Alejo Vidal-Quadras, the former vice-President of the European Parliament and a prominent Spanish professor of atomic and nuclear physics, penned an op-ed for Fair Observer criticizing the EU’s approach to the Iranian regime.

New article in @myfairobserver by @isjcommittