On June 29, 2024, the World Summit for a Free Iran was held in Paris, presenting the necessary policies for dealing with the clerical regime, with the presence of dozens of political and cultural figures from various countries around the world. Simultaneously with this conference, the annual gathering of the Iranian Resistance was held in Berlin, attended by tens of thousands of Iranians supporting the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
The annual gathering of the Iranian Resistance took place under circumstances where the decisive developments in Iran are moving towards a resolution between the two main poles.
The common theme in the speeches of all attendees at the Paris conference was the emphasis on these two important principles: the June 28 election in Iran showed that the government lacks legitimacy and change in Iran is possible and within reach through a persistent and organized resistance.
“The urgency of freeing Iran from dictatorship,” “Praising the dignity of the Iranian people for not surrendering to religious fascism,” “The decisive defeat of the clerical regime in the July 8 show,” “The defeat of the regime’s misogyny,” “The failure of appeasement with the clerics,” “The legitimacy of the Iranian Resistance in its decades-long struggle against two dictatorships,” “The disgrace of demonizing the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) by political guards abroad,” “Criticism and the availability of an alternative to the clerical regime,” and “The legitimate right of the struggles of the resistance units” were the common themes in the speeches of participants at the Free Iran 2024 World Summit in Paris.
It is worth noting to the above points; together they indicate the direction of resolving the developments in Iran, highlighting two political poles: one being the clerical regime and its allies, and the other being the Iranian Resistance and its domestic and international spectrum with the slogan “Neither Shah nor mullahs.”
What shone at the Berlin gathering was the emergence of a different face of Iran. The roar of the younger generation against all forms of dictatorship in Iran was a wave that swept through the Berlin gathering. The young generations, aware and proficient in various political aspects between uprisings and resistance on one side, and the clerical and monarchical dictatorships on the other, formed the captivating and proud aspect of the Berlin gathering.
Truly, what was created and happened at the Paris conference and the Berlin gathering requires the capacity of a book to describe the meanings and contents created in them.
Following are excerpts from the speeches at the Free Iran 2024 World Summit:
Former US Vice President Mike Pence said, “When people ask why I chose to be here, `the answer is simple. I want the world to know that because of all of you, the winds of change are blowing in Iran stronger than ever before…And we gather here just one day after elections were held in Iran, presumably to choose a new president…The regime will not go quietly into the night of its own accord. That’s why only a tested, organized, and proven resistance can bring about lasting change. A movement that can inspire the people to take action and has a history of standing up to the regime. A movement that is willing to sacrifice and pay the price needed for freedom. The good news is that such a movement exists. That movement is the National Council of Resistance of Iran.”
Former French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Interior Michèle Alliot-Marie said, “We must acknowledge that the situation in Iran is deteriorating… This year, executions in Iran increased by 48%, a reminder of the regime’s brutal intolerance for dissent… Maryam Rajavi, have outlined with your Ten-Point Plan, embodying values essential for peace and prosperity. This hope exists and is recognized internationally, with more official voices denouncing Iran’s actions. While Iranians alone will shape their destiny, it is vital they know we stand with them, supporting their rightful struggle for a free, democratic, secular, equal, prosperous, and peaceful Iran.”
US Congressman Raul Ruiz said, “As a member of Congress, I am a proud supporter of House Resolution 100 which gives the sentiment of the United States Congress and the people of America in support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic and nonnuclear Republic of Iran and condemns the violations of human rights.
“This resolution recognizes the four decades that Iranians have fought for democracy, led by women who have endured the massacre of 1988, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and death. It speaks to the Iranian people’s rejection of a monarchic dictatorship and religious tyranny. And it acknowledges this very gathering from 2018, where advocates met to show support for the opposition leader Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for the future of Iran, which calls for the universal right to vote and free elections.”
Former Minister and Member of the UK House of Commons David Jones said, “I’m delighted to announce today that the new initiative in Iran, the Declaration for a Free Iran 2024, has attracted the support of more than 4000 parliamentarians from 50 countries and 84 parliaments from around the world. And that includes the majority support of 34 of those parliaments, including the British House of Commons and the House of Lords.”
Belgian MEP Kathleen Depoorter said, “I strongly reject Europeans’ policy of appeasement, and it has been said that they keep on doing it. They keep on supporting the regime’s hostage-taking policy, and I have to mention my country Belgium, which made a terrible mistake in releasing Assadi last year.
“And also the recent release of Hamid Noury by Sweden, a criminal who killed thousands of Iranian political prisoners.
“The release of Assadi was a big mistake, but we did something right in Belgium. As did our colleagues, we signed this joint statement, a joint statement that has also been signed by our presidents of the parties. And with this statement, we want to express our support to Mrs. Rajavi and her 10-point plan. We also want to express our support for these many brave Resistance Units in Iran who are fighting against this repressive apparatus of the IRGC, and we reject the absurd actions of the regime against 104 members of the Iranian opposition who are now political refugees in Europe.”
Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “We join with the people of Iran who are once again this year rejecting the regime by refusing to vote in huge numbers in its sham elections.
“This massive boycott is a deliberate and collective act of civil disobedience. In doing so, Iranians are signaling their rejection of the regime’s legitimacy and they are calling for its overthrow.
“The Ayatollahs’ regime may repress people as severely as it can, but the people are not fooled. They are not fooled by the façade of its elections or the reality of its extremist anti-democratic ideology…
“Thank goodness the people of Iran understand this because it is clear that many in the international community, especially in the West, do not… These people like to pretend that Iran has little or nothing to do with this war, when it is, in fact, central to almost all the violence in the Middle East…The government of Iran is a global cancer and the only cure is regime change by the Iranian people themselves in free and open elections, and in those elections, this organization, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, will be ready to put forth a fully viable alternative. It is one with a long-standing organization and deep social roots. It has an active network inside and outside of Iran and capable leadership. Its plans are based on clear principles, things that it has advocated tirelessly for many years: a commitment to free elections, the rejection of the present and past forms of dictatorship, freedom of assembly and expression, pluralism and the rule of law, human rights and gender equality, the separation of religion and state, the acceptance of Iran’s religious and ethnic diversity, and most importantly for the international community, a non-nuclear state at peace with the world.”