On November 20, the European Parliament convened a landmark conference in Brussels, spotlighting the Iranian people’s ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights. The event featured Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), as its keynote speaker, underscoring the global significance of Iran’s democratic resistance.
The conference, organized to chart a path toward a free and secular Iran, drew participation from numerous Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), staff, and the Iranian-European diaspora. At its core, the event highlighted the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan—a visionary roadmap for a democratic Iran—and the pressing need for decisive international support for the Iranian Resistance.
A Vision for a Democratic Iran: Maryam Rajavi’s Address
In her address, Mrs. Rajavi outlined five key elements driving Iran’s democratic transformation. These include the popular discontent championed by Resistance Units, the PMOI/MEK’s six-decade legacy, the NCRI’s diverse coalition advocating secularism and equality, robust Iranian diaspora backing, and international endorsements of the Ten-Point Plan.
“The Ten-Point Plan offers a blueprint for a secular, democratic, and non-nuclear Iran that guarantees human rights, gender equality, and autonomy for ethnic groups,” she stated, positioning the plan as both a national and global model for stability.
Rajavi criticized decades of Western appeasement, urging the European Union to adopt a firm stance: “Reject all forms of appeasement and support the Iranian people’s demand for regime change. This is the path to regional and global peace.”
Widespread Support from European Parliamentarians
Several prominent MEPs shared the stage, reaffirming their commitment to Iran’s fight for freedom and endorsing the NCRI’s vision:
- Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former Vice President of the European Parliament, condemned Tehran’s disinformation campaigns targeting the NCRI, calling the organization “a legitimate popular force for a free and democratic Iran.” Highlighting the regime’s human rights abuses, he described Iran as a “pitiless killing machine,” citing Amnesty International’s report that Iran accounted for 74% of global executions in 2023.
- MEP Petras Auštrevičius, a long-time supporter of the NCRI, emphasized the regime’s transnational threats, including state-sponsored terrorism and destabilizing regional activities. “The Iranian regime is a threat not only to its own people but also to Europe and global peace,” he warned, advocating for the EU to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
- MEP Milan Zver praised the NCRI’s resilience and its preparedness to lead a democratic transition. “The NCRI, guided by Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, is ready and capable of taking responsibility for Iran’s future,” he stated, urging European institutions to adopt a bolder stance against Tehran.
Calls for Decisive Action
The conference resonated with a consistent call for the European Union to abandon policies of appeasement and adopt firm measures to counter Iran’s human rights abuses and regional destabilization. Many speakers, including MEPs Rasa Juknevičienė and Arkadiusz Mularczyk, advocated for the EU to blacklist the IRGC and intensify sanctions against Tehran.
MEP Javier Zarzalejos emphasized the regime’s nuclear ambitions and its destabilizing influence in the Middle East. He highlighted the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan as a vision for a future Iran rooted in secular governance, human rights, and environmental protection. Similarly, MEP Carlo Ciccioli called for international solidarity with the Iranian Resistance, stressing that “peace in the Middle East depends on democratic change in Iran.”
The Role of Iranian Women and Youth
The vital role of Iranian women and youth in the resistance was a recurring theme. MEP Estelle Ceulemans and MEP Isabel Benjumea lauded their courage, with Ceulemans pledging her support: “The Iranian women who resist are the backbone of this movement, and we will stand with them.” Benjumea added, “To the young people and women of Iran: You are not alone, and Europe is with you.”
A Unified Stand for Freedom
The event culminated with a unified call for Europe to stand with the Iranian Resistance in its fight for democracy and human rights. Former MEP Dorien Rookmaker captured the collective sentiment: “Maryam Rajavi’s plan for a democratic Iran is vital, not just for Iran but for the world. Appeasement has failed; it is time for decisive action.”
The conference reaffirmed the European Parliament’s commitment to supporting the Iranian people’s aspirations for a free and democratic future. It also underscored the importance of solidarity in overcoming tyranny and fostering global stability.
