Jiulio Terzi, Former Foreign Minister of Italy addressed the Free Iran Rally

Former Italian Prime Minister, Julio Terzi

former Foreign Minister of Italy attended the Free Iran Rally on June 30, 2018 where he addressed a jubilant crowd of tens of thousands of supporters of the Iranian Resistance.

The following is excerpts of his speech

Madam Rajavi, Dear friends; it is a great honor for these Delegation and for me to be here at this magnificent gathering tonight. A gathering which I consider a milestone very close to the achievement of a free Iran. We bring our support to you Madam Rajavi, and to all freedom fighter in Iran in the fight for regime change in Iran. We are here to tell you our profound admiration for the values you are defending not only in the interest of the Iranian people, but in the interest of all humanity. I announce my unconditional support to President elect Rajavi and to PMOI/MEK is even more determined. Now that the desperate and failing to theocracy is trying to a role also Reza Pahlavi Jr. the son of a dictator, the last Shah of Iran. They are trying to role him among the friends of this criminal regime from his golden exile. The son of the last and discredited ruler of Iran speaks against the only and truly democratic resistance which is the PMOI/MEK. Is it a family revenge? Is it anger because of the fight for democracy and freedom that the Mojahedin have always pursued against the dictator first, and the mullah regime after? We refuse to fall in this new trap of the regime. A large part of the Italian society is convinced that being we you means to be on the right side of history. In preparation of this Grand Gathering 38 Italian senators have issued their declaration of support the Iranian people for their uprising, for their resistance against the regime and for their fight for freedom and democracy. And Senator my friend Roberto Rampit will explain what was the initiative of the Italian Senate for the preparation of this gathering. But let me quote just a couple of sentence of that declaration which says it is nearly four decades the regions dictatorship ruling Iran has been denounced for its continuous and gross violation of human rights. More than 120000 Iranian defenders of democracy have been arbitrarily detained tortured and executed. More than 30000 political prisoners were massacred in the summer of 1988 and those perpetrators must be brought to justice. That says this last group of Italian Senators. 

Madam Rajavi has recently said from the outset, the regime has been in war with the people of Iran. All the other wars have been designed to cover up this main conflict. But these wars are no indication of the regime's strength. They are indication that no government has ever attempted to prevent the regime's belligerence. Time for action has come and a new era for regional and global security arises from the shores of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Americans and Europeans need to test their common will and fundamental values to together to prove their commitment no better opportunity exists than an active, strong support to the Iranian Resistance for a regime change in Iran. Thank you.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Speech at the Free Iran 2018 Convention

Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City

We are now, I believe very realistic in being able to see an end of the regime in Iran. We can see it we've lived through this before in other oppressed countries. When the people take to the streets and they protest day after day like they've done in over 142 cities in Iran, like they did the other day in Tehran. When they do that and no matter how much they're oppressed, no matter how much they're beaten, no matter how much they're arrested or no matter how many of them are killed they continue to grow and grow with numbers that now threaten to topple the regime. When that happens then freedom is right around the corner. 

It could have happened eight or nine years ago with the uprising in 2009. The uprising that disgracefully my government turned its back on. Shame on that administration. However this time when it started back in December and January just a few months ago the president of the United States about whom there's a lot of controversy whether he should tweet or not took out his little phone and he tweeted and he supported the protesters. 

I say to those countries, to those countries that continue to support Iran, to those countries that do business with Iran, you are paying for a regime that deprives women of their rights, that deprives children of their rights, and that murders people because they practice a different religion. How can you do that? How much better are you than the terrorists when you are giving them money and propping up this regime? 

Women's groups in particular all over the world should demand that those businesses that continue to do business with this regime should be boycotted, and we should stop doing business with them. We all know that the economy of Iran is in freefall. It's evaporating. We florae a picture of a man that held up a sign and said he was willing to sell his kidney for five hundred dollars. That's a government on the verge of toppling. And what we need to do now is not to lose our determination. We've got to be more determined. This is the time to put on the real pressure.

Thank god my president who can now be proud of my president turned his back on that very dangerous nuclear agreement with Iran. He said no we're not going to do business with the biggest state sponsor of terrorism. We're going to reimpose the sanctions. Everybody said it wouldn't be enough. Gee, just America stopped doing business with you when all of Europe is doing business with Iran. And they should be ashamed of themselves. Well maybe when the greatest economic power in the history of the world stops doing business with you, you have the kind of economic collapse that you now see in Iran. And that is going to get worse, because I guarantee you the sanctions will become greater and greater and greater. This president does not intend to turn his back on freedom fighters. 

Here we're not replacing one government with a government we don't know. You have an alternative you've got an alternative that's built on a solid foundation of 12 principal, democracy human rights, a non-nuclear Iran, separation of Church and State and the rights of women and of all minorities to be protected. My goodness that sounds like a full-fledged democracy.

That's what the NCR stands for. That would madam that we stand for. And that's what your martyrs died for. The era of appeasement is over. Those who practice appeasement are going to find themselves shamed in world history.

The time has come to stand up to the bullies and these murderers and these thieves. Never forget that government of mullahs is not about religion. That government is about stealing. The reason Iran is in an economic freefall when it's been given the huge amount of money is because that money is stolen it's not spent on the people the people of Iran should say to the mullahs and the Ayatollah, give us the billions you stole. 

We fought a worldwide battle to shed the unfair label of terrorism in the United States the United Kingdom the European Union. That label is now gone and you are seen as defenders of human rights, because that's what you are. And we won that battle. Our people that were stranded in Iraq, we finally delivered them to freedom in Albania. 

You've been able to form resistance units all over Iran. Those protests are not happening accidentally. Those protests are happening because they're being coordinated now unlike in 2009.

How much better would an Iran be? Instead of the dictatorial murderous Ayatollah as the face of Iran suppose the face of Iran was a brave woman in a country that recently has had a history and a region of the world of treating women inhumanely and this brave woman will be the face of the new modern liberated Iran. Will it happen? Yes when will it happen? Now. And I want next year at this time, I want us to have this convention in Tehran. Thank you so much.

Former US Attorney General, Michael Mukasey Speaks at Free Iran Convention

Michael Mukasey, former US Attorney General

The following is speech by Michael Mukasey at the Free Iran Gathering in Paris on June 30, 2018

We have heard and we will hear more from speakers for the first time in the eight years since I've been coming to this event. We have heard and we will hear that finally the stars seem to be aligned to accomplish what we all want to accomplish which is the downfall of the Mullahs regime. ...and Even as we hear that the economic rot in Tehran and the political rot in Tehran finally matches the moral rot that has always been at the core of the of the mullahs regime. And as we pause to thank Mrs. Rajavi who has devoted decades of her life to bringing this about and the people who died and the people who are mutilated to help bring it about. And the residents of Camp Ashraf who suffered tremendously and the Albanians who welcomed them gallantly. We all are aware and you are aware and your presence here shows you're aware that there is nothing inevitable in human affairs. We hope that the mullahs will topple but it's going to take more effort. But you are here to show that that effort is going to be forthcoming and I promise you ....I Promise you in my own behalf and on behalf of the others in the American delegation that we know that our efforts will not stop either until the day comes when we can greet each other in a peaceful and free Iran. Thank you very much.

PMOI/MEK network inside Iran supports upcoming Iranian opposition convention

Free Iran, 1000 Ashrafs

Iran, June 24, 2018 - Only six days remain to the Iranian opposition convention scheduled for June 30^th in Paris this year. Following the Dec/Jan nationwide uprising that saw protests in over 140 cities, Iran’s protesting public is continuing to state their demands for regime change throughout the country.

Members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) network inside Iran are risking their very lives to spread leaflets, put up posters and write slogans in graffiti to express their support for the upcoming Iranian opposition convention.

This rally is yet another sign of a democratic and organized opposition movement ready to overthrow the mullahs’ regime in its entirety and establish freedom in Iran.

Isfahan, centeral Iran

During traffic hours, PMOI/MEK network members were seen putting up posters of the Iranian opposition convention and those of Maryam Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

A brave member of MEK rebellion hub in Isfahan, central Iran, puts up a poster of Maryam Rajavi and grand Iranian convention in Paris

Semnan, Northeastern Iran

PMOI/MEK network members put up “Free Iran” posters to voice their support for the upcoming convention in Paris.

Semnan: MEK rebellion hub-214 engages in distributing posters

Khorramabad and Urmia

PMOI/MEK network members in this city sent footage of their colleagues putting up “Free Iran” posters.

Member of MEK rebellion bubs in Khorramabad and Urmia distribute posters in support of Grand Iranian Rally in Paris

Nafaf Abad, central Iran

“Free Iran” leaflets in support of the Iranian opposition convention was seen distributed by PMOI/MEK network members in this city.

Members of MEK rebellion bub in the city of Najaf-Abad distributes color posters in support of Grand Iranian Rally in Paris

Qom, north-central Iran

PMOI/MEK network members distributed posters and leaflets supporting the Iranian opposition convention in Paris and containing quotes of Iranian Resistance leader Massoud Rajavi.

Members of rebellion hubs in the city of Qom distribute posters in support of MEK

Busheher, southern Iran

Graffiti writing in support of the Iranian opposition convention was the scene witnessed from PMOI/MEK network members in this city.

Members of MEK rebellion hubs in the city of Bushehr involve in writing graffiti on the walls

Tehran, the capital

PMOI/MEK network members in the capital were seen distributing leaflets and expressing support for NCRI President Maryam Rajavi, democracy and freedom with Maryam Rajavi, and the ongoing protests across the country.

Tehran: Members of MEK rebellion hub no. 1000 engage in distributing leaflets

Tehran: Distributing leaflets in support of Grand Iranian Gathering in Paris

Aria-Shahr, Tehran: MEK rebellion hub member distributes Free Iran posters

Saqqez, western Iran

“Uprising To Victory” leaflets were distributed by PMOI/MEK network members to voice their support for the upcoming Iranian opposition convention.

Saqqez member of MEK rebellion hub distributes posters

Rasht, Lahijan and Langrud, north of Iran

PMOI/MEK network members in these cities were seen distributing leaflets with various slogans, including “Free Iran,” showing their support for the Paris rally.

Members of rebellion hubs in Rasht, Lahijan and Langrud distribute posters in support of Grand Iranian Rally in Paris

Sari, north of Iran

One member of a local PMOI/MEK network team distributed leaflets containing a message to those participating in the Iranian opposition convention: “Dear compatriots, we PMOI/MEK supporters from northern Iran are certain Iran will be free with Maryam Rajavi and the PMOI/MEK network inside the country. Death to the mullahs’ principle – Hail to Rajavi.”

Member of rebellion hub in the northern city of Sari distributes Free Iran posters

Visit this website for more information about the upcoming Iranian opposition convention.

Iran will be free (2018)

The spring of our freedom is within our reach

Free Iran convention in Paris, June 30, 2018

Through our solidarity, we can have a free country and a prosperous people.

We can have equal rights, with different beliefs and ethnicities living side by side.

We can have a society where religion and state are separate and where compulsory veiling for women is not acceptable.

We shall realize our dreams and ideals.

Iranian Opposition Convention For Free Iran

Free Iran Gathering, A window into the future of Iran

ranian opposition gathering in Paris, June 30, 2018

Every year, the Iranian opposition holds a massive rally in Paris to discuss the most important topics and events occurring in Iran. This year, the focus will be on the nationwide protests in Iran and support for the Iranian people’s desire for regime change and the establishment of a democratic state.

Free Iran Gathering: A window into the future of Iran

Iranian opposition convention for free Iran, Paris

Free Iran, the Iranian resistance’s annual convention, plays an important role in achieving the goals of the Iranian opposition.

First and foremost, the rally symbolizes the legitimacy and capacity of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the largest and most-organized Iranian opposition coalition. The gathering defies severe political and logistical constraints and the schemes and machinations of the Iranian regime. Any impartial observer can confirm that an independent opposition movement that can hold such a large gathering of Iranian diaspora will be able to gather a very large base of support once it returns to its own country.

Every year, the Free Iran Gathering explores a wide range of issues that the Iranian opposition faces.

After the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the establishment of an Iran-backed government in Baghdad, Tehran’s main goal was to annihilate members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) who were in Camps Ashraf and Liberty, Iraq. The Iranian regime staged several raids and rocket attacks against MEK members in Iraq through its agents and proxies in Iraq.

During these years, the main focus of the Iran Freedom Gathering was the protection and security of MEK members in Ashraf and Liberty.

The presence and participation of prominent political figures in the rally and their subsequent activities prevented the Iranian regime and its agents in Iraq from secretly plotting against the residents of Ashraf and Liberty.

These efforts culminated in the resettlement of MEK members from Iraq to Albania.

Other important feats that the Free Iran Gathering and the international support for the MEK helped accomplish was the delisting of the MEK from the list of foreign terrorist organizations in EU and US, a designation that had been part of the policy of rapprochement toward the Iranian regime.

The Iran Gathering also discusses the Iranian regime’s suppressive measures against the people, imprisonment and execution of political dissidents, plundering of the country’s wealth and its violent intervention in countries of the Middle East region.

An important part of the rally has always been support for the protests of the Iranian people. In 2009, the Free Iran Gathering coincided with nationwide protests in Iran, and it became the biggest opposition rally in support of the uprising of the Iranian people.

After the December 2017/January 2018 protests in Iran, the world witnessed that that the Iranian people want nothing short of regime change.

Therefore, this year’s gathering will be held with a focus on supporting the heroic uprising of the Iranian people and their just demand for freedom.

Following the series of setbacks the Iranian regime has faced in Iran and across the globe, this year’s Free Iran Gathering will be a reminder of the true alternative to the autocratic rule of the mullahs.

Under these circumstances, democratic change in Iran has become inevitable, and this year’s rally will be representative of the Iranian people’s will for the overthrow of the mullahs’ regime and their desire to live in a free and democratic nation based on the separation of church and state.

Everyone can add their voice to this gathering and support the cause of freedom and democracy in Iran.

Go to this website for more information on this year’s convention.

The political difference of this year’s Free Iran convention

Iranian opposition rally in Paris, June 30, 2018 (file photo)

 Developments involving Iran have accelerated at an amazing rate. Even those supporting the Iranian regime now agree the situation on the ground in Iran is heading towards a major finale.

Domestically speaking, during the past weeks we have witnessed major protests – some describing it as an uprising – by the people of Kazerun, a city in southern Iran. Furthermore, tens of thousands of truck drivers across the country were holding a nationwide strike.

Internationally, the consequences of the United States pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal are impacting the Iranian regime to the core. The 12-article statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hurled this crisis into an even more dangerous and complex state for Tehran. Moreover, new sanctions are being imposed on the mullahs’ economy and causing grave concerns for their senior officials.

In such circumstances, the Iranian opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and its core member, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), is focusing their efforts to increase and continue popular protests across the country.

In parallel fashion, the Iranian Diaspora, widely supporting the NCRI & the PMOI/MEK, are on the verge of holding their annual convention in Paris, this year scheduled for June 30^th.

The message of this year’s rally to Iranians inside the country and across the globe, and all parties following up on the situation in Iran, will be the undeniable reality that this regime will be overthrown; there is a viable alternative for this regime; and the Iranian people are ready to take hold of their future.

This rally, enjoying widespread international support, will reflect the beginning of a major popular revolt in this society and the end of this regime. These developments will result in regime change and the establishment of a democratic and popular system in Iran. The NCRI & PMOI/MEK, known as the pillars of the struggle to realize democratic change in Iran, have been pursuing this objective for decades now.

NCRI President Maryam Rajavi delivered this message in the 2017 rally:

“First, the overthrow of the ruling religious dictatorship is an imperative.

“Second, the regime’s overthrow is within reach.

“And third, a democratic alternative and an organized resistance exists, which is capable of toppling the theocracy in Iran.”

With their nationwide protests the Iranian people are telling the world the mullahs’ regime has neither any hope nor any future, and will be toppled. The NCRI democratic alternative will replace this regime and realize peace, tranquility and democracy in Iran after 40 years of utter crises.

This convention specifically sends a message to the Iranian people, the PMOI/MEK network inside the country, the striking workers in Isfahan, Ahvaz and other cities across the country, the credit firm clients, the youths in Zahedan, Iran’s Kurdish community and others, that this nation and their uprising enjoys vast support.

The future of Iran is in the hands of those people protesting in the streets, calling for change and establishing democracy in this country.

Visit this website for more information about this year's annual convention.

What do you know about the Free Iran Gathering?

International dignitaries taking part in Paris rally

Iranian Gathering in Paris

June 30, 2018 - Every year, more than 100,000 people around the world gather in Paris for the Iranian opposition’s annual convention. The rally includes a keynote by NCRI President Maryam Rajavi as well as speeches by important political figures from the U.S., Europe and dozens of countries. Find out more about this very important event.

FREE IRAN’ CONFERENCE CONDEMNS TEHRAN’S HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

Grand gathering for a free Iran in the presence of Maryam Rajavi – Villepinte, Paris 2017

VocalEurope, July 17, 2017 - The annual “Free Iran” gathering of the Iranian Resistance, People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), commenced on July 1st attracting tens of thousands of participants from over five continents, including prominent political figures from the United States and Europe.  A wide range of topics were addressed and human rights were at the forefront.  Speakers used the opportunity to condemn Iran’s government for violating the rights of its people.

Iran is known for its appalling human rights record.  In addition to its relentless use of the death penalty, the regime continues to practice medieval punishments such as stoning, eye gouging, flogging and hand amputations.  President Hassan Rouhani ’s claims of improving human rights was false. Nearly 3,000 inmates were executed during his first term in office.  Days after his reelection reports indicate ten inmates were executed.

The regime has heightened its suppression on society in recent months and years, thus proving moderation is a false notion in Iran’s governmental structure.

During the conference, Theresa Villiers, MP of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, mentioned that 700 people were executed in just a span of six months in 2015, “equivalent to around three every single day of the year.”  She also mentioned the persecution of religious minorities, such as Christians and Baha’is, who are discriminated against simply because of their faith.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani compared the regime’s current human rights record to that of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ’s term and concluded it has deteriorated.

“When I hear the word moderate and I hear the name Rouhani, I think of the fact that he has actually killed more people in Iran than Ahmadinejad,” he said.

Giuliani added Rouhani attempts to depict himself as a moderate to the international community, meanwhile “to the Iranian people, he is a violent and vicious murderer.”
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich also spoke of the regime’s oppressive nature and its constant threatening of dissidents.  He discussed the massacre of political prisoners in 1988 and highlighted that Iran’s current justice minister, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, played a critical role in the killings.

“A dictatorship that appoints as its justice minister someone who killed 30,000 people is telling you everything you need to know about the core nature of the dictatorship,” he explained. Pourmohammadi is a notorious member of the Death Commission tasked to supervise the 1988 purge.

Maryam Rajavi , President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran ( NCRI ), reiterated that Iran’s Supreme Leader and all regime officials need to be brought to justice for their crimes against the Iranian people, especially the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners.  During the event Rajavi also paid tribute to those fallen for freedom.

A delegation from Italy led by former foreign minister Giulio Terzi spoke of an appeal they sent to their government calling for a stricter Iran policy.

“The Italian government must strongly condemn the 1988 massacre and inch any relations with Iran on stopping all executions,” Terzi read from the statement. “The Italian government must call on the United Nations to place on their agenda launching probes into this massive crime of 1988, and to send the perpetrators to justice.”

Iran’s human rights abuses continue till this very day. Reports indicate 57 inmates have been sent to the gallows so far in the month of July alone.  The regime is planning to execute another 120 prisoners in upcoming weeks.  A recent video posted on social media shows a masked agent of the regime flogging a young man in Malayer (Hamedan Province).

During the past month, the regime has also arrested a number of Christians including a well-known pastor, Yousef Naderkhani.  Naderkhani has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.  It is noteworthy to mention that Naderkhani had been previously arrested and even issued the death penalty by Iran’s judiciary for apostasy.

In addition to condemning such abuses in Iran, politicians partaking in this gathering expressed their support for the Iranian Resistance as an alternative to the ruling theocratic regime. The speakers and participants of the rally also voiced their support for Rajavi’s ten-point-plan for the future Iran, abolishing  the death penalty, respecting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all international covenants.