Speaking at the Free Iran 2026 World Summit in Paris, German Member of Parliament Carsten Müller delivered a strong criticism of the Iranian regime and called on European governments to abandon years of appeasement policies toward Tehran. Müller argued that the regime’s continued reliance on torture, censorship, executions, and suppression of dissent does not demonstrate strength, but rather reveals deep internal weakness and growing fear of public opposition. He stressed that Europe must adopt a clearer and more principled policy based on support for human rights, freedom, and the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people.
Müller emphasized the urgent need for unified European backing for the Iranian Resistance and praised the sacrifices made by opposition activists over decades in pursuit of democracy and equality. He expressed support for Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, describing it as a democratic framework for Iran’s future, and urged European nations to stand firmly with those seeking fundamental political change. The German lawmaker also called for an immediate rejection of policies that, in his view, allow the Iranian authorities to continue repression without facing sufficient international consequences.
The German parliamentarian further criticized restrictions placed on demonstrations supporting freedom in Iran, warning that limiting peaceful expressions of solidarity could unintentionally serve the interests of Tehran’s ruling authorities. He argued that democratic governments should protect the right of people to advocate for freedom and should not become passive toward actions that undermine those values. Müller highlighted the importance of political unity across democratic parties in Europe, noting that support for human rights in Iran should transcend partisan divisions.
Concluding his remarks, Carsten Müller called on European governments to openly support the Iranian people’s pursuit of democracy and to reject any policies that strengthen authoritarian rule. He emphasized that international solidarity and recognition of a democratic alternative are essential steps toward achieving lasting political change in Iran.
Carsten Müller, German MP: The Iranian regime’s executions, torture, and repression show not strength but deep weakness. We must support the Iranian people & the NCRI as the democratic alternative.#100KFreeIranRally #OurChoiceMaryamRajavi #NCRIAlternative https://t.co/OI6Ao1S2LF
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) June 20, 2026
A translated version of Carsten Müller’s speech follows:
Dear Maryam Rajavi, Excellencies, colleagues, dear friends in the struggle for freedom in Iran.
As we gather here, the following is happening in Tehran: the mullahs have started up their propaganda machine, as they so often do when they are cornered. They want the world to believe that it is a strong regime. The opposite is true.
What is the true measure of a government’s strength? It is the bond of the people to their country and to their government.
Dear friends, if we look closely, we see the following: today in Iran under the mullahs, we still find torture, executions, censorship, paternalism, humiliation, and, ladies and gentlemen, great, great fear.
There is no other way to explain why we see such a high number of executions every year. Iran leads the world in executions.
Some of the impressive previous speakers have rightly said: in January of this year, the mullahs’ regime brutally slaughtered over 40 mostly young people and women. This is not a sign of strength; it is a sign of contempt for humanity, disgust, and profound weakness.
Ladies and gentlemen, what lessons must we draw from this? We must support the struggle for freedom. We must support those who take to the streets for their beliefs, risking their own lives.
Just as the People’s Mojahedin [PMOI] do, who have paid a heavy toll in blood over the last 60 years in their struggle for freedom, democracy, and equality.
These are the values that unite us, transcending political camps.
When I look around at my friends who have traveled with me from Germany, it is not just a single political party, but the entire spectrum of democratic parties in Germany, spanning across political divides. That is where its strength lies.
Meine Damen und Herren, we must not simply accept what is still happening in Iran today and continue to appease. It has been rightly said: appeasement has never led to success.
Therefore, we must not only look to the United States of America, but we must ensure that European nations stand by the side of freedom-loving Iranians and support them. Europe can no longer remain silent and look away from what is happening in Iran.
Ladies and gentlemen, what unites us all is that a democratic Iran is close to our hearts.
Maryam Rajavi has presented a Ten-Point Plan. It can be signed by any freedom-loving person, and, dear friends, let us do this together.
I would like to say a final word on what we have received today from the French authorities. I am not referring to court decisions. It does not look good for politicians to criticize independent courts. But what one is allowed to do is to criticize administrative decisions.
To be honest, what was decided here—the cancellation of an impressive demonstration for freedom—leaves me completely stunned.
What is the result of this? The result is: we here in Paris do not want people to take to the streets for freedom. Especially in Paris. This leaves us all shocked.
I look around this room, and I also want to extend a warm welcome to our friends in Ashraf 3. It is impressive what you are accomplishing there.
I had the pleasure of visiting you a few months ago. Let me tell you: you are not forgotten.
Above all, let us address the governments of European nations and say one thing very clearly: do not make yourselves accomplices to the murderous mullahs’ regime!
Do not make yourselves accomplices by banning demonstrations of freedom-loving Iranians. Do not make yourselves accomplices by supplying weapons and other equipment. Proliferation is unacceptable!
Stand on the side of freedom, stand by the side of freedom-loving Iranians! This is our task. You are not alone.