AKI: Conservative Italian MP and president of Italy's Association of Moroccan Women, Souad Sbai, lauded the European Union's decision on Monday to remove an Iranian opposition movement from its terror blacklist.
Adnkronos International
Rome, 26 Jan. (AKI) – Conservative Italian MP and president of Italy's Association of Moroccan Women, Souad Sbai, lauded the European Union's decision on Monday to remove an Iranian opposition movement from its terror blacklist.
"I learn with immense happiness of the decision by the EU to remove the Iranian resistance movement, 'People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran', from the list of terror organisations," said Sbai (photo) in a statement to the media.
Sbai, who is now an MP for the ruling conservative People of Freedom party, said she felt happy for the people of Iran, which she claims is 'close' to the resistance movement.
"Above all, we are in a dramatic moment in the life of the Iranian people, who feel very close to this movement and their struggle.
"Let's not forget that only two days ago, 22 people were killed in Iran and many others are executed by hanging because they are convicted by the Tehran regime," she said.
Sbai also praised the EU's decision to de-list the PMOI because it will signify a step forward for women's rights in Iran.
The decision "will allow them (the PMOI) to continue their struggle for civilisation, democracy and freedom, in particular for Muslim women that live the drama of obscurantist fanaticism in Iran."
Sbai also launched an appeal to Italian politicians to help the PMOI in its struggle, and in particular for the students "who fight everyday for the freedom of women that live in the hell of obscurantism."
The EU on Monday also decided to unfreeze the PMOI's assets. It is the first time an organisation has been de-listed as terrorist organisation by the group of 27 nations.
The PMOI was founded in 1965 with the aim of overthrowing Iran's Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. Its leader Maryam Rajavi has allegedly operated an armed group inside Iran, called the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
The group says that it renounced violence in 2001.
Rajavi visited various European countries in 2008 to lobby for the group to be taken off the EU's terrorist blacklist and have its funds released.
