On February 20, a significant conference titled “Women and Youth: Pioneers of Democratic Change in Iran” was held at the British Parliament, organized by the Iranian Youth Association in the UK.
This event brought together political figures, Members of Parliament (MPs), and a vibrant gathering of Iranian youths living in the UK, all united by a common cause: to advocate for democratic change in Iran. The conference spotlighted the vital role of grassroots movements in Iran and underscored the urgent need for international recognition of their right to self-defense against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Speakers unanimously called upon the UK government to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, a move they argued would significantly bolster the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and democracy.
Rana Rahmanifard, the head of the Iranian Youth Association and the driving force behind the conference, voiced strong support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, and her Ten-Point Plan. Rahmanifard’s call to action was clear: push for democratic reforms in Iran and ensure the IRGC is recognized for its oppressive activities by listing it on the UK’s blacklist.
Mr. Martyn Day, representing the Scottish National Party in Parliament, highlighted the influential role of youth in shaping the future of Iran. He echoed the call for recognizing the resistance’s right to self-defense and for the UK to acknowledge the IRGC as a terrorist entity.The conference also heard from Mr. Jim Shannon of the Democratic Unionist Party, who condemned the Iranian regime’s oppression of women and its aggressive foreign policies. Similarly, Mr. Roger Lyons, a former Trades Union Congress leader, criticized the regime’s crackdown on labor unions and workers’ strikes, advocating for prompt sanctions against the IRGC.
Legal and artistic voices were also prominent at the conference. Azadeh Zabeti and Mohammad Soleimani, representing Iranian lawyers and artists in the UK, respectively, shared their perspectives on the regime’s injustices and the enduring struggle for accountability and freedom in Iran. Their testimonies underscored the regime’s extensive repression and the vibrant resistance against it.
International solidarity was a key theme, with Volodymyr Skuratovich from Ukraine condemning the regime’s interventions abroad and supporting the cause of democracy in Iran for regional peace. Personal stories of struggle and resilience were shared by speakers like Dr. Ehsan Zabihi and Omid Ebrahimi, who recounted their experiences of migration and loss at the hands of the regime, further fueling their determination to fight for freedom and human rights.
Melissa Tavakoli called attention to the often overlooked stories of Iranian women and urged action against the regime’s atrocities, including the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
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