MEPs Denounce Rights Abuses in Iran
The Friends of a Free Iran (FOFI) inter-group hosted a conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on October 24, 2019 condemning the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses and export of terror
Written by Shamsi Saadati
Members of the European Parliament are appealing to the new European Commission leadership to adopt a firm policy towards Iran’s regime.
The Friends of a Free Iran (FOFI) inter-group hosted a conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on October 24, 2019, condemning the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses and export of terror.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, was the event’s keynote speaker.
Participants also called for accountability for Iranian regime officials regarding the 1988 massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners in Iran. Most of these victims were members and supporters of the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, Mujahedin-e Khalq or MEK).
The following is the text of a statement by FOFI following the conference:
European Parliament
Friends of a Free Iran (FoFI)
Friends of a Free Iran – European Parliament – Strasbourg – 24 Oct 2019
Iran Conference: European Lawmakers Condemn Human Rights Violations and Export of Terrorism by the Iranian Regime;
Introduction of a new book: Crime Against Humanity
Call on the EU and the European governments to adopt a firm policy
On Wednesday 23 October 2019, a conference was held by Friends of a Free Iran group which consists of many members of the European Parliament from different political groups. Over 30 MEPs and dozens of parliamentary assistants and advisers took part and spoke on the situation of human rights in Iran, the mullahs’ destructive role in the region and sponsoring international terrorism.
Maryam Rajavi
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@Maryam_Rajavi
Replying to @Maryam_Rajavi
Western governments and the United Nations closed their eyes on this crime. Enjoying impunity for such a horrible crime, the regime spread its war to the Middle East which is still ongoing. #1988Massacre #NoImpunity4Mullahs #FreeIran
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Anna Fotyga MEP, former Polish foreign minister, chaired the conference, titled, “Warmongering and Suppression by Iranian Regime, European Union Policy.”
The keynote speaker was Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). She announced that the top leaders of the mullahs’ regime in Iran, including the Supreme Leader, the President, the Chief of the Judiciary, and the Justice Minister were all directly involved in the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners 30 years ago.
Maryam Rajavi
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@Maryam_Rajavi
· 23 Oct 2019
Replying to @Maryam_Rajavi
The only answer to a regime that has deliberately foiled the initiatives of Europe, particularly of France, is a firm policy which obliges Europe to support the Iranian people’s resistance to establish democracy &popular sovereignty. #FreeIran #1988Massacre #NoImpunity4Mullahs
Maryam Rajavi
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@Maryam_Rajavi
This book contains the names of the martyrs, the addresses of some of the secret graves, as well as the names of 35 Death Commissions and their 86 members. 63% of these perpetrators are presently officials of the regime in Iran. #1988Massacre #NoImpunity4Mullahs #FreeIran
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Mrs. Rajavi introduced for the first time a new book titled “Crime against Humanity” to the elected representatives of the European people. The book consists of the names and pictures of over 5,000 members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI), the victims of the 1988 massacre. It also has information on dozens of mass graves in 36 cities and the identities of 86 officials of the Iranian regime who participated in 35 death commissions engaged in conducting summary trials.
She added: “Western governments and the United Nations turned a blind eye on this. Not held to account for such a horrible crime, the regime was emboldened to spread its atrocities to the Middle East, which is still continuing. They instigated a blood bath in Syria and fuelled the war in Yemen. In recent months, the mullahs and their revolutionary guards struck at vessels in international waters, and at oil installations and airports in neighboring countries. Clearly, they do so because they do not face any firmness.”
Mrs. Rajavi called for firm policy by the European Union including the below points:
The EU must condition all trade and ties with the Iranian regime to an end of executions and torture in Iran.
The dossier of the massacre of political prisoners must be referred to the UN Security Council and international courts and the perpetrators should face justice.
The world community, especially the European Union, must recognize the Iranian people’s right to resist and change the clerical regime, and to establish democracy and human rights in Iran.
The chair of the conference Mrs. Fotyga condemned the human rights violations in Iran and emphasized that a resolution on the repression of women in Iran was adopted at the European Parliament last month. She expressed her support for the Iranian democratic opposition under the leadership of Mrs. Rajavi.
The former leader of the Friends of a Free Iran in previous terms: Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former vice-president of the European Parliament (1999-2014) and former MEP Struan Stevenson, were also invited to speak at the conference. Ms. Ingrid Betancourt, a renowned human rights defender and former presidential candidate in Colombia, and Ms. Rama Yade, former Human Rights Minister of France, also spoke at the event.
Members of the European Parliament from different political groups strongly condemned the grave human rights violations in Iran and commended the Iranian resistance in its unwavering struggle to inform the world about the mullahs’ shocking conduct at home and abroad. They expressed their support for Mrs. Rajavi’s movement and her 10-point platform for a secular, democratic Iran.
NCRI-FAC
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@iran_policy
Replying to @iran_policy
MEP @anthea_mcintyre: #Iranians took2the streets on several occasions. In the last uprising, people called on regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to go. The people do not want this regime.The #EU policy must be based on this reality.#FreeIran #NoImpunity4Mullahs #IranProtests
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MEPs stressed the need for Europe to put the issue of human rights at the core of its policy vis-a-vis the Iranian regime and underscored that resistance against the ruling religious dictatorship in Iran is a right of the Iranian people.
Friends of a Free Iran
Friends of a Free Iran (FoFI) is an informal group in the European Parliament which was formed in 2003 and enjoys the active support of many MEPs from various political groups