MEK: Summit on How Countries Must Change Foreign Policies Towards Iran

People from more than 10,000 locations across the world participated in the “Trans-Atlantic Summit on Iran Policy” on the eve of the annual UN Assembly. It was hosted from Ashraf 3 in Albania, the home to 3,000 members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK) – the main opposition to the Iranian regime.

There were a number of United States officials that participated in the online summit, with bipartisan members of the US Senate and House of Representatives expressing their support for the people of Iran and their quest for human rights, democracy, and freedom.

Since the uprising in December 2017-January 2018, when Iranian society entered a new phase of uprisings, the regime stepped up its crimes and adventures in three dimensions: #IranProtests #DisbandIRGC

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) September 18, 2020

Every speaker agreed that the situation in Iran is critical and that there needs to be major change urgently.

Former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani, a long-time supporter of the Iranian Resistance (NCRI and MEK), emphasized that there are a number of issues that need to be prioritized.

First of all, the suffering of the people of Iran. For four decades they have been suppressed by the mullahs in Iran and every aspect of their lives has been made difficult.

He also said that Iran’s meddling abroad needs to be addressed, including its export of terrorism and its nuclear program that presents a threat to the entire world.

.@RudyGiuliani : EU supposedly has high regards for human rights But what about the human rights of Iran's people? Don’t you realize the money is going to terrorists, and terrorists kill people? #FreeIran2020 #NoImpunity4Mullahshttps://t.co/C5pFW7Xb4B

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 18, 2020

Many of the speakers made it very clear that the Iranian regime is incapable of change. It will never be able to moderate its behavior because its very existence relies on the export of terrorism, meddling abroad, and the suppression of the people at home.

Rep. Tom McClintock from the U.S. House of Representatives spoke about the 1988 Massacre in which the regime extra-judicially executed 30,000 political prisoners. He said that these executions were of people that “were in prison for merely exercising their fundamental human right, to express their own opinions”. Furthermore, the regime still has not been held accountable for this and the regime is still waging violence against the people of Iran, especially those that dare voice their dissent.

#Iran: Remarks by Rep. Tom McClintock at Conference Focusing on the Mullahs’ Support for Terrorism, special thanks to the government and people of Albania who’ve led the nations of the world in supporting the members of the #Iranian opposition, the #MEK. pic.twitter.com/5Te2mrONkW

— MEK Iran (Mujahedin-e Khalq) (@MEK_Iran) September 14, 2020

U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate Ted Cruz emphasized that in order to move forward, it is important for the regime to be questioned about its crimes and then held to account. He said that there is “no outrage the regime will not commit”.

He also pointed to the recent execution of wrestling champion Navid Afkari despite the international campaign calling for the execution to be halted.

Sen. Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) addressing the #FreeIran2020 Summit today: The mullahs not only violently oppress their own people, but also seek to project that oppression to other ppl across the world. I remain committed to ensure that #Iran's regime is ultimately brought down. pic.twitter.com/sMvPyYSlPB

— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) September 18, 2020

The speakers paid tribute to the (PMOI / MEK Iran), the Resistance as a whole, and the bravery of the people of Iran who are risking everything to make their voices heard.

Ambassador Robert Joseph, the former Undersecretary for Arms Control & International Security of the U.S. Department of State, said that the people must be allowed to decide their future, meaning that the international community has a responsibility to support the democratic opposition which gives the people this chance.

Amb. Robert Joseph
The Resistance Units are the true beacons of freedom. You’ve endured suffering at the hands of the regime for standing up for democracy and a secular republic. Your sacrifices and your success will inspire the next generation in #Iran.https://t.co/xuEvyww1Wl

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 18, 2020

U.S. Senator Martha McSally described the people of Iran as an inspiration and said that the United States stands with them and their “God-given rights for freedom”.

.@SenMcSallyAZ: I’m inspired by the Iranian people who continue to put their lives on the line to protests the murderous Iranian regime. The US and the international community must hold Iran accountable for human rights violations. #FreeIran2020 https://t.co/5wtgHLLe9F

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 18, 2020