainees.
Concluding her remarks, Baroness Verma affirmed the UK Parliament’s firm backing of the Ten-Point Plan and declared the fall of the current regime in Iran inevitable. “A free and democratic Iran is not a matter of if, but when,” she said.
.@Baroness_Verma: We urge European & international leaders to go beyond words—take concrete action to hold the regime accountable. Proscribe the IRGC, central to its terror. The perpetrators are known, sanctioned, and documented by the UN.#BlacklistIRGC
https://t.co/FAaKpshOC6— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) May 31, 2025
The following is a lightly edited transcript of the speech for clarity and readability.
What an incredible video that was, ladies and gentlemen — showing just a fraction of the activities of the Iranian Resistance Units inside Iran.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure it will not surprise you, judging from my accent, that I am absolutely delighted to be introducing two honorable members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament.
They are champions of democracy, human rights, and a free Iran: the formidable Baroness Sandeep Verma — a powerful voice on women’s empowerment — and Lord Steve McCabe, a tireless campaigner for democratic values.
Ladies and gentlemen, please give them a very warm welcome.
Madam President-elect, my dearest friend Maryam, honorable colleagues, distinguished guests — it is an honor to join you at this timely and vital Free Iran gathering.
I thank you, Maryam, and my friends — my brothers and sisters in the NCRI and Ashraf 3 — for your kind invitation to be part of this extraordinary event here in France.
What you have achieved is remarkable. You’ve united civil society, parliamentarians, and international dignitaries from across the political spectrum in solidarity with the courageous people of Iran.
We are all joined together by an invisible thread of justice and support for democracy — and by a shared commitment to proceed with the Ten-Point Plan that will bring democracy to Iran.
This gathering is a testament to what the international community can accomplish when it finds the will and moral courage to support the Iranian people’s rightful demands for freedom, justice, and democracy.
But we are not here only to show solidarity with the people of Iran and the NCRI, who lead their struggle.
We are here to urge European and international leaders to move beyond mere words of condemnation and take concrete action — to hold the regime accountable.
We call on them to proscribe the IRGC, which is central to the regime’s terrorism and repression. We know who the perpetrators are. Many of them are already under human rights sanctions. Their crimes have been thoroughly documented by the UN Fact-Finding Mission and the Special Rapporteur on Iran.
Survivors and victims have bravely testified — but the regime’s tentacles stretch into our own countries. These individuals operate to silence voices for freedom and democracy and intimidate those who speak out.
Ladies and gentlemen, what is really missing is a special tribunal to investigate and prosecute those responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide.
This is not a vague request — it is a recommendation made by UN experts and mandate holders. In the UK, our government has made accountability a stated priority. That is welcome, and I will continue to press for this demand until prosecution becomes a reality.
We must also expose the true nature of Iran’s judiciary. It is not an institution of justice — it is a tool of repression.
A clear example is Maryam Akbari Monfared, imprisoned for over a decade for demanding justice for her siblings who were executed during the 1980s and the 1988 massacre.
She is one of many still imprisoned for their activism — and who continue to resist. We support their “No to Executions Tuesday” campaign, now ongoing for over seventy weeks.
We call on European governments to pressure the regime to allow the UN Special Rapporteur, Ms. Javaid Rehman’s successor, Ms. Nazila Ghanea, to visit Iran and meet with political prisoners — including Bijan Kazemi and Maryam Akbari Monfared.
We expect the international community to move forward with establishing a special tribunal for Iran. We are proud that in the UK, over 600 parliamentarians have signed in support of Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan.
To the brave people of Iran — especially the women leading the Resistance — we hear you. We stand with you.
A free and democratic Iran is not a matter of if, but when. Let me leave you with one final thought: a regime that is so cruel and violent to its own people cannot be a friend to anyone else. Appeasement doesn’t work. It will not work. It cannot work. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s stand up, speak out, and bring change.
Thank you.
