Former Member of the European Parliament Struan Stevenson addressed the Free Iran 2026 World Summit in Paris on June 21, criticizing the French authorities over the handling of a planned rally while reaffirming his longstanding support for the Iranian opposition.
Stevenson expressed concern over reports that French police prevented the demonstration, detained several participants, and left many attendees waiting in high temperatures. He argued that the incident raised questions about France’s commitment to democratic values and called on President Emmanuel Macron to address the situation, saying the treatment of members of the Iranian diaspora would have lasting significance.
Reflecting on more than two decades of involvement with the Iranian opposition, Stevenson highlighted what he described as the resilience of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). He recalled challenges the movement has faced over the years, including terrorist designations in the past and attacks on residents of Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty, while arguing that the organization had continued its activities despite those setbacks.
Stevenson also praised the leadership of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, describing her as a central figure in the movement, and expressed support for the residents of Ashraf 3 and the Resistance Units. Concluding his remarks, he encouraged supporters of the opposition, both inside and outside Iran, to remain committed to their objectives and voiced confidence in the movement’s future.
The full text of Struan Stevenson‘s speech follows:
Liberté, égalité, fraternité, but apparently not here in Paris.
Lafayette will be turning in his grave. What happened yesterday was an outrage. It is a stain on the reputation of the French government.
I want to send a strong message today to President Macron: you cannot allow that behavior to take place.
To corral 100,000 Iranians who wanted to have a peaceful rally in Paris, [and] to hold tens of thousands of them in buses for hours in 36 degrees centigrade[—]that is outrageous.
For the police dressed in riot gear to wrestle members of the peaceful Iranian diaspora to the ground[—]some are in prison, some are in hospital[—]this is an absolute outrage, and it will not be forgotten, President Macron.
But I want to speak to you very briefly about strength.
For 25 years, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, myself, [and] Paulo Casaca, have been supporting Mrs. Rajavi and the NCRI.
During that quarter-century, we have encountered so many major issues, major crises, and major events.
We were on the terrorist list, as you’ve heard. We had the attacks and massacres in Camp Ashraf, then in Camp Liberty.
We had the problem of moving all of our brothers and sisters from Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty [to freedom] in Albania.
But each time we have confronted these problems, and we have overcome them through strength, and through victory!
And I want to say to all our brothers and sisters in Ashraf 3, and to the Resistance Units, and the people of Iran who want rid of this evil regime, that you are the bedrock of a future Iran, and we support you 100%!
And be under no doubt: we used to call Mrs. Thatcher in the UK “the Iron Lady”, but you have the Iron Lady now in Mrs. Rajavi!
There is one word that I will finish with, and it’s a word that must guide all of us in Ashraf 3, in the Resistance Units, in the rebellious youth, and the population of Iran.
And that one word is: victory!
— STRUAN STEVENSON (@STRUANSTEVENSON) June 4, 2026
