LONDON, October 11, 2025 — At Church House Westminster, lawmakers, human rights advocates, and international dignitaries convened for a major conference marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty. The event, organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), focused on Iran’s alarming execution record and amplified support for the democratic vision of NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi.
Speakers from the UK, Europe, and Latin America condemned Iran’s clerical regime, describing it as a “monster of death” and “capital punishment capital of the world.” Many invoked the rallying cry “No to the Shah, no to the mullahs,” while highlighting the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan for a free, secular republic.
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— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) October 11, 2025
Rajavi’s Call for Justice
In her keynote, Maryam Rajavi denounced the regime’s reliance on executions, warning that over 1,200 people had been killed in the first nine months of 2025 — the highest figure in nearly four decades. She described executions of PMOI (People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran) supporters such as Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, and the death of political prisoner Somayeh Rashidi, as “murders committed under the guise of law.”
“The same criminals who ordered that genocide,” she said of the 1988 massacre, “are today in charge of the judiciary, the intelligence apparatus, and the presidency.” Rejecting both monarchy and theocracy, she declared, “No to the Shah, no to the mullahs — no to all forms of dictatorship,” while presenting her Ten-Point Plan for a secular republic grounded in equality, justice, and abolition of the death penalty.
Support from International Figures
Baroness O’Loan revealed a declaration signed by over 500 dignitaries calling for accountability. “Every three and a half hours, a person is executed in Iran,” she said, urging the UK and UN to refer atrocities to the International Criminal Court.
Former Colombian senator Ingrid Betancourt described the conference as “a hall of conscience,” calling executions “an instrument of barbarism.” Praising political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared as “the conscience of Iran,” she insisted, “The MEK is not just a political movement. It is a moral force.”
John Bercow, former Speaker of the UK Parliament, branded Iran’s rulers a “fascist state” and condemned their celebration of the 1988 massacre as “bigotry on an industrial scale.” Echoing the crowd, he said: “No to the Shah, no to the mullahs — yes to democracy, rule of law, and gender equality.”
Italian Senator Giulio Terzi called Tehran “the heinous champion in hanging its people” and urged the IRGC’s immediate designation as a terrorist group, insisting, “Neither with the mullahs nor with the Shah. There is a third option — the NCRI and its Ten-Point Plan.”
Former UN Special Rapporteur Javaid Rehman warned executions in Iran had reached “shocking and unprecedented proportions,” stressing the need for international accountability mechanisms.
Dame Theresa Villiers, former UK Cabinet minister, said “every right-thinking person should be repulsed” by Iran’s executions and assassinations abroad, citing 15 assassination attempts in Britain since 2022. She urged renewed sanctions and IRGC proscription.
Irish Senator Gerard Craughwell declared, “Executions in Iran are not justice — they are murders,” comparing Iran’s struggle to Ireland’s own fight for independence. “Just as Ireland became a Republic, so will Iran,” he said.
Voices from the Resistance
Dowlat Nowrouzi, NCRI’s UK representative, noted 39,000 anti-regime activities carried out by Resistance Units last year. “Our option is the third option — Madam Rajavi’s plan for democratic change,” she stressed.
Massoud Zabeti, representing the Iranian community, cited a statement from 35 transatlantic dignitaries warning of Tehran’s “death and terror” exported abroad. “Your time is up,” he told the regime.
Young Iranians also gave powerful testimonies. Rosa Zarei honored her father and aunt, victims of executions. Teacher Azadeh Hosseini recalled relatives persecuted by both the Shah and the clerics, insisting, “No to Shah, no to Mullahs — yes to freedom.” Law student Neda Zabeti, who lost five relatives, urged Western governments to “end their silence.”
Dr. Omid Ebrahimi praised Iran’s Resistance Units as “the rebellious youth who dare to say no to dictatorship and yes to freedom,” while Rana Rahmanfard called nearly 2,000 executions this year alone “intolerable,” urging concrete action in support of the NCRI.
A United Call for Action
Throughout the conference, the message was consistent: executions in Iran are not justice, but political weapons. The speakers demanded international accountability, sanctions on regime leaders, recognition of the NCRI, and global solidarity with the Iranian people.
“Freedom and democracy will not be granted by tyrants,” Rajavi declared. “They will be earned by the courage of our people, the Resistance Units inside Iran, and the unity of the international community that stands with them.”
