A few days had passed since the remarkable gathering of the Iranian resistance, in which over 500 political figures from five continents participated. During this event, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), with the vigilance and efforts of its members, summarized and documented the uprising and political situation of the past year in Iran within the span of four days.
Before the detailed contents of these important political events were fully covered in the news, it was announced that Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the NCRI, as a “special guest,” would be attending a hearing of the Foreign Committee in the Italian Parliament during a trip to Italy.
Perhaps few anticipated that immediately after the impressive gathering of the Resistance and the Free Iran World Summit 2023, the Iranian Resistance would engage in another sphere of political and enlightening activity within the Italian Parliament.
Observers and supporters of the resistance did not overlook this ardent daily struggle. Senator Marco Scurria, the secretary of the European Union Policy Commission in the Italian Senate, who also participated in the gathering, expressed his gratitude, and acknowledged the courage displayed by the resistance in their daily struggle. He noted that while it is relatively easy to be an opposition in democratic and European countries, where the battle takes place in parliamentary chambers, the streets, and public squares, opposing a regime like that of the mullahs can lead to imprisonment or even execution.
On Wednesday, July 12, Mrs. Rajavi traveled to Italy, where she attended a session of the Foreign Commission in the Italian Parliament dedicated to discussing the situation in Iran. During her speech at the hearing, she outlined three key aspects of the current state of Iran: the people’s uprisings and protests aimed at overthrowing the mullahs’ regime, the growing activities of the organized resistance, and the regime’s failure to address social, economic, and political issues. Mrs. Rajavi provided detailed explanations for each of these points.
Furthermore, she highlighted the efforts of the Iranian resistance towards establishing a democratic republic founded on principles such as the separation of religion and state, gender equality, the abolition of the death penalty, the autonomy of various ethnic groups, and a non-nuclear Iran. Towards the end of her speech, she urged the Italian government and the European Union to designate the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. She also called for recognition of the Iranian people’s right to overthrow the regime, referring the human rights violations in Iran to the Security Council, severing economic ties with the regime, and imposing comprehensive sanctions.
Following the session at the Foreign Commission, Mrs. Rajavi proceeded to a joint meeting of representatives from the Italian Parliament and Senate, where she delivered another speech. Notably, the meeting included members from both chambers of the Italian legislature, as well as Mr. John Bercow, the former Speaker of the British House of Commons (2009-2019), who also addressed the gathering. During this meeting, the Italian representatives presented Mrs. Rajavi with statements expressing their support, representing the majority of both the Parliament and the Senate. These statements emphasized the legitimacy of the Iranian people’s uprising and rejected the dictatorships of both the Shah and the mullahs. They also voiced their endorsement of Mrs. Rajavi’s ten-point plan.
In response, Mrs. Rajavi expressed her gratitude for the support received and regarded these statements as more than mere words. She recognized them as a demonstration of the correct policy and approach adopted by most Italian legislators in addressing the disasters and crises inflicted by religious dictatorship upon the people of Iran, the region, and the world over the past four decades.
Once again, the people of Italy, through their representatives, stood in solidarity with the people and resistance of Iran. The Iranian people have never forgotten that during the 2009 uprising, the Italian embassy in Tehran opened its doors to protestors seeking refuge from the attacks of the regime’s brutal and heartless security forces. The unwavering support of the Italian people and their representatives remains visible to the Iranian people. On the day when the mullahs’ regime is overthrown, the Iranian people will share in the joy and triumph over religious fascism, and the people of Italy will be part of that celebration.
