Villiers, amidst other attendees at the conference, lauded the courage of Iranian women who boldly protested. The former secretary stated, “It is almost exactly a year since the death of Mahsa Amini… [it] brought thousands upon thousands of women out onto the street to protest in Iran to demand a better future.”
Blackman noted the significance of this latest uprising being predominantly led by women, fighting for basic rights like “the right to dress as one wishes, the right to have equality between men and women.” The MP praised the NCRI, especially its President-elect Maryam Rajavi, for championing this movement.
Most notably, she reflected on the tragic murder of Mahsa Amini and others who were victims of a regime “that has zero respect for human rights.”
Drawing attention to the oppressive demeanor of the Iranian regime, both within its borders and on the global stage, Day underscored the urgent necessity for regime change. “As a democratic politician, I’m always very wary of calling for regime change in other nations… but I can make an exception with regards to Iran for several obvious reasons,” he noted in his impassioned speech. He condemned “the totally oppressive undemocratic nature” of Iran’s dealings with its citizens and its “inhumane and undemocratic” actions in the international arena, decrying its challenges to global democracy.
Reflecting on her personal experiences, she underscored the audacity of those pushing the boundaries for liberty in Iran. Throughout her poignant address, the Baroness emphasized the significance of the struggle for freedom. She shared, “As I was getting ready this morning to come to the conference, I had a knock at the door and it just made me reflect on what it must be like for those women and girls who are fighting for their freedom, what it must be like to get a knock on the door.”
Perkins recounted his participation in the Free Iran World Summit 2023 in Paris, a significant event that attracted parliamentarians globally, showcasing the universal endorsement for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan. “It was amazing to see so many parliamentarians from right across the world all joining together… all recognizing the desire of the Iranian people to be free,” Perkins stated in his address.
he event, named “Iran: One Year into Iran’s Popular Uprising, Onward to the Democratic Republic”, drew the attention of key British lawmakers and distinguished personalities. With prominent women from the UK Houses of Parliament taking center stage, the conference served as a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance in the face of adversity. Azadeh Zabeti, the Co-President of the Anglo-Iranian lawyers, masterfully directed the proceedings.
Activists from the Resistance Units, the PMOI’s network inside Iran, projected images of the organization’s emblem, founders, and leaders in various cities across the nation.
Critics have lambasted this hypocritical gesture, accusing the regime of exploiting religious and spiritual ceremonies for political gain, especially amidst the dire economic situation in Iran.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals place emphasis on universal access to education, highlighting the importance of literacy and numeracy. However, for many in Iran, particularly women and girls, basic literacy remains an unreachable aspiration.
