Analysis by PMOI/MEK
July 15, 2021—The world is at a crossroads with respect to Iran. In its recent sham elections, the mullahs’ regime ruling Iran shed the last vestiges of the democracy façade it has been holding for the past four decades. Regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei facilitated the rise of Ebrahim Raisi, a notorious judge who has the blood of thousands of dissidents and innocents on his hands.
Raisi was one of the key members of the death commission, a group of officials who approved the execution of more than 30,000 political prisoners in 1988. As the judiciary chief since 2019, Raisi also oversaw the arrest, torture, murder, and execution of thousands of protesters. Raisi has been blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury for his human rights abuses. Amnesty International and United Nations human rights experts have also called for an investigation into Raisi’s role in the 1988 massacre.
Raisi’s presidency put a definite end to the oft-repeated fallacy that there is a moderate faction within the regime. The West is now faced with a regime whose political lineup represents what it truly is: a gang of corrupt murderers who owe to four decades of violence, repression, and terrorism.
The question that now sits before western states is, will they continue their relations with the Iranian regime as usual, or will they take a stand and defend the values and rights that their people cherish and hold the regime to account for its crimes and rights violations.
“The Iranian people deserve democracy freedom and human rights and should be firmly supported by the international community,” said Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša at the Free Iran 2021 World Summit on July 10. “The Iranian regime must be held accountable for human rights violations and the international community must be more firm on this.”
“For nearly 33 years the world had forgotten about the victims of the 1988 massacre. This should change,” Janša said. “A United Nations Commission inquiry is of crucial importance to shed light over the horrible 1988 massacre. This is especially important in light of the fact that the Iranian regime’s next president will be Ebrahim Raisi who is accused by Amnesty International of crimes against humanity for his role in the [1988] massacre.”
Janez Janša, Prime Minister of Slovenia #Iran's people deserve democracy freedom & human rights & should be firmly supported by the int'l community. The regime must be held accountable for human rights violations. #FreeIran2021https://t.co/as6lOrWZmR
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 10, 2021
Mr. Janša’s remarks were a break from the business-as-usual approach of other Western politicians, who are wont to turn a blind eye to the Iranian regime’s crimes for the sake of political and economic interests. Janša showed that when it comes to human values, there should be no compromise.
Naturally, Janša’s remarks struck a nerve. Tehran immediately responded by calling the Slovenian Prime Minister’s remarks unacceptable.
Janša’s remarks also drew remarks and reactions from Iran’s people, their organized resistance, and supporters of freedom and democracy. His brave stance was welcomed by many people inside and outside of Iran who have suffered from the Iranian regime’s malign activities.
“As you said today in Free Iran gathering, the United Nation must set up a commission for investigating about the 30 thousand political prisoners who were massacred in Iran. This is a desire of the Iranian people and the families of martyrs,” Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said.
.@JJansaSDS
Thank you for your support. As you said today in #FreeIran gathering, the United Nation must set up a commission for investigating about the 30 thousand political prisoners who were massacred in Iran. This is a desire of the Iranian people and the families of martyrs pic.twitter.com/o13zy7RyNh— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) July 10, 2021
I am proud to stand with Prime Minister Janša of Slovenia who quite correctly… called for an international inquiry into the conduct of Mr. Raisi," former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman said.
Former U.S. Senator @JoeLieberman on July 11th, the second day of the #FreeIran2021 summit
"I am proud to stand with Prime Minister @JJansaSDS of Slovenia who quite correctly yesterday called for an international inquiry into the conduct of Mr. Raisi."pic.twitter.com/gMC87F6A2E
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 15, 2021
"The way in which [Iran's] regime reacted to the Premier of Slovenia's brave comments at the beginning [of the Free Iran 2021 summit] is every indication that they are desperate," former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said, adding that the reaction of the regime to Mr. Jansa’s comments indicated a victory for the Iranian people.
Former NYC Mayor @RudyGiuliani:
"The way in which [#Iran's] regime reacted to the Premier of Slovenia's brave comments at the beginning [of the #FreeIran2021 summit] is every indication that they are desperate."pic.twitter.com/ZYTQbZLgg8
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 15, 2021
“I am pleased to recognize the moral leadership & courage of the Prime Minister of Slovenia. He called Raisi to account for the 1988 massacre of 30,000 MEK prisoners. He has angered the zealots and the mullahs. he should wear it as a badge of honor,” said former Canadian Prime Minister John Baird.
Former Canadian FM @Baird
"I am pleased to recognize the moral leadership & courage of Slovenia's PM @JJansaSDS. He called Raisi to account for #Iran's #1988massacre of 30,000 prisoners & angered the zealots/mullahs. he should wear it as a badge of honor."pic.twitter.com/J1NDbQfMYX— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 15, 2021
As other speakers at the three-day summit rightly pointed out, human rights should be a key element of any policy toward Iran, especially since Raisi has become the head of state. This, before everything, is a confirmation of the values that have become the cornerstone of the free world.
As Matteo Renzi, the Prime Minister of Italy from 2014 to 2016 said on the third day of the Free Iran World Summit, “Without a clear message of refusing the theocracy and dictatorship in Iran it will be impossible to write a page of freedom and our values of liberty.”
Furthermore, as many others pointed out, the elevation of Raisi to power is a clear sign of a weakened regime that is staying afloat on borrowed time. It is only a matter of time before the Iranian people and their resistance movement will overthrow the mullahs’ regime and establish a democratic state.
Today is the chance for politicians across the globe to show where they stand in respect to the struggle between the Iranian people and the despotic regime of the mullahs. With his brave remarks, Mr. Janša’s has proven that he stands on the right side of history. This is an example that other politicians should follow.
The people of Iran have a long memory and remember those who stood by their side—as well as those who turned their back on them.
Prime Minister @JJansaSDS , your decisiveness in defense of human rights must serve as example for world leaders. All Iranians salute you and are proud of your courage. Your name will forever be inscribed in the history of my nation.
#Iran #FreeIran2021— Mohammad Mohaddessin (@Mohaddessin) July 12, 2021
