Opening the Italian Parliament conference on Iran, MP Naike Gruppioni called on democratic nations to reject indifference and support the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and human rights.
Opening the international conference “Iran: Beyond War—Human Rights and the Power of the People as the Solution” at the Italian Parliament on July 16, Italian MP Naike Gruppioni called on democratic governments to place the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and human rights at the center of international attention.
Addressing parliamentarians, diplomats, civil society representatives, and members of the Iranian community, Gruppioni argued that defending freedom is not merely a political choice but a moral and institutional responsibility shared by all democracies.
A Conference Centered on Freedom and Human Rights
Gruppioni opened her remarks by thanking Deputy Speaker Fabio Rampelli for hosting the conference in the Italian Parliament and conveyed greetings on behalf of Galeazzo Bignami, leader of the Brothers of Italy parliamentary group in the Chamber of Deputies, who was unable to attend.
She said the conference was intended to draw the international community’s attention to the importance of protecting human rights, freedom, and human dignity in Iran.
According to Gruppioni, discussions about the future of a nation carry obligations that extend beyond politics.
“Whenever this Parliament discusses the destiny of a people, it is not simply carrying out a political act—it is affirming a moral, civic, and institutional responsibility.”
Tribute to Maryam Rajavi
Gruppioni offered a warm welcome to Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), emphasizing that her presence represented far more than that of a political leader.
She described Rajavi as a symbol of hope for millions of Iranians seeking to live in a free, democratic, and peaceful country.
“Your presence represents the hopes of millions of Iranian women and men who long to live in a free, democratic, and peaceful nation.”
She praised Rajavi’s longstanding commitment to democracy, the rule of law, the separation of religion and state, gender equality, and respect for fundamental human rights.
Gruppioni also described Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan as a credible political vision for a future Iran founded on pluralism, democracy, and respect for human dignity.
Human Rights Belong to All Democracies
Turning to the broader significance of the gathering, Gruppioni thanked the parliamentarians, ambassadors, diplomats, academics, and representatives of civil society for attending.
She stressed that the defense of human rights transcends political divisions and should be regarded as a shared responsibility of democratic nations.
According to Gruppioni, the strong attendance at the conference demonstrated that concerns about Iran are not confined to a single political movement but resonate across democratic institutions.
“Indifference Becomes Complicity”
One of the central themes of her speech was the danger of remaining silent in the face of oppression.
Gruppioni warned that history has repeatedly shown how indifference toward injustice can ultimately enable it.
“When a woman risks her life for freedom, when a young person asks only to live without fear, and when a people demand the right to choose their own future, silence is not neutrality—it is surrender.”
She argued that the discussion about Iran reflects a broader universal principle: every individual has the right to live freely, express ideas without fear, and participate democratically in the political life of their country.
The Future Belongs to the Iranian People
Looking beyond the current crisis, Gruppioni said that speaking about the “Iran of the future” is not merely an expression of hope but a recognition of the Iranian people’s right to determine their own destiny.
She said that such a future should rest on democratic participation, political pluralism, equality between women and men, religious freedom, and full respect for fundamental rights.
According to Gruppioni, the purpose of the conference was not simply to analyze current events but to reaffirm international support for the Iranian people’s aspirations for democratic change.
A Responsibility Shared by Democracies
Concluding her address, Gruppioni urged democratic governments to move beyond observation and actively support the principles of freedom, justice, and peace.
She argued that the strength of democracies is measured by their willingness to stand with peoples struggling for liberty rather than turning away from their plight.
“Freedom, democracy, human dignity, and human rights do not belong to one nation alone—they belong to all humanity.”
Her remarks established the central message of the conference: that the future of Iran should be shaped by its people, and that the international community has both a moral and political responsibility to support their pursuit of freedom, democracy, and fundamental human rights.
