On September 10, 2024, a conference titled “Human Rights in Iran and the Call for Accountability” was held in the UK Parliament, highlighting the deteriorating human rights conditions in Iran. The event saw contributions from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, along with a video address by Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The discussions centered on the regime’s escalating use of executions, suppression of dissent, and the necessity for the international community to hold Iranian leaders accountable for crimes against humanity.
Key speakers underscored the importance of backing the Iranian people’s fight for freedom and democracy. Parliamentarians advocated for tougher measures, including the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, and urged the UK government to take decisive action against the regime. The event emphasized the global demand for accountability, with many highlighting the democratic alternative represented by the NCRI and Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a future Iran based on gender equality, human rights, and the rule of law.
In her remarks, Mrs. Rajavi condemned the regime’s increasing use of executions, noting that 150 individuals had been executed since Masoud Pezeshkian’s appointment as president under Supreme Leader Khamenei. She stated, “In this regime, execution is not merely a punishment, but a tool to reinforce the authority of a regime that the people seek to overthrow.” Mrs. Rajavi highlighted how the regime relies on fear and repression to sustain its power amid growing public discontent.
“The regime’s strategy is clear,” said the NCRI President-elect, “It uses demonization and threats to deter young Iranians from joining the resistance. It tries to extend its suppression of the opposition even outside Iran; and third, it spreads disinformation to create the false narrative that there is no viable alternative to the current regime.”
Mrs. Rajavi closed her address by calling on the international community to take concrete actions, urging the UK government to hold the Iranian regime’s leaders accountable for crimes against humanity and genocide and to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
Conference at the @UKParliament in Defense of #HumanRights in #Iran
Calling for Practical Measures to Hold the Clerical Regime Leaders Accountable for Crimes Against Humanity and Genocidehttps://t.co/xZqwDlewyY pic.twitter.com/c1gyC4A8M6— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) September 11, 2024
Baroness O’Loan highlighted the mounting evidence of human rights abuses in Iran, stating, “We now have concrete evidence both from the UN Special Rapporteur and the independent international fact-finding mission that the religious dictatorship in Iran was built on and survived through committing crimes against humanity.”
She further noted, “The surge of executions this year, targeting particularly women and detained protesters, and the record number of executions in August under the current regime, prove that all regime officials, regardless of their political labels, are united in their commitment to state repression.” Baroness O’Loan called for the UK to recognize the NCRI as a democratic alternative and support the popular protests in Iran.
MP Bob Blackman condemned the regime’s brutal history of repression, noting, “The regime has ruthlessly suppressed its democratic opposition, killing 120,000 supporters and members of the PMOI since 1979 alone.” He emphasized that without firm international action, these numbers will continue to rise. Blackman urged the UK government to take decisive steps, stating, “We have called universally for the prescription of the IRGC in its entirety for its terrorist activities and for the referral of Tehran’s appalling human rights record to the United Nations Security Council so that those responsible can be prosecuted under international law.”
MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith stressed the urgency of addressing the Iranian regime’s growing authoritarianism. He remarked, “We have this ridiculous debate here about whether or not the IRGC should be proscribed… I was astonished when I first came to this to find they hadn’t already been proscribed.” Duncan Smith criticized the UK government’s inaction, adding, “Sanctions are not enough. We must prescribe these organizations and leave the criminal law to get after them.” Concluding his statements, Sir Duncan Smith said, “I will dedicate myself during the course of this parliament, to ensuring that we never miss a single opportunity to raise the issue and the plight of those in Iran who are unable to speak out for themselves and at the same time to hold the British government to account and ask them finally to take the action that is necessary, not just to prescribe Iran, but to make it incredibly difficult for the Iranian regime to operate on a global basis.”
Professor Sarah Chandler, former president of the Federation of European Bar Associations, highlighted the atrocities committed by the Iranian regime, particularly the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. Quoting UN Special Rapporteur Javed Rahman, she stated, “The 1988 massacre represents the commission of the worst and most egregious human rights abuses of our living memory, whereby high-ranking state officials connived, conspired, and actively engaged to plan, order, and commit crimes against humanity and genocide against nationals of their own state.” The President of Equality, Diversion, and Inclusion Committee of the Law Society of England further stressed the importance of coordinated international efforts, calling on the UK to “work with allies to identify, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran and issue, when there is sufficient admissible evidence, international arrest warrants.” She pointed out that “those regime officials, commanders of the IRGC, and the other security forces already on the UK’s human rights sanction list provide a good starting point” for such actions.
