Several important features describe this year’s Free Iran Convention on June 30 in Paris, including the existence of a Democratic Alternative to the mullahs rule, that play a critical role in achieving the Iranian opposition goals and realization of the Iranian people’s aspirations for a free and democratic Iran.
First and foremost, the gathering symbolizes the legitimacy and capacity of the largest and most-organized Iranian opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
The gathering defies severe political and logistical constraints as well as the schemes and machinations of the Iranian regime.
Any impartial observer would agree that an independent opposition movement that, despite all odds, holds such a large gathering outside the country has a much larger base of support inside the country and is able to gather a very larger crowd once it returns to its own country.
Every year, the Free Iran Gathering explores a wide range of issues that the Iranian opposition faces.
After the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the establishment of an Iran-backed government in Baghdad, Tehran’s main goal was to annihilate members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) who were in Camps Ashraf and Liberty, in Iraq. The Iranian regime staged several raids and missile attacks against the MEK members in Iraq through its agents and proxies in Iraq.
During these years, the main focus of the Iran Freedom Gathering was the protection and security of MEK members in Ashraf and Liberty.
The presence and participation of prominent political figures in the rally and their subsequent efforts prevented the Iranian regime and its agents in Iraq from secret plots against the residents of Ashraf and Liberty.
These efforts culminated in the resettlement of MEK members from Iraq to Albania.
Another important feat that the Free Iran Gathering and the international support for the MEK helped accomplish was the removal of the MEK from the list of foreign terrorist organizations in EU and US, an unjust designation that had been part of the policy of rapprochement toward the Iranian regime.
The Free Iran Gathering also discusses the Iranian regime’s suppressive measures against the people, including imprisonment and execution of political dissidents, daily executions and other human rights violations as well as the plundering of the country’s wealth and the regime’s violent intervention in countries of the Middle East region.
An important part of the rally has always been support for the protests of the Iranian people. In 2009, the Free Iran Gathering coincided with nationwide protests in Iran, and it became the biggest opposition rally in support of the uprising of the Iranian people.
After the December 2017 – January 2018 protests in Iran, the Iranian people showed resolve for democratic change and the world witnessed that they want nothing short of regime change in Iran.
This year’s gathering will focus on supporting the heroic uprising of the Iranian people and their just demand for freedom and democracy in Iran.
Following a series of setbacks that the Iranian regime faced in Iran and across the globe, this year’s Free Iran Gathering will be a reminder of the true democratic alternative to the autocratic rule of the mullahs.
As the Iranian opposition leader, Maryam Rajavi, emphasized regarding Iran’s explosive society, “The light of change is shining on Iran. The ruling regime is in disarray and paralyzed as never before. Iranian society is simmering with discontent and the international community is finally getting closer to the reality that appeasing the ruling theocracy is misguided.”
“These intense circumstances speak to three fundamental truths related to obtaining freedom and liberty in Iran, as well as peace and tranquility in the region,” Mrs. Rajavi said adding:
“First, the overthrow of the ruling religious dictatorship is an imperative.”
“Second, the regime’s overthrow is within reach.”
“Third, a democratic alternative and an organized resistance exists capable of toppling the theocracy in Iran.”
Under these circumstances, democratic change in Iran has become inevitable, and this year’s rally will be representative of the Iranian people’s will for the overthrow of the mullahs’ regime and their desire to live in a free and democratic country based on the separation of religion and state.
Everyone can add their voice to this gathering and support the cause of freedom and democracy in Iran.
For more information on this year’s convention visit this website.