By Jennifer Jones-Kelley Part-2

On Sunday, July 19, MEK supporters gathered online for the second day of the Free Iran conference. Day Two of the event focused on the regime’s efforts to eliminate the MEK. Speakers called for an independent investigation into the 1988 Massacre of 30,000 MEK political prisoners and asked that the perpetrators of the massacre be held accountable. They also discussed the ongoing campaign to demonize the MEK and National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) through disinformation and media manipulation. The following are highlights from Sunday’s speeches:

Ingrid Betancourt

Former Colombian Senator and Presidential Candidate

“The regime holds the Iranian population as hostages and uses the name of God to do evil. This is why Iranians inside Iran and abroad are protesting. At the same time, the regime tries to blame the MEK for its crimes. But after Friday’s rally, it is foolish to think anyone will fall for this propaganda.

Geoffry Robertson QC

Human Rights Lawyer and Author

“When we come out of the pandemic, there will be a greater view of human rights. The people will take down the statues of the ayatollahs and rewrite the history of Iran. I also think there is a movement in the human rights world that identifies human rights villains. Name them and shame them, and prevent them from entering their countries.”

Giulio Terzi

Former Italian Foreign Minister

“The regime’s embassies, which are launching pads for terrorist attacks, must be closed. The perpetrators of the 1988 Massacre must be held to account. One of them is the head of the judiciary and another is a justice minister. The time for impunity is over.”

Steve McCabe

British Member of Parliament

“We know who the oppressor is and what must change. You can’t lock up everyone and murder everyone. Freedom survives and the tide is changing.”

Alejo Vidal-Quadras

Former Vice President of the European Parliament, President of the International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ)

“We must not forget that even though this regime is cruel and brutal, it lies about many things, including its strength. It is weaker than it shows and right now it is at its weakest. The international community must not fear the regime and should pursue justice.

Tahar Boumedra

The former head of the U.N. Advisory Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Human Rights Office

“In 2018, the former human rights commissioner Zeid Hussein said the U.N. has informed the regime to investigate the crime. Two years later, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran is asking the same thing. We know the mullahs’ regime will not investigate. It is naïve to believe the mullahs would investigate themselves.”

Lincoln Bloomfield

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Military Affairs

“Is there any other resistance group advocating universal values in Iran? Is there any other resistance group capable of organizing a virtual event with thousands of participants from around the world? The regime sees these events and knows that the NCRI and MEK are fully capable, more than anyone else, of organizing a peaceful transition of power after the mullahs’ fall.”

Lars Rise

Former Norwegian Member of Parliament

“After the 1988 Massacre, they started telling the people they could not use the name of the organization or risk losing their lives. Then they tried to say the PMOI is not popular. They tried to repeat the lie again and again until it was believed. Unfortunately, our governments believe the propaganda and lies of the mullahs’ Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) to keep trade ties with the regime.”

Taisir al-Tamimi

Former Palestinian Chief Justice

“We are at the painful anniversary of the 1988 Massacre. The people who were killed included more than 700 prisoners under the age of 18 and 62 pregnant women.”

Ken Blackwell

Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Commission

“We must expose this regime and their reign of terror with what we can. We must demand that the world court tries these criminals for their crimes against humanity.”

Baroness Betty Boothroyd

Former U.K. Speaker of the House of Commons

“Maryam Rajavi and her message of freedom make the regime change to its core. Her ten-point plan provides a democratic alternative for future generations of Iran and gives women a chance to lead their country.”

Alan M. Dershowitz

U.S. Civil Rights Lawyer

“If you care about human dignity, human rights, civil life, join the current campaign against the regime in Iran. The world, the people of Iran need a regime change. If you’re a supporter of human rights, you must be an opponent of the regime of Iran.”