On October 19, the Italian Senate hosted a seminal conference titled, “Iran: One Year after the Violent Uprising and the Regime’s Continued Dissemination of False Information”. 

Overseen by Senator Giulio Maria Terzi, Chair of the EU Relations Committee, the event convened a cadre of international luminaries. Among the eminent attendees were former Colombian presidential nominee, Mrs. Ingrid Betancourt; Mr. Emanuele Pozzolo of the Italian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee; former parliamentarian Mrs. Elisabetta Zamparutti, co-founder of Hands Off Cain; and Mr. Antonio Stango, head of the Italian Federation for Human Rights.

In a significant revelation, Senator Terzi announced the bestowal of the 2023 Sakharov Prize upon Mahsa Amini, symbolizing the courage of Iranian women fighting for freedom. This accolade, facilitated by representatives of the European Parliament, punctuated the session’s commencement.

A focal point of the discussion revolved around the Iranian regime’s systematic endeavors to undermine the Iranian resistance. Senator Terzi delineated the regime’s extensive network of misinformation and propaganda, utilized not just domestically, but also to target political adversaries worldwide.

Mrs. Betancourt elucidated the global ramifications of the Iranian regime’s actions, tying them to escalated terrorism, especially in the Middle East. Drawing from her traumatic experiences as a hostage, she detailed her introduction to the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and decried the falsehoods propagated against it by the Iranian government.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Pozzolo underscored the virulent disinformation campaigns against the MEK, both in Italy and the West, and censured those who have fallen prey to the Iranian regime’s machinations. He fervently entreated global parliaments to recognize and resist Iran’s ulterior motives.

Mrs. Zamparutti took the audience back to the trying times when MEK was unjustly labeled as a terrorist entity. She commended the organization’s transformation into a beacon of modernity and human rights, singling out the inspirational leadership of NCRI President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi. Pointing to the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi, she celebrated contrasting ideologies that challenge Iran’s regressive stances.

Mr. Antonio Stango reiterated concerns about democratic nations being ensnared in the web of Iranian misinformation. Recounting a dubious incident involving French authorities and the Iranian Resistance two decades ago, he pressed for governmental accountability and rectification of past missteps.

Culminating the conference, Mr. Stango emphasized the importance of acknowledging the Iranian Resistance’s aspirations. Outlined in a Ten-Point Plan by Mrs. Rajavi, these tenets advocate for a secular government, equal rights, and the eradication of capital punishment and torture, painting a hopeful vision for Iran’s future.

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