Lord Singh underscored the courage of the Iranian people in the face of the regime’s repression. “Despite the regime’s efforts to silence dissent, the courage of the Iranian people continues to shine through. Since the 2022 uprisings, we have witnessed a surge of protests, strikes, and acts of resistance, which clearly show that the people of Iran refused to be carried into submission. Their desire for freedom is undeniable and unstoppable,” he said. Lord Singh praised the leadership of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), stating, “Your movement offers not only a platform to opposition to the regime but also a clear and democratic vision for the future of Iran seen in your admirable Ten-Point Plan.” He called on the UK to support the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy.
Lord Alton expressed deep frustration over the UK government’s refusal to sanction the IRGC. He stated, “I cannot understand the logic, nor can I understand what happened in Tony Clark’s and my time when successive governments refused to sanction the IRGC.” Lord Alton referenced the UN Special Rapporteur’s report on the 1988 massacre, highlighting, “An overwhelming majority of those executed were members and sympathizers of the PMOI, with considerable evidence that these killings were conducted with genocidal intent.” He further emphasized that the 1988 massacre of political prisoners amounts to an “ongoing crime against humanity,” as many victims were buried in secret graves, with the regime refusing to disclose their whereabouts.
Lord Alton commended Professor Javaid Rehman for his courage in documenting these atrocities despite threats from the regime. He concluded, “I urge our government to support madam Rajavi’s call to end executions and to endorse her Ten-Point Plan for Iran’s future, a plan that offers a permanent solution and viable democratic alternative to end the regime’s state oppression, terrorism, and executions that continue to take place in Iran.”
My remarks made at a meeting held in @UKParliament about Democratic & Human Rights in Iran @JavaidRehman @Lord_Collins @HoAbedini https://t.co/oxFB96vJTp @DavidLammy @JennyChapman pic.twitter.com/Vpccyc5xuJ
— Lord (David) Alton (@DavidAltonHL) September 11, 2024
MP Jim Shannon passionately condemned the Iranian regime’s long history of brutal repression. He highlighted the ongoing popular resistance, stating, “The uprisings and acts of defiance since 2022 are a powerful reminder that the Iranian people’s desire for freedom and liberty is as strong as ever.” “The regime’s actions have not stifled the rights of its own people, and not only stifled the rights of its own people, but have also contributed, to regional and global insecurity,” he added. MP Shannon praised Maryam Rajavi’s leadership, calling her “an inspiration” to those fighting for democracy and freedom in Iran. He also emphasized the importance of international accountability, urging the UK government to support the establishment of an independent international investigative mechanism. MP Shannon concluded, “We must publicly and vocally support their remaining people’s struggle for freedom and engage directly with the NCRI and Madam Rajavi. Their efforts to bring about a democratic Iran deserve our full backing.”
Lord Clark, a long-serving member of the British Committee for Freedom in Iran, delivered a passionate appeal for new MPs and politicians to champion the cause of Iranian freedom. Reflecting on 40 years of advocacy, Clark highlighted the regime’s atrocities, from executions in Tehran to brutal assaults on Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty. He recalled the young victims of the regime’s violence, including a woman who was murdered after he had spoken with her about life in the UK. Clark called on attendees to raise awareness about the regime’s barbaric practices, stating, “Tell them about the people that get acid thrown over them because they didn’t wear a headscarf. Please tell them because Iran has not been on the top of their shopping list for years. They’ve been quite understandably absorbed in domestic politics, but we can’t be just absorbed in domestic politics.” He concluded with a powerful message, echoing the words of the late Lord Corbett: “One day, Iran will be free.”
Lord Whitty highlighted the West’s failure to respond decisively to the regime’s ongoing atrocities, stating, “The West has not responded. International jurists have responded, but not the British government or most of the West.” He expressed hope that the recent change in the UK government could lead to stronger actions against Tehran’s repressive leadership.
Lord Whitty also pointed out the Iranian regime’s involvement in regional conflicts, supporting proxy forces and contributing to instability. He called on the new UK Foreign Secretary to take immediate steps, starting with the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization. “We must give real support to the democratic forces within Iran and withdraw all support, direct or indirect, from the Iranian regime,” he said. Whitty committed to ensuring that these calls for action reach the Foreign Secretary and are reflected in future government policies.
