Translated from an article By Hoda Morshedi published in Iraq Le-Jamie (Iraq for all) website
July 25, 2018 – The Free Iran 2018 gathering, the largest rally of Iranian opposition supporters abroad, which was held in the Villepinte hall in Paris, France on June 30, held messages for friend and foe.
The unending sea of participants, which had filled the hall with an unwavering atmosphere of enthusiasm, was speaking on behalf of millions of enchained Iranians whose only desire is freedom from the tyranny of the extremist mullahs ruling their country.
In their slogans, their songs, and their smiles, the attendants exuded hope of a free Iran which inspires peaceful coexistence with other nations instead of terrorism and crime.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), who was the keynote speaker of the event, expressed the desires of the Iranian people and the Iranian opposition in the most articulate way. “I have come here on behalf of a Resistance movement which has offered its entire existence to ensure the victory of the Iran uprising, and for Iran’s freedom, pride, and magnificence,” she said in her speech.
Mrs. Rajavi also said, “We call for the establishment of a society, based on freedom, democracy, and equality, which has clear demarcations with despotism and dependence as well as gender, ethnic and class discrimination. We have defended and will defend gender equality, the right to freely choose one attire, separation of religion and state, autonomy of nationalities, equal political and social rights for all citizens of Iran, abolition of death penalty, freedom of expression, parties, the media, assembly, unions, associations, councils and syndicates.”
In this path, the first step is to transfer sovereignty to the people of Iran, Mrs. Rajavi stressed. “By relying on the Iranian people and a popular base one can avert chaos and insecurity and safeguard the integrity of Iran and Iranians, rendering it a proud nation,” she added.
Mrs. Rajavi ended her speech by calling for solidarity with rebellion units in Iran. “All Iranians, wherever they are, can help and advance the uprising. Also, you, the Iranian youth, who are present here, can do a lot. This is our commitment and our pledge to the Iranian nation to put everything in the service of the uprisings, give it all and sacrifice at all fronts to advance the uprising,” she said.
Mrs. Rajavi’s speech clearly shows the position of the Iranian opposition and its expansive political clout.
As the true alternative to the mullahs’ rule, the NCRI has the power to establish true democracy in Iran.
Mrs. Rajavi has led a resistance movement that has adopted a very brave and smart diplomacy focused not on group interests but on the interests of the Iranian people.
During more than five decades of its life, the Iranian resistance has foregone any form of serving self-interests of profits in struggling for freedom in Iran.
The guests at the event perfectly described the honesty of the Iranian opposition. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said, “You have an alternative. You've got an alternative that's built on a solid foundation of 12 principals, democracy human rights, a non-nuclear Iran, separation of church and state and the rights of women and of all minorities to be protected. My goodness, that sounds like a full-fledged democracy. That's what the NCRI stands for. That’s what Madam Rajavi stands for. And that's what your martyrs died for. The era of appeasement is over. Those who practice appeasement are going to find themselves shamed in world history.”
Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said, “Freedom will come. It has been paid for by the blood of patriots. It has been paid for by the sweat of patriots. It has been paid for by those willing to stand up to the dictatorship.”
Salman Ansari from Saudi Arabia said, “As a Saudi citizen, an Arab and a Muslim, I declare my solidarity with you. We stand with you no matter how hard the road is. We are clear in our conviction that Iran must be freed from the cult of liars and thieves.”
Riadh Yasin, the Yemeni ambassador to France and former Yemeni Foreign Minister, said, “We are fully convinced that the brave people of Iran, with the enduring leadership of Maryam Rajavi, will soon become victorious. You deserve the respect of all the Yemeni people.”
What the speeches had in common was that the Iranian opposition has entered a new era.
This is an era that will lead to great leaps toward toppling the fascist rulers of Iran. Coupled with the continuous uprisings of the Iranian people across the country, this era will achieve freedom for Iran and establish a government that is based on the popular vote of the people.
