In a powerful demonstration of unity, 150 members of the European Parliament have united in a global campaign to support the ongoing uprising of the Iranian people.
Through a collective statement, these esteemed representatives from Europe’s primary legislative body have expressed their unwavering support for the Iranian people’s aspirations to establish a democratic republic with a clear separation of religion and state.
Moreover, the signatories of the statement have endorsed the comprehensive 10-Point Plan presented by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the Iranian National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
This visionary program encompasses essential provisions for a new Iran, including the guarantee of free and fair elections, the freedom of assembly and speech, the abolition of the death penalty, gender equality, the separation of religion and state, regional autonomy, and the establishment of a non-nuclear Republic of Iran.
The list of distinguished signatories includes:
Six former Prime Ministers and Presidents, as well as heads of state
Three former Commissioners of the European Union
Three Deputy Prime Ministers
28 former Ministers
One Vice-President of the European Parliament
One Bureau Member
Two Chairs of Parliamentary Groups, who are also members of the Conference of Presidents of Parliament
15 Vice-Chairs of Parliamentary Groups and members of the Bureau from the five main political groups
Five Chairs and 18 Vice-Chairs of Committees
18 Chairs and Vice-Chairs of EP Delegations
27 Members of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee
The full text of the statement, signed by the members of the European Parliament, is as follows:
Support the Iranian People in Their Struggle
For a Secular and Democratic Republic
February 2023
For the past six months, the world has witnessed a sweeping popular uprising in Iran, demanding freedom and democracy. Some 750 protesters have been killed and 30,000 arrested. While any change should come from the Iranian people and their own resistance, the international community has its own responsibility.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Iran in their desire for a secular and democratic republic where no individual, regardless of religion or birthright, has any privilege over others. Through their slogans, the Iranian people have made it clear that they reject all forms of dictatorship, be it the deposed Shah or the current theocratic regime, and thus reject any association with either.
We believe it is for the Iranian people to decide their future. However, we recognize the fact that over the past four decades, the democratic coalition of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has constantly and tirelessly pursued democratic change. In this respect, we believe the Ten-point Plan articulated by the NCRI President, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, deserves our support. It stands for free elections, freedom of assembly and expression, abolition of the death penalty, gender equality, the separation of religion and state, autonomy for Iran’s ethnicities, and a non-nuclear Iran.
The Iranian people’s courageous uprising can be attributed, on the one hand, to the explosive state of Iranian society, a product of suppression, poverty, discrimination, and government corruption, and, on the other hand, four decades of nationwide organized resistance. Tragically, in the summer of 1988 alone, over 30,000 political prisoners – the vast majority of whom were members of the MEK – were brutally massacred.
We condemn the Iranian regime’s meddling in the Middle East region and Europe, including its terrorist attempts and cyber-attacks in Albania.
We urge the international community to stand with the Iranian people in their quest for change and to take decisive steps against the current regime. This includes blacklisting the IRGC and holding regime officials accountable for their crimes against humanity.
