Along Associazione Meridiana, supporters of the Iranian Resistance held a human rights conference in Rivoli, Italy – March 2025

A major human rights conference in Rivoli, Italy, has spotlighted the growing international concern over Iran’s worsening human rights record, particularly a sharp rise in executions under the country’s clerical regime. Organized by the Meridiana Human Rights Association and the Free and Democratic Iran Association, the event brought together academics, activists, and members of the Iranian diaspora in a unified call for international action and support for Iran’s organized resistance movement.

Bruno Merlin, president of the Meridiana Association, opened the conference by honoring Iran’s rich cultural history while condemning the current regime as a fundamentalist dictatorship that suppresses freedom and democracy. Merlin highlighted the stark contrast between the regime and the Iranian people’s desire for change, pointing to a growing resistance movement seeking to build a democratic future.

International relations expert Professor Valter Coralluzzo of the University of Turin echoed these sentiments, describing the regime’s ideology as incompatible with peaceful coexistence. He emphasized how the Iranian government, facing internal unrest and international isolation, has turned to executions—including of political prisoners—as a strategy to spread fear and maintain control. Coralluzzo noted that these actions have intensified recently, often met with international silence. He identified the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), led by Maryam Rajavi, as a democratic alternative with a clear secular vision outlined in her Ten-Point Plan.

Youth and women’s involvement in the struggle was a key theme, with Yalda Jahandarpour from the Iranian Youth Association in Italy highlighting the critical role of these groups in recent uprisings. She stressed the importance of the NCRI and its internal resistance units, calling for international backing to help end the regime’s brutal repression and support a democratic republic.

Dr. Yousef Lesani warned that Iran’s leaders, fearing revolt and weakened by geopolitical failures, have responded with mass executions, economic exploitation, and support for regional terrorism. He called on Western governments to end appeasement, recognize the NCRI’s legitimacy, and formally designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Luca Andreani of Amnesty International concluded the conference by denouncing Iran’s systemic use of the death penalty, especially against minorities and women. Despite the regime’s brutality, he expressed hope in the resilience of the Iranian people and the potential for international solidarity to drive change.

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