Maryam Rajavi: The regime’s atrocities will not deter our people in their quest for freedom

Speech at the conference, “Iran nationwide uprising, one year after”

Thursday, September 7, 2023, a conference entitled, “Iran nationwide uprising, one year after,” was held featuring Congressman Randy Weber, member of the US House of Representatives, Senator Gerry Horkan from Ireland, and Mr. Jim Higgins, former member of the Presidency of the European Parliament from Ireland

Maryam Rajavi opened the conference by welcoming the participating dignitaries and said:

The Iranian Resistance and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) have over half a century of experience in fighting for freedom against two dictatorships of the Shah and the clerical regime. Today, the prospects of overthrowing the regime and establishing a free and democratic republic in Iran shines brighter today than ever.

We are getting close to September 16, the start of the nationwide uprising in Iran.

The world witnessed the demands of the Iranian people: an end to this brutal regime and the establishment of a free and democratic republic, where the power ultimately will be in the hands of the people of Iran.

Despite the regime’s massive and brutal crackdown to silence any dissent, the Iranian people’s resolve for regime change remains unbroken.

The mullahs arrested over 30,000 individuals, and tragically, murdered more than 750 protesters, mainly young men, and women, in the streets. In recent weeks, the regime has intensified its suppression including a new wave of mass arrests.

Just last week, a protestor, Javad Rouhi, who had been severely tortured in prison over the past several months, lost his life in suspicious circumstances. The killing of the protesters under torture in detention or after they have been released, has become routine.

The Uprising Carries On

The regime resorts to these killings because it fears more uprisings and the prospects of its downfall.

Despite brutal suppression, the regime cannot eliminate the causes of the uprising because what sparked the nationwide uprising persists. Economic and social crises, along with crippling poverty, continue to worsen. The regime has no solution for an explosive society that seeks freedom.

In the face of the culture of resistance and perseverance of the Iranian people and Resistance, the regime tries to delay its downfall by intensifying suppression.

The Resistance network inside Iran continues to expand, with an increasing number of young women and men joining the ranks of the MEK network and Resistance Units.

The Democratic Alternative

For years, the regime deliberately avoided mentioning the MEK and NCRI in an attempt to sell its big lie that there is no viable alternative and that the democratic opposition had no support within the country.

But, the presence and activities of the Resistance Units and the Resistance’s network have reached such a level that the regime was forced to change its position on this matter. Today, the regime’s officials openly acknowledge their concern about the decisive role of the MEK Resistance Units in the uprising and their concern about the growing number of youths supporting our goals.

On July 12, 2023, regime’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, while summing up the uprising, said, “PMOI had the biggest role in organizing and carrying out these protests.”

In recent weeks, the state-controlled media have published many articles, TV and radio reports, as well as statements by regime officials—all aimed at countering the growing support for the PMOI within Iran.

Furthermore, the regime is increasingly alarmed by the international recognition of the NCRI as a democratic and viable alternative to the regime by western parliaments.

Therefore, the regime has intensified its demonization campaign against the NCRI and PMOI, also resorting to terrorism, hostage-taking, and other intimidating means to compel other countries to restrict the legitimate activities of the Iranian opposition.

The regime’s focus on PMOI members in Ashraf-3 demonstrates its fear of their impactful role.

But let it be clear, nothing can prevent the PMOI and the residents of Ashraf from pursuing their goal to liberate Iran.

The Imperative to Adopt A New Policy

For years, the policy of appeasement has contributed to the regime’s survival. A new policy is long overdue.

The Iranian people’s quest for freedom and democracy will continue until the overthrow of this brutal regime. The regime’s atrocities will not deter our people in their quest for freedom but will only make the Iranian people and Resistance even more determined to pay the price for a free and democratic Iran based on people’s vote.

I thank you for your continuing support in these trying times.