On Tuesday 17th January a conference was held at the Victor Hugo Hall of the French National Assembly on the topic of “Middle East Developments, French and European Approaches”.
There were numerous speakers from the French Parliament such as Dominique Lefebvre, Michel Terrot, Brigitte Allain, Pascal Deguilhem, Philippe Gosselin and Federic Reiss. There were also other prominent figures from all over the world including Dr. Alejo Vidal Quadras, former Vice President of the European Parliament and Amb. Lincoln Bloomfield, former Assistant US Secretary of State.
The keynote speaker was Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
Rajavi expressed her hope that the year 2017 will bring some positive changes to the situation in the Middle East and to the people of Iran.
Looking back on 2016 she spoke about the successful relocation of Camp Liberty residents to Europe – in particular to Albania. She thanked the Parliamentary Committee for A Democratic Iran and all members of parliament that played a role in this successful relocation.
Rajavi then spoke about the death of the Iranian regime’s number two man – Rafsanjani. She highlighted that he was a pillar of the regime that was involved in the most horrific acts of terrorism abroad and appalling acts of suppression at home. Rajavi emphasised that his death will bring the regime one step closer to its downfall and has made the clerical dictatorship weaker overall.
While the Iranian regime is getting weaker, the people of Iran are getting stronger and more outspoken. Rajavi said that the “memories of the 2009 uprisings haunt the regime” because there are more demonstrations and protests by disgruntled workers, students and political prisoners, as well as their families.
The people of Iran, and Iranians all over the world, are demanding an investigation onto the 1988 massacre in which over 30,000 political prisoners were killed. People want to see the regime brought to justice and punished for such a horrific crime against humanity.
With regards to the Iran nuclear deal, Rajavi pointed out that the Iranian people have not benefited from any aspect of it. The only party that has profited from the deal is the regime that has funded terrorist activities abroad. In Syria in particular there has been a heavy expenditure on supporting Syrian dictator Assad.
Referring to future peace in the region, Rajavi emphasised that Iran needs to stop interfering in the affairs of other countries because it is preventing resolutions. She said: “There will be no political solution as long as the Revolutionary Guards and their militia are on the Syrian soil. So, if we want peace, we must start with expelling the Iranian regime from Syria. The main loser of a ceasefire and peace in Syria is the Iranian regime.”
Rajavi called on the government of the US to act: “The US government’s inaction is the main reason for the continuation of the tragedy in Syria and the Iranian regime’s dominance over this country. The Iranian regime has invested in the West’s policy of appeasement to export its extremism under the banner of Islam. At this point, I would like to commend President Hollande’s policy and approach to the people of Syria. This is the right policy as opposed to the US policy which abandoned Syria.”
Rajavi recommended firmness in dealing with Iran and said: “No country should close their eyes on violations of human rights and women’s rights in Iran for economic interests. Today, there is an alternative for Iran that is based on a democratic project which respects followers of all religions and faiths, non-believers, all freedoms and women’s equality with men. This alternative deserves to be heard. The solution proposed by this alternative can herald a new era for the people of Iran and the region, and of course, for Europe. The only thing we need is to adhere to democratic values.”
