Held in Brussels, the event saw members and supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) gather to mark the uprising’s anniversary. Guy Verhofstadt emphasized that the protests, which initially condemned the oppression of women, evolved to challenge the very foundation of the ruling establishment.
Addressing the audience, Mr. Verhofstadt said, “We have seen something historical in Iran…all these women and men taking the streets to protest against the Mullah regime.”* He shed light on the roots of the unrest, stating that the upheaval was an “explosion, an eruption of a whole population of all Iranian people because they are angry, angry against the regime, angry against the atrocities that for more than 40 years have been done by the Mullahs in Iran.”
Woman, life, freedom…
No to the oppressor… whether it is the Shah or the Mullah ! pic.twitter.com/Zvt1Oj7BG1
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) September 15, 2023
Verhofstadt went on to express disappointment in the EU’s stance, emphasizing its inefficacy. “This so-called policy and strategy of critical engagement is in fact purely symbolic… And it has to be changed by another strategy. A strategy of change of the regime. That has to be our strategy, not a strategy of critical engagement.”
The former Belgian PM laid out a five-point strategy that Europe should adopt regarding Iran: Engaging with the democratic opposition, expanding the list of those subject to sanctions, blacklisting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, establishing an international body to investigate Iranian atrocities, and ceasing any negotiations on a nuclear deal with Iran.
He recounted how he brought these concerns directly to the attention of Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative. Verhofstadt stated, “I made all these demands last week to Josep Borrell… asking him to drastically change strategy. And that with the support of the left, the right, the center, so nearly unanimously.”
Former #Belgian PM @guyverhofstadt:
The protests were a sudden explosion of the anger of the Iranian people from 40 years of the mullahs’ rule. #IranRevoIution https://t.co/zGxy63Lr7N— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 15, 2023
Mr. Verhofstadt’s strong words resonated with many attendees, especially as he concluded by emphasizing the duty of the global community to support Iranians, calling them the “bravest people on earth.”
The EU’s response and any potential shift in policy remains to be seen, but the clarion call from the former Belgian Prime Minister has certainly added weight to the voices demanding a change in approach towards Iran.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
