On January 11, former Slovenian Prime Minister and Democratic Party leader Janez Janša delivered a compelling address at an international conference in Paris, urging worldwide support for the Iranian people’s fight for democracy and human rights.
Janša drew attention to the Iranian regime’s threats to global peace and security, emphasizing its oppressive domestic policies and destabilizing activities abroad. He criticized Europe’s history of appeasing Tehran and called for a stronger approach, including sanctions, designating the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, and expelling Iranian agents operating in Europe.
In his speech, Janša praised the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its leader, Maryam Rajavi, endorsing her Ten-Point Plan as a blueprint for democracy and human rights in Iran. He concluded by asserting that regime change is inevitable and is the only viable path to achieving peace and stability in the region.
The full text of Janez Janša’s speech follows:
Mrs. President, Maryam Rajavi, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished, participants, esteemed leaders, dear friends, dear friends in Albania, and Ashraf III, thank you for this honor to be able to address you at this important conference.
We have said this many times and, we are going to repeat this message as long as needed. The people of Iran deserve democracy, freedom, and the protection of human rights. It was said many times, but as I said, we will repeat it as long as it is needed.
And the international community has to provide unwavering support to their aspirations. Today, we confront a profound crisis that challenges both regional and international peace and security driven by the Iranian regime.
This regime not only perpetuates severe international repression but has also broadened its destructive influence across borders, not only in its neighborhood but also in its open military support for Russia and against Ukraine as it was described by Prime Minister Tymoshenko, recently.
For over 45 years, Europe’s policy towards Iran has primarily focused on attempting to change the regime’s behavior through a strategy of carrots and sticks. Regrettably, far too often offering carrots as was very accurately described before by Prime Minister Truss.
So, I will not repeat it because I agree completely with what you have said. As I said, this policy has failed mostly because it has overlooked the most critical elements in Iran. The people themselves, and the organized resistance movement that is active nationwide under the leadership of President Maryam Rajavi.
The past year marked a dramatic escalation in the regime’s brutal tactics with some 1,000 executions recorded. I repeat, recorded. I believe that there are many others that are not recorded, and we have to be aware of that.
In a July 2024 report, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran found Iranian officials responsible for ongoing crimes against humanity and genocide. Even the United Nations, an organization that has not been very accurate in describing the situation in totalitarian regimes, noticed this. So, it has to be it has to be tragic.
Internally, Iran faces an economic meltdown in a citizenry that exists despite severe crackdowns.
Regionally, the shocking fall of Assad, a lynchpin of the Iranian regime’s Middle East strategy, has significantly unhinged the regime, exposing its vulnerabilities and diminishing its strategic foothold in the region.
This was described by previous speakers, so I will not go into details.
⚠️‼️New Policy on #Iran:
Privileged to speak at International Conference- Paris-
11 January 2025 with:@Maryam_Rajavi, Lt. General @generalkellogg, former National Security Advisor to US VP and POTUS, selected as Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia by President… pic.twitter.com/GxADQtMgWH— Janez Janša (@JJansaSDS) January 12, 2025
We had we had, European elections last week. There will be significant changes in the United States in the policy toward the Middle East as it was described before by esteemed speakers from the United States.
This is why I think that also the partially new EU leadership, especially, the part of it under the foreign policy, stewardship chief of the High Representative Madam Kaja Kallas presents an opportune moment to recalibrate to recalibrate EU approach towards Iran.
We must transition from engagement to a poster of firmness reflecting the gravity of the Iranian regime sections and the resilience of its people.
Part of that recalibration must be to stand with the organized structured resistance movement in Iran. This is very important. The European Union’s revised strategy should emphasize, first, rigorous enforcement of existing sanctions, then blacklisting the Russian regards as a terrorist organization.
This is not very difficult to do. Only political decision is needed. But it will it will have significant repercussions. Then introduction of targeted new measures to cut off the regime’s financial lifelines. Partly, as it was also described before, through the oil exports.
Then the closure of at least some regime’s diplomatic outposts in Europe, which could be misused as hubs for orchestrating terrorism, and also the expulsion of Tehran’s operatives who continue their malignant activities on European soil. Everything was proven, so there is no secret in this. It just has to be done.
Then, of course, strong support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran and its democratic vision. Mrs. Rajavi, it has been said before, but it’s worth to be repeated.
The Ten-Point Plan for Iran’s future highlights crucial commitments to democracy, human rights, and a non-nuclear status aiming to replace tyranny with a government that that expects that expects the dignity and freedoms of its people. So this is the alternative.
And, also, recognition of the struggle of the Iranian people and the Resistance Units against the Revolutionary Guard.
You know, we have seen the downfall of Assad. Tyrants do fall. The theocracy ruling Iran is no exception, and it is crucial to clarify that when we discuss regime change, we are not advocating a return to any kind of dictatorship, but endo endorsing the establishment of the Democratic Republic. This is the alternative.
And change as you said before, this is the moment. Change in Iran is inevitable. Regime change and peaceful transition of power back to the Iranian people is crucial. Also, this is the only viable solution to stop exporting terrorism, bringing peace and stability to the Middle East and wider region.
And finally, my sincere advice regarding the peaceful transition of power after the collapse of the war regime. A peaceful transition is a very noble goal. The victor has to be generous not to retaliate against ordinary members or followers of the regime. But for the leadership of the regime, for those who committed terrible crimes against your compatriots, who murdered your brothers and sisters, taking them as political prisoners, for the prosecutors of the regime, there has to be justice.
Former 🇸🇮 PM @JJansaSDS urges EU foreign policy chief @kajakallas to adopt a new Iran strategy:
1⃣ Enforce existing sanctions
2⃣ #BlacklistIRGC
3⃣ End Iran’s oil exports
4⃣ #ShutDownIranTerrorEmbassies
5⃣ Support #NCRIAlternative
6⃣ Recognise Resistance Units’ right to fight IRGC pic.twitter.com/qh6YpBlH83— M. Hanif Jazayeri (@HanifJazayeri) January 13, 2025
There has to be justice also because of the historical lesson. History teaches us that unpunished evil always returns. Unpunished evil always comes back. There was no justice after the collapse of the evil empire of the Soviet Union. And this is the main reason this is the main reason we are facing Russian aggression against Ukraine. Don’t repeat this mistake. But first, the change has to happen.
To make this change a reality as soon as possible, it is crucial to recognize that Iran has a democratic alternative in the form of the National Council of the Resistance of Iran, which has presented a clear plan for the transition, and it deserves international support and unwavering international support.
The new or partially new leadership has to extend gratitude to all of you for your dedication and unwavering commitment to the cause of a free run, which brings peace and stability to the region as well. Your fight for freedom is our common fight for this.
Thank you.
