During The Second Free Iran 2025 Conference on May 31, former Norwegian MP Lars Rise delivered a powerful address underscoring the growing international support for the Iranian Resistance and Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a democratic Iran. As President of the Friends of a Free Iran Committee in the Nordic countries, Rise highlighted a significant political shift among democratic nations in favor of a free and secular Iran.
He cited strong bipartisan backing for the movement, including U.S. House Resolution 166—supported by a majority in Congress—and similar declarations from lawmakers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Rise commended these parliamentarians for standing against appeasement and acting as the true conscience of democracy.
Expressing concern for the safety of MEK members at Ashraf 3 in Albania, Rise called on the U.S. and Albanian governments to honor their international commitments and ensure the group’s protection. He concluded by drawing a moving parallel between Iran’s resistance and his family’s legacy in Norway’s World War II resistance, praising the courage and dedication of those continuing the struggle for freedom.
Former Norwegian MP @larsrise: Honored to witness an unprecedented international consensus: lawmakers across nations stand with #MEKResistanceUnits and support the Ten-Point Plan for freedom.#NCRIAlternative #FreeIran2025 #FreeIran10PointPlan https://t.co/BADyzccsTf
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) May 31, 2025
Excerpt of Lars Rise’s speech follows. Portions have been lightly edited for clarity.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and esteemed colleagues,
Madam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran,
Today, I am honored to stand here and share with you the unprecedented international consensus emerging among lawmakers from several countries. This growing movement supports the thousands of Resistance Units inside Iran and the Ten-Point Plan for Iran’s democratic future presented by Mrs. Rajavi.
In recent weeks, you’ve heard about U.S. House Resolution 166 — a bipartisan resolution supported by 225 members of Congress, a majority of the House of Representatives. Similarly, we have seen an endorsement of a comparable statement by 570 British lawmakers, including a majority of the House of Commons, and a majority in the Irish Senate.
Today, I’m proud to announce new declarations from parliamentarians in other countries. These lawmakers represent the awakened conscience of the international community. They stand in opposition to the failed and destructive policy of appeasement toward Iran’s dictatorship — a policy, regrettably, still pursued by some democratic governments and vested interests in the West.
It often takes real courage to go against the instructions of your foreign ministry, or even your own political party. That’s why I deeply admire these principled legislators. They have chosen to stand alongside the Iranian people.
Their actions have built a noble bridge of humanity and democracy between our nations and one of the world’s oldest civilizations — Iran. To each of my colleagues, I offer heartfelt congratulations. You are the true conscience of the democratic world. While others appease dictatorships, you defend democracy and human rights.
To our friends in Ashraf 3, I send sincere greetings. I look forward to seeing you again soon. This summer marks 20 years since my first visit to Ashraf in Iraq — an unforgettable experience.
Unfortunately, today in Albania, the protection of MEK members in Ashraf 3 is insufficient.
Think about this: some of our friends in Ashraf have been active in the resistance for over 50 years. In Norway, our resistance movement against Nazi occupation lasted five years. Imagine the perseverance required to fight for 50 years. It is extraordinary.
Let us hope the U.S. government follows through on the commitments in Resolution 166 and resists any influence from the Iranian dictatorship.
We’ve too often seen how the regime manipulates Western governments into weak positions. We must remain vigilant. Let us hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail.
Thank you.
