The event, which drew notable German and European figures, as well as representatives from Iranian communities, served as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for justice and human rights in Iran.
The conference, led by Iranian opposition President-elect Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), highlighted the tragic events of 1988, where over 30,000 political prisoners, predominantly members of the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), were executed. This massacre is remembered as one of the darkest chapters in Iran’s history and a stark symbol of the regime’s brutal repression of political dissent.
Mrs. Rajavi opened the conference by honoring Professor Rita Süssmuth, former President of the German Bundestag and a long-time supporter of the Iranian resistance. Rajavi praised Süssmuth’s courage during the 1988 massacre, noting her role as the most vocal critic in the Western world against the atrocities committed by the Iranian regime. Despite the silence of many world leaders at the time, Süssmuth used her position to advocate for the Iranian people’s fight for justice.
Conference Commemorating the Anniversary of the #1988Massacre of Political Prisoners, with the Presence of Ms. Rita Süssmuth and Distinguished European Figures
False Accusations against the Resistance Movement Fulfill the Clerics' Agenda pic.twitter.com/wXFRPnwQmE— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) August 17, 2024
The conference took on a particularly poignant tone following a recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur, Javaid Rehman, who characterized the 1988 massacre as “genocide” and “a crime against humanity.” Rajavi called for an independent investigation into these crimes, urging the international community to prioritize criminal investigations and pursue prosecution against the regime’s leaders for their roles in these “atrocity crimes.”
Professor Süssmuth, in her speech, emphasized the importance of remembering the victims of the 1988 massacre and reflected on the resilience of the Iranian Resistance, particularly the women who have been at the forefront of the struggle for freedom and democracy. She condemned the ongoing policy of appeasement towards the Iranian regime, arguing that the West has been too slow to recognize the regime’s true nature, allowing it to continue its oppressive tactics unchecked.
The conference also featured speeches from several other prominent figures, including Prof. Christoph Degenhart, former Dutch MEP Dorien Rookmaker, and Marion Böker, former President of the International Alliance of Women. Each speaker underscored the importance of countering misinformation against the Iranian Resistance and called for stronger international support for the Iranian people’s fight for justice and human rights.
The @UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in #Iran recently released his last report during his mandate that concerned the #1988Massacre. The UN Special Rapporteur clearly stated that high-ranking officials of the regime have committed genocide and crimes… pic.twitter.com/E9OuOEDLQQ
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) August 17, 2024
As the conference concluded, the overarching message was clear: the international community must take a firmer stance against the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses and support the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice in Iran. The 1988 massacre serves as a stark reminder of the regime’s brutality, and those who perished in the massacre continue to inspire the fight for a free and democratic Iran.
