In our previous piece, we discussed Maryam Rajavi’s keynote address and some of the distinguished women who spoke alongside her. Here we will continue our look at the other women who spoke at the MEK conference.
Zinat Mirhashemi, Editor in Chief of Nabard-e-Khalq Review, said that women have always played an important role in the fight for freedom in Iran, but now the women held the “highest ranks” in the struggle.
NCRI’s Zinat Mirhashemi: “In the 120 yrs of struggle for freedom in Iran women have had a major role. In this movement, men & women are fighting together for a common cause. Where women have a significant role, victory is assured.”#FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi #WeSupportMEK pic.twitter.com/6bkMeob6P4
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 14, 2019
She said: “This is the assurance of [the MEK’s] future and women’s equality will be fulfilled because these women are leaders… Where women have a significant role, victory is assured. The future is ours… The women who are in prison are our pride. Our movement for justice in Iran has a wealth of women from across Iran.”
Khadija Ziyani, Moroccan MP, told the women of the MEK that the world would remember them for this fight and said she was “very optimistic” that the MEK would win the fight because of their determination and strong values.
Moroccan MP Khadija Ziyani: “I’m very optimistic that you’ll obtain freedom in Iran, not for power, but with hearts that don’t give up. You have high human values. I’ve never seen such determination as I’ve seen in @Maryam_Rajavi.”#FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi #WeSupportMEK pic.twitter.com/G9rTWwpxLj
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 14, 2019
Dr Maria Ryan, Cottage Hospital CEO, said that misogyny was rampant in Iran, but that the MEK’s commitment to gender equality would go down in history books as what transformed Iran following the fall of the mullahs.
Dr Maria Ryan, Cottage Hospital CEO: “I’ve never seen misogyny as a culture as it is in Iran. It is systematic. In 50yrs, books will speak about your Resistance & @Maryam_Rajavi. I put Mrs Rajavi up w/ the forefathers of my country”#FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi #WeSupportMEK pic.twitter.com/6YxoVkeYRY
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 14, 2019
While Italian MP Giuseppina Occhionero said that the women are the “force of change in Iran”, which is why the MEK’s top positions are filled with “women who put fear behind them”.
Italian MP @Giusepp97262183: “You women are the force of change in Iran. Your struggle for civil rights is an honor for all the world, especially for me. @Maryam_Rajavi‘s deep views for human rights adds to our responsibility”#FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi #WeSupportMEK pic.twitter.com/WwraBWmuoG
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 14, 2019
Former Romanian MP Maria Grecea said the Regime is at a “political and social dead-end”, which makes this a highly important time for the MEK and its supporters. She encouraged supporters to help the Iranian people because “the fascist dictators of Iran must fall”.
Former Romanian MP Maria Grecea: “Iran’s regime is at a political & social dead-end. We the supporters of the NCRI & MEK must help Iranian ppl. History has proven that things will change and the fascist dictators of Iran will fall”#FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi #WeSupportMEK pic.twitter.com/asqF50gt9z
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 14, 2019
She said: “This is important not only for the people of Iran but for the world because an exporter of terrorism will be eliminated. Your persistence was seen when the [MEK] built international support for Iranians, especially for the popular uprising of 2017/2018. The international pressure and the ongoing protests have put the regime in a difficult situation.”
Edit Bauer, Former MEP from Slovakia, said that the MEK is “special” because of women’s key role in the group, noting that Rajavi “educated and trained a generation of women who are capable of leading Ashraf residents through ups and downs” as well as “a generation of men who can cooperate with women in building their nation”.
She said: “You have confronted fundamentalism in a way that no other movement has. You have proven the failure of the mullahs’ ideology in practice. I’m seeing the strengthening of the support for your movement around the world.”
Edit Bauer, ex-MEP from Slovakia: “The key role of women in the struggle for freedom in Iran makes your resistance special to me. @Maryam_Rajavi has educated/trained a generation of women who are capable of leading Iranians to a #FreeIran.” #IStandWithMaryamRajavi #WeSupportMEK pic.twitter.com/vgK4zhhiBI
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 14, 2019