Maryam Rajavi Addresses a Joint Conference featuring Some Members of Both Chambers of the Italian Parliament

Declaration by the Majority of Members of Both Chambers of the Italian Parliament Offers a Sound and Principled Policy against the Clerical Regime

On July 12, 2023, the NCRI President-elect, Maryam Rajavi, attended a conference at the Regina  Hall of the Italian Parliament upon the invitation of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee for Free Iran. The Regina Hall holds historical significance as it was where the first law in support of women’s rights was adopted in Italy.

During the conference, which featured members from both houses of the parliament, declarations from the majority of members in the Senate and Parliament of Italy were presented to Maryam Rajavi. These declarations expressed support for the Iranian people’s uprising, rejected the dictatorships of the Shah and the mullahs, and endorsed the Ten-Point Plan.

Maryam Rajavi expressed her appreciation for the support of the majority of members in both chambers and stated, “This declaration goes beyond mere words. It signifies that the majority of Italian lawmakers have put forth the appropriate policy to tackle the crisis perpetuated by the Iranian regime over the past 44 years, affecting both the region and the world.”

Mr. Emanuele Pozzolo, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Parliament, presided over the conference. Several members from both chambers, including Senator Lucio Malan, the leader of the Senate Majority, and Senator Gisella Naturale, had the opportunity to address the conference. The conference was further graced by the presence and speeches of the Rt. Hon. John Bercow, the former Speaker of the UK House of Commons (2009-2019), and Senator Carlo Cottarelli, a distinguished Italian figure who briefly served as Italy’s Prime Minister.

Mrs. Maria Lina Vittorini, representing the Women’s Equality Commission from the Marche Province, delivered a speech at the conference. Accompanied by a delegation from the Women’s Equality Commissions, Mrs. Vittorini conveyed a message, stating, “On behalf of 12 other provinces, we extend our warm regards to Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance. We stand in solidarity with Iranian women who courageously fight against the oppressive regime.”

Maryam Rajavi told the conference:

Honorable Senators and Representatives,
On behalf of the Iranian protesters striving for freedom and democracy, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the esteemed members of both chambers of the Italian Parliament and extend my heartfelt greetings to the great nation of Italy.

First and foremost, allow me to express my gratitude for the declarations of the majority of members in the Italian Chamber of Representatives and the Senate who have voiced support for the Iranian people’s uprising for a democratic republic and embraced the Ten-Point Plan of the Iranian Resistance. It is noteworthy that this declaration enjoys the backing of 3,600 lawmakers, including a significant majority from the French National Assembly, both chambers of the British Parliament, the majority members of the US House of Representatives, 120 former presidents and prime ministers, and 70 Nobel laureates.
This declaration goes beyond mere words. It signifies that the majority of Italian lawmakers have put forth the appropriate policy to tackle the crisis perpetuated by the Iranian regime over the past 44 years, affecting both the region and the world.

Today, I stand before you to urge the Parliament, the people, and the government of Italy to adopt this rightful and principled policy, which recognizes the Iranian people’s struggle to overthrow the religious dictatorship.
The Iranian people’s uprising represents the enduring legacy of the Resistance movement, which began over four decades ago in opposition to the regime. The active participation of women in this uprising is a product of the heroic struggle of Iranian women throughout the past 40 years.

We believe that Iranian woman must choose freely and enjoy active and equal participation in the leadership of society. Iranian women have risen up not only for their own demands but also for the overthrow of the clerical regime in its entirety. Their motto is “No to compulsory veil, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory government.”

Our people have never acquiesced to the rule of the clerical regime, whose atrocities exceed even the brutality and oppression witnessed in Europe during the Middle Ages.
The fight against the mullahs has exacted a heavy toll, with more than 120,000 members of our Resistance sacrificing their lives. we will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the clerical regime’s heinous massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988— a tragic event carried out on the order and a fatwa by Khomeini.

Pressuring and Restricting the Iranian Resistance, West’s Most Significant Support for the Regime

The regime of the mullahs has proven unable, and will continue to be unable, to quell the ongoing waves of uprisings. This is primarily due to two key factors. First, the regime’s incapacity to implement any meaningful reforms, as economic and social mismanagement persist on an immense scale, exacerbating the volatile social situation with each passing day.

Second, there exists an organized resistance movement that harnesses the widespread public discontent, with the aim of toppling the regime. The Iranian Resistance has successfully established its networks across all 31 provinces and numerous cities in Iran. Without exception, the dedicated Resistance Units operate diligently, day after day, playing a decisive role in organizing and leading the uprisings.

The regime has resorted to two strategies in response to this situation. First, it has intensified its execution campaign. Secondly, it has engaged in negotiations with Western governments pressing them to impose restrictions on the activities of the Iranian Resistance. Regime officials openly admit in media interviews that during their meetings they consistently request other governments to exert pressure on the Resistance movement.

In recent months, those who benefit from maintaining the status quo have made concerted efforts to deny the existence of a genuine alternative, namely the Iranian Resistance. As part of their endeavors, they have resorted to prop up so-called alternatives, all of which have ultimately failed.
One of the most significant forms of support and concession Western governments have provided to the Iranian regime over the past four decades has been exerting pressure and imposing restrictions on the Iranian Resistance.

This element lies at the core of the appeasement policy and has contributed most to prolonging the rule of the mullahs, perpetuating their crimes within Iran, and enabling their activities such as hostage-taking, sponsoring terrorism, and engaging in warmongering abroad. These actions starkly contradict the policy proposed by the declaration of the majority of members in both chambers of the Italian parliament.

Today, it is evident that the regime is acutely aware of the looming threat of being overthrown. In response, it has intensified its use of various tactics, surpassing previous levels, to impede the legitimate and legal activities of the Iranian Resistance, even within Europe. These tactics include hostage-taking, fabricating cases, issuing threats, and resorting to blackmail. Significant instances of such actions include the attempted ban on the Iranians’ rally in Paris, ultimately overturned by the court.

Any action, under any pretext, to deprive members of the Iranian Resistance of their fundamental rights constitutes a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the 1951 Refugee Convention.
To the regime, we reply, the more it conspires against us, the more fervently we will stoke the flames of Resistance.

Respect the Iranian People’s Aspirations

Those who advocate appeasing the regime often argue that, like Libya and Syria, the overthrow of the Iranian regime would result in war and chaos. However, the situation in Iran is fundamentally different. The Iranian people have been engaged in an enduring struggle for democracy, justice, and the rule of law for the past 120 years.

This relentless struggle has yielded significant achievements, such as the success of the Constitutional Revolution, the nationalization of the Oil Industry led by Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq, and the downfall of a monarchical dictatorship.
Another significant outcome of the Iranian people’s enduring struggle has been the emergence of a democratic alternative that is deeply ingrained within Iranian society. This alternative has accumulated nearly six decades of experience, gained through relentless efforts in challenging circumstances.

Through its expansion of a nationwide network, the Resistance has recruited thousands of dedicated freedom fighters in various cities. Through their daily activities, these freedom fighters defiantly shatter the wall of repression, ensuring that the flames of uprisings and resistance continue to burn brightly.

Furthermore, the Iranian Resistance offers a credible platform and comprehensive plans for the future. Its Ten-Point Plan encompasses a vision of a democratic republic, founded on the principles of the separation of religion and state, gender equality, autonomy for various nationalities, the abolition of the death penalty, and a non-nuclear Iran.

The Resistance movement, placing its trust in the Iranian people, has the potential to bring about transformative change in Iran. It is important to note that we have never sought foreign governments to overthrow the regime, as we firmly believe that such responsibility rests with the Iranian people and their determined Resistance.
Our demand is straightforward: to respect the Iranian people’s aspirations and stop helping their enemy.

Dear friends,

Our people hold Italy in high regard due to the longstanding support extended by the Italian Chamber of Representatives and the Senate to the Iranian Resistance, particularly their unwavering support for the PMOI in Ashraf during their blockade in Iraq by the regime and its puppet government.

Our people also remember Italy for the selfless act of Ema Delforno, an Italian woman who set herself on fire in Treviso in December 1981 to protest the execution of Iranian teenagers. Her courageous act served as a wake-up call for global conscience.
Today, the people of Iran expect Italy to recognize their struggle to overthrow the regime, support the right to self-defense for young Iranians in their fight against the terrorist IRGC, and designate it as a terrorist organization.

Thank you all very much.