Sir Julian Lewis, a member of the UK Parliament and former chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, emphasized the importance of democratic resistance in overthrowing tyrannical regimes. “You can tell people by the company they keep, and the growing transparency of the atrocious relationship between Iran and Putin’s Russia is clear for the whole world to see,” he said, highlighting the regime’s ties with other authoritarian states.
Drawing parallels with the fall of the Soviet Union, Lewis expressed hope for Iran’s future, noting that change can come unexpectedly when there is persistent resistance. He concluded by calling on the UK government to recognize and support Iran’s democratic opposition, stating, “It requires a democratic resistance to tyranny, and that is what I support and why I am here today.”
Dr. Jocelyn Scott, Australian Barrister and renowned writer and advocate of women’s rights, referred to the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur and the fact-finding mission, stating, “The institutionalized oppression of women in Iran must be granted the legitimacy they deserve.” Dr. Scott stressed that any efforts to undermine these reports must be resisted by governments of goodwill, urging them to act on the recommendations for justice and redress.
Dr. Scott also emphasized the role of the international community in prosecuting those responsible for the regime’s crimes, stating, “The condemnation of the IRGC and its proscription as a terrorist organization must be affirmed.” She concluded by calling on the UK government to support the NCRI’s democratic platform, which offers a viable path toward democracy, justice, and freedom in Iran.
Lord Hacking expressed his long-standing commitment to supporting the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom. He reflected on his involvement in these meetings since their inception, saying, “I have been coming to these meetings ever since we started this particular round of meetings here in parliament.”
Lord Hacking underscored the ongoing atrocities committed by the Iranian regime and the need for continued international efforts to hold it accountable. Reflecting on his long-standing support for Iranian freedom, he stated, “The murders and atrocious breaches of human rights continue in Iran, and we should join together in taking whatever steps we can to suppress that dreadful regime.”
Councilor Robert Ward highlighted the Iranian regime’s repression at home and its support for terrorism abroad. Reflecting on his past visits to Iran in the late 1970s, Ward expressed hope for a similar collapse of the current theocracy, stating, “One of the great surprises to me was how quickly the Shah’s regime collapsed. Let’s hope that this can be repeated.” He expressed frustration at the continued appeasement of the Iranian regime, remarking, “I continue to find it utterly baffling that we continue to appease the regime.”
Ward called on the UK government to take decisive steps, including prescribing the Iranian regime and ending its ability to operate unchecked. He commended Maryam Rajavi’s leadership and the NCRI’s efforts, saying, “You, Madam Rajavi, and your Ten-Point Plan are a beacon of hope, not only in Iran but elsewhere.” Ward urged the government to keep its promise and stand on the right side of history by supporting the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom.
Masoud Zabeti, Co-Chair of the Global Litigation Practice, highlighted the importance of holding the Iranian regime accountable for its crimes, particularly the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners. Zabeti praised the historic report by former UN Special Rapporteur Javaid Rehman, which officially documented the crimes by the regime. “For the first time now, it’s been recorded, the crimes against humanity and genocide committed by the Iranian regime in 1988,” he said, emphasizing the bravery of the political prisoners who refused to denounce their resistance to tyranny and were executed for their beliefs.
Zabeti also criticized Western policy toward the Iranian regime, particularly its longstanding approach to appeasement. “Appeasement has been a policy, sadly, that has been pursued for far too long,” he remarked, adding that the consequences of this policy have not only affected the Iranian people but have also led to the regime’s export of terrorism and fundamentalism across the Middle East. Zabeti concluded with a firm commitment to justice, stating, “We will find them, we will bring them to justice, and recover all the assets they have stolen from the Iranian people over the last 40 years.”
Dr. Leyla Hannbeck shared her personal story of growing up under the Iranian regime’s repression, recounting a traumatic experience when, at just four years old, the Revolutionary Guards stormed her home in the middle of the night. “Their idea of entertaining a child was to take them to see how they were whipping women in prison,” she said, highlighting the brutal nature of the regime. Dr. Hannbeck, who now heads an organization representing 6,000 community pharmacies across the UK, emphasized the importance of the UN Special Rapporteur’s report on the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses, saying, “For me, who has witnessed this brutality, it means a lot.”
She called on the UK government to support the Iranian people’s desire for freedom and democracy, urging action to back democratic procedures like those enjoyed in the UK. “I wish our government would support the Iranian people’s wish for freedom and democracy,” she stated, reflecting the deep impact of her experiences and her hope for a democratic future in Iran.
