Speech to the Conference at the European Parliament

Maryam Rajavi: The emergence and role of combatant Iranian women in the Resistance is the essential condition for freedom

Madam President,

The honorable representatives,

Dear friends,

I salute you all. I would like to express my gratitude to Ms. Maxova for arranging this conference on the situation and role of women in Iran in the present crucial circumstances.

First, allow me to read the message of resistant female prisoners and protesters in Iran.

Their message is, “We, the women imprisoned in Evin, declare with firm belief and without any fear: Khamenei, we will overthrow you.”

Rebellious women across Iran challenge the regime and say, “We are your nightmare.

Know that you will be overthrown.”

Women’s movement at the heart of Iranian Resistance

Dear friends,

Unfortunately, many around the world have known Iran through its association with fundamentalism, warmongering, terrorism, and the crimes committed by the ruling mullahs.

However, another force is building the future of Iran. That force is the Iranian people‘s Resistance at the heart of which are the struggles and sacrifices of Iranian women.

Many reports have been published on the difficult circumstances of Iranian women, including stoning, violent discrimination, oppressive laws, little economic participation, mandatory Hijab, forced marriages of girl children, and many other forms of oppression.

The mullahs have established a horrible model of misogyny, which they have exported to other Muslim countries that is like their export of war and terrorism. The more significant reality is the resistance of Iranian women who protest against such a regime.

The Iranian women’s resistance stands as a remarkable example in modern history. Over the past 45 years, tens of thousands of Iranian women have been tortured or executed for their people’s freedom. Women’s presence at the forefront of the uprisings, as the world witnessed in 2022, has such a history.

With this background, Iran’s leading women have been able to undertake the leadership of an organized resistance inside Iran and abroad that rejects any form of dictatorship be it the Shah or the mullahs.

This development shows a deep cultural and social change in the heart of Iranian society, which certainly has a profound effect on the future of Iran and Muslim societies.

Women’s leadership represents a new strategy for changing relationships in modern societies against corruption, poverty, and destruction of environment and for activating social capacities to move forward.
The emergence of women and their leadership in the resistance is an essential condition for the liberation of all Iranians from the rule of tyranny and fundamentalism, a society where women have equal rights and freedom, religious compulsion cannot be imposed.
We believe that pioneering women will finally defeat the religious dictatorship ruling Iran.
Their active and equal participation in political leadership is essential for democracy.

The solution for warmongering and fundamentalism

Honorable representatives,

With the expansion of the catastrophic war in the Middle East, it is evident that the root of war and terrorism is in Tehran.

Over the past six months, Ali Khamenei, the regime’s leader, has repeatedly praised the terrorist groups in the region who are under his command, for continuing this conflict.

By fueling war and promoting violence, he seeks a way out of the crisis that has been created by the Iranian people’s uprisings.

The explosive discontent within society is the primary threat to the regime. Because of this discontent, the recent elections became a significant scandal for Khamenei. It was the lowest turnout in the history of the mullahs’ rule.

According to official figures, candidates who entered the parliament in Tehran received votes from a maximum of 7 percent of eligible voters. However, the actual turnout is likely even lower.

For years, Western governments tried to contain the regime by offering concessions. However, the mullahs not only accepted these concessions but also used them to expand their nuclear and missile programs and fuel conflicts across the Middle East.

So the question is what is a realistic solution?

The solution is to recognize the Iranian people’s struggle for the regime’s overthrow.

At the heart of this resistance, the Iranian women are serving as the force for change.

This year, on International Women’s Day, 400 political personalities and women’s rights defenders, including numerous legislators from around the world, in a statement said: It is our duty to stand in solidarity with the courageous women of Iran and their demand for regime change, and the establishment of democracy, gender equality, and justice.

This statement is the model of a correct policy.

Supporting the Iranian people’s resistance, and the central role of Iranian women protesters, is the core of a real solution.

Our platform for the future of Iran advocates for a democratic republic based on the separation of religion and state, gender equality, the abolition of the death penalty, the autonomy of nationalities, and a non-nuclear Iran.

In 1987, the National Council of Resistance (NCRI) adopted a plan for women’s rights and freedoms in Iran, which –among others– guarantees the following rights for women:

• Ending all oppressive discriminations against women by the clerical regime.
• Commitment to all the rights and freedoms of women.
• Full equality of social, political, cultural, and economic rights of men and women.
• The right to elect and be elected in all elections.
• Freedom of dress and clothing.
• Holding any position, including the presidency, political leadership, and judgeship.

I thank you again for this occasion and I have no doubt that by ending the religious dictatorship ruling Iran, peace and security will return to the region and the world.

Thank you.