Protesters Stage Mock Executions in Paris to Protest Iran’s Rouhani

The Iranian regime’s growing disdain for human rights were the subject of large protests in Paris this week that coincided with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s arrival there. Thousands took to Place Denfert-Rochereau, carrying out mock executions and shouting, “Down with Rouhani,” voicing opposition to his visit and calling for him to be held accountable for the mass executions that have taken place under his leadership. Iran executes more individuals per capita than any other country in the world, Breitbart.com reported.
A sign hanging off a bridge near the protests had “Welcome Rouhani, Executions of Freedom” written across it in blood red paint, a view of the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Over 2,000 people have been executed over the course of Rouhani’s two years as president so far.
Rouhani’s trip to France last week was the first such visit by an Iranian leader since 1999. His visit was part of a European tour meant to usher in a new era of cooperation between the Iranian government and EU following the lifting of sanctions as a consequence of implementation of the now-historic nuclear deal.
A report that the United States released on “The Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran” reveals that Iranians are worse off under the so called “moderate” President Hassan Rouhani than his more conservative predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
At one point, protesters took black and white paper images of Rouhani with an “X” over his face and tore them up. Hardliners in Iran continue to chant “Death to America” during Friday prayers and at political rallies. On Thursday, however, calls of “Death to Rouhani” were uttered by the masses.
The protest was in large part organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which is comprised of five groups and includes the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
President-elect of the NCRI Maryam Rajavi sent a message to the rally prior to the event, although she was not physically present to speak at the event. According to the International Business Times, Rajavi said:
Rolling out the red carpet for Rouhani by European governments is to welcome the godfather of terrorism and fundamentalism, to legitimize the regime and its most repressive factions. It is also to the detriment of human rights in Iran. Welcoming Rouhani will only embolden this regime in the torture and execution of the Iranian people, further warmongering in the region, especially in Syria, and export of Islamic extremism and terrorism.
Former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghozali, former Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Maria Terzi, and Gilbert Mitterrand, president of France Libertés Foundation and son of the late French President Francois Mitterrand, were also present for the protests.
Scottish politician Struan Stevenson also spoke at the event, saying that “Rouhani is not a moderate. He is a murderer. Rouhani is in charge of a government which is venally corrupt.”