On February 17, 2023, thousands of Iranians gathered in Munich, Germany, to stage a large demonstration coinciding with the Munich Security Conference. Organized by the supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), the rally expressed solidarity with ongoing protests in Iran and drew attention to the regime’s human rights violations, political repression, and state-sponsored terrorism.
The Munich rally also echoed the desire of the Iranian people to reject both the current regime and the former dictatorship of the Shah. The protesters emphasized that the Iranian people have suffered under both systems and called for a new democratic republic that respects the rights and freedoms of all Iranians.
Munich rally in support of #IranRevolution
No to the Shah, No to the Mullahs Onwards to a Democratic, Secular Republic in #Iran #No2ShahNo2Mullahs #مرگ_بر_ستمگر_چه_شاه_باشه_چه_رهبر https://t.co/oZrhYi7pj1
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 17, 2023
The demonstration featured speeches by prominent Iranian activists, political figures, and Western politicians and diplomats. The attendees also protested the invitation of the Shah’s son to the MSC. The protesters carried placards and banners that called for the terrorist-designation of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and the Iranian people’s slogan: “No to Shah and no to mullahs.”
The rally took place as Iran has seen five months of ongoing protests. During this period, the regime has killed more than 750 civilians, including dozens of children. It has also arrested tens of thousands of others and executed four people for taking part in protests.
“We see ourselves as part of this uprising. Its goals are freedom, democracy, separation of state and religion, and a democratic republic,” said Leo Dautzenberg, Chair of the German Solidarity Committee for a Free Iran (DSFI) and former Member of German Bundestag.
Dautzenberg said that protesters in Iran “are saying yes to republic, no to autocracy. They’re saying no to the mullahs’ rule and the Shah’s dictatorship.”
Dautzenberg emphasized that during the 1979 revolution, Khomeini promised not to seek power and leave it to the people to choose their leaders.
“But we know that he seized power when he came to Iran. Reza Pahlavi has also made similar moves. He claims not to want power, but he has already sworn an oath of being the King of Iran. And he has even declared his heir,” Dautzenberg said.
Dautzenberg also reminded that 1979. Pahlavi has never condemned the crimes of the SAVAK and the Shah’s regime.
“This is dangerous. This is why the participation of the Shah’s son at the Munich Security Conference is a dangerous decision and welcomed by the regime. It distracts discussions focused on unity and solidarity for freedom,” he said.
Dr. Karin Schnebel, Women’s Representative in the Munich City Hall, described Iran’s regime as “a system that is enforcing its rule on the people in the smallest details of their lives.”
“There is no rule of law and no sovereignty of the people. We are fighting for a secular regime. Only a secular state can bring these freedoms,” she said.
Schnebel said that the German government must do everything to defend human rights inside Iran.
“This means a clear foreign affairs policy that helps the human rights infrastructure inside Iran. Iranians wish to have a pluralistic republic where every citizen’s vote counts. A society where there is freedom of choice and religion,” she said.
“We have sometimes been told that there is no alternative to the mullahs in Iran,” said Marcin Święcicki, former Mayor of Warsaw and Minister of Foreign Economic Relations of Poland. “But we have one: the NCRI led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, with a ten-point plan that will bring democracy, rule of law, separation of state and religion, and a peaceful country.”
Święcicki said that if the West wants Iran to be democratic, it should support Maryam Rajavi.
“We should support those who are fighting for a democratic Iran, not those who want to restore the monarchy or keep the mullahs in power,” he said.
Mohammad Ali Tohidi, Chair of the NCRI Publication Committee, said that through their resistance and ongoing protests, the Iranian people have forced MSC organizers to avoid inviting regime figures such as former foreign minister Javad Zarif or the current FM, Hossein Amirabdollahian.
But the invitation of Reza Pahlavi is the continuation of the appeasement policy toward the regime, he stressed.
“This is a person that has not distanced himself from the crimes of the Shah or even the regime. He has been in touch with the IRGC and regime officials. He believes the Basij and IRGC are the main forces who will protect the people,” Tohidi said. “It is shameful. It is a disgrace. Instead of focusing on these disgraceful acts, we will rely on our own strength and steadfastness, and push forward for the victory of Iran’s revolution.”
Jean Pierre Brard, former Member of the French National Assembly, stressed that in the past century, the people of Iran have fought against the Shah and Khomeini dictatorships. They will not tolerate a deposed dictatorship being presented as an alternative to the mullahs’ rule.
“The people of Iran have not suffered so much to endure this alternative. The martyrs did not give up their lives to satisfy the greed of others,” he said. “The NCRI has a plan that is loyal to the current revolution in Iran, to overthrow the dictatorship, and establish a democratic Iran. We must stand with the people of Iran and our Iranian friends.”
Dr. Massoumeh Bolurchi, the Representative of the NCRI in Germany, said that Iran is on the verge of a fundamental change with the leadership of women, and this uprising is rooted in four decades of resistance by the bravest and selfless freedom fighters.
“The Iranian Resistance has for many years called for the terrorist designation of the IRGC,” Bolurchi said. “We repeat it today. The EU must proscribe the IRGC and shut down the regime’s espionage centers, being its embassies. The regime’s agents must be expelled from European soil.”
Hanif Mahoutchian, Legal Advisor of the JU-Hamburg, said, “Whatever the media try to promote fake alternatives, the true face of the Iranian revolution is different. The people of Iran are relaying their own message to the world.”
Mahoutchian said that while the people of Iran are chanting against the Basij and the IRGC, the son of the Shah is openly expressing support for dialog with the IRGC and the terrorist Quds Force.
“This fake alternative has nothing to do with the reality that is taking place inside Iran. The Shah’s son is an insult to the struggle of the Iranian people,” he said. “After 120 years of fighting dictators, the people will not allow the Shah to hijack their revolution.”
