On October 10, nations around the globe observed the World Day Against the Death Penalty. Yet, a somber report by Amnesty International revealed that over 50% of worldwide executions, not including China, occurred in Iran.
In a year’s span from October 10, 2022, to October 10, 2023, a staggering 660 individuals were executed, as confirmed by Iranian official records. This is besides the rampant street killings, torture of youths, and widespread suppressions during this timeframe.
Addressing these grave concerns, a pivotal conference was convened at the French National Assembly on October 11. Iranian opposition President-elect Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), alongside several French Assembly representatives, vociferously called for prosecuting Iranian officials complicit in these atrocities.
André Chassaigne, prominent French Parliament member, clarified that the death penalty in Iran transcends being a mere judicial instrument; it is a potent political tool wielded to repress its citizens. He also lauded the undeterred efforts of the PMOI Resistance Units in such a hostile environment.
Mrs. Rajavi sternly remarked, “The world must stand against the mullahs’ warmongering.” She denounced their ploy to manipulate the Palestinian issue and cautioned against Khamenei and Raisi’s strategy to convert the Iranian people’s uprising into a religious war.
Mr. Émile Blessig, esteemed ex-MP, warned that the world would not remain passive to Iran’s escalating execution rate. He foresaw impending prosecution for the perpetrators, especially the Revolutionary Guards.
MP Cécile Rilhac, vocalizing the sentiment of the majority fraction (Renaissance), praised their initiative for a democratic Iran with distinct religion-state demarcation. Despite facing resistance, she expressed unwavering commitment to the Iranian people’s democratic aspirations.
Highlighting broader human rights violations, Professor Aude de Thuin called upon the UN to investigate a reported 30,000 arrests and 3,000 disappearances, urging France’s backing for this critical mission. Mrs. Dominique Attias stressed the link between modern democracy and the call to abolish executions. She praised Mrs. Rajavi’s consistent advocacy against executions since 2006.
Tahar Boumedra, representing the Committee for Justice for the 1988 massacre victims (JVMI), spotlighted the dark role of the current Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, in the mass extermination of 30,000 prisoners that year. He stressed the necessity for Raisi to face trial for these extrajudicial killings, highlighting the contrast between the escalating executions in Iran and the global move towards abolishing the death penalty.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu