During a conference held on Wednesday, October 11, at the French National Assembly, participants including French parliamentarians, members, and supporters of the Iranian Resistance, alongside human rights activists and politicians, convened to address and engage in discussions concerning the severe human rights conditions prevailing in Iran. The occasion coincided with the World Day Against Death Penalty, emphasizing the urgent need for attention and action.
The President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran Mrs. Maryam Rajavi stated in her speech:
“The world must stand against the mullahs’ warmongering. Instrumentalizing the Palestinian issue is a well-known tactic of this deceitful regime. Today, Khamenei and Raisi want to transform the Iranian people‘s uprising and struggle against religious fascism in Iran into a Muslim-Jewish war.
“Khamenei has openly stated that if the regime does not engage in conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, it will have to confront the angry people and rebellious youth in Kermanshah, Hamedan, Isfahan, and Tehran.
“The massacre of innocent civilians fuels religious fascism in Iran and serves as a shield and cover to suppress the uprising and avoid its downfall. To achieve peace and freedom, one should target the head of the snake (leadership) in Tehran.
Conference in Paris on the World Day against the Death Penalty
The right policy is to stand up to the regime of executions, terrorism, and warmongering#StopExecutionsInIran#NoDeathPenalty pic.twitter.com/3PDOEv2gds— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) October 11, 2023
“The time has come to revise European politics.”
André Chassaigne, head of the Communist bloc in the French Parliament, highlighted the MEK Resistance Units’ 414+ operations in Tehran against the regime’s repression during the anniversary of the nationwide uprising. He emphasized their role as the sole unified force opposing the regime and noted that the death penalty in Iran serves as a political tool for widespread suppression.
Ms. Marietje Schaake, a member of the National Assembly from the Socialist Party, stressed the need for France to consistently address the issue of executions in the Parliament and the Senate. She argued that this struggle is ongoing and must be highlighted to showcase opposition to such crimes occurring worldwide.
Émile Blessig, a former senior MP and co-founder of the parliamentary Committee for Democratic Iran, emphasized the crucial role of the NCRI, in the quest for a free and democratic Iran with a separation of religion and state. He stressed that the world cannot ignore the rising number of executions in Iran, and the perpetrators, including the IRGC, will face prosecution.
“By supporting the Iranian people’s struggle, we are also fighting for peace in the world”, Mr. Blessing concluded.
MP Philippe Gosselin, the deputy head of the parliamentary Committee for Democratic Iran, expressed that he has roots with General de Gaulle, and on this international day against executions, like him, “I want to tell you that the flame of resistance that you have lit should not be extinguished.”
“We are all working together to ensure it does not go out, and we stand by you to achieve victory for freedom as soon as possible, victory for Iran and its people against the regime,” Mr. Gosselin added.
On this day, I would like to remember my Baluch compatriots, some 130 of whom have been hanged this year. The mullahs have resorted to the hanging noose to quell the uprisings. But the question remains, why are France and other European democracies still appeasing this murderous… pic.twitter.com/V7HpxBcntq
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) October 11, 2023
MP Cécile Rilhac, from the majority party (Renaissance), expressed pride in supporting the Iranian people’s struggle for a democratic republic. The initiative received widespread support from representatives across political movements. Despite facing opposition from those advocating appeasement with the mullahs.
Mrs. Dominique Attias, head of the European Lawyers’ Foundation, highlighted Ebrahim Raisi’s involvement in the massacre of 30,000 prisoners. Mrs. Attias mentioned that Mrs. Rajavi had been calling for the abolition of executions since 2006. She also mentioned that with its lies, the regime is attempting to discredit the resistance that Mrs. Rajavi represents.
Professor Aude de Thuin, former president of the Supreme Education Union, emphasized that the fight in Iran is about fundamental human rights, not just the hijab. Professor de Thuin noted the ongoing revolution of Iranian women, regardless of the hijab. She called on the United Nations to investigate the large number of arrests and disappearances, urging France to support the UN’s investigative mission.
Jean-François Legaret, former mayor of Paris’s first district, noted the resilience of the MEK despite the dreadful and brutal repression. He commended the organization and its efforts.
Jacques Bouthier, a unionist in the educational and university sector, stressed that the struggle for a democratic Iran is the cornerstone of the future of humanity and freedom in all countries.
Tahar Boumedra, the director of the Committee for Justice for the victims of the 1988 massacre (JVMI) and former representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq for Ashraf, highlighted the need for the Iranian regime’s president Ebrahim Raisi to be prosecuted and tried for his direct involvement in the extrajudicial executions of thousands of political prisoners. He also mentioned the rise in executions in Iran despite global progress in abolishing the death penalty.
