{"id":87425,"date":"2026-06-21T16:34:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T14:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=87425"},"modified":"2026-06-21T16:34:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T14:34:35","slug":"boris-johnson-slams-french-rally-ban-voices-support-for-irans-democratic-opposition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/free-iran-2026\/2026\/06\/boris-johnson-slams-french-rally-ban-voices-support-for-irans-democratic-opposition\/87425\/","title":{"rendered":"Boris Johnson Slams French Rally Ban, Voices Support for Iran\u2019s Democratic Opposition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Boris
Boris Johnson criticizes France rally ban, urges support for Iran\u2019s democratic movement and amplifying voices of freedom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson sharply criticized the French government\u2019s decision to ban a major rally supporting the Iranian opposition, calling the move unjustifiable and politically motivated. Speaking at the Free Iran World Summit in Paris<\/a> on June 20, 2026, Johnson dismissed official explanations\u2014including weather and security concerns\u2014as \u201cnonsense\u201d and \u201cpathetic.\u201d<\/p>\n

He suggested the cancellation reflected undue pressure from Tehran, pointing to reported high-level contacts between French officials and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Johnson described the decision as a \u201ccraven\u201d concession that silences pro-democracy voices at a critical moment.<\/p>\n

Emphasizing that meaningful change must come from within Iran, Johnson drew parallels with the end of apartheid in South Africa and the fall of Soviet communism. He expressed strong support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI<\/a>), highlighting \u00a0Maryam Rajavi<\/a>\u2019s Ten-Point Plan<\/a> as a viable roadmap toward a democratic future.<\/p>\n

Labeling the Iranian regime as repressive and reliant on fear, Johnson urged Western governments to amplify, rather than restrict, the voices of Iranian freedom advocates. He stressed that supporting these voices abroad is essential to advancing democratic change inside Iran.<\/p>\n

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.@BorisJohnson<\/a>, former UK PM: We are here to support the values at the heart of Maryam Rajavi\u2019s Ten-Point Plan: equality for women, an independent judiciary, human rights, free speech, and freedom from arbitrary detention and torture. #FreeIran10PointPlan<\/a>https:\/\/t.co\/g3ONtB4sLc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) June 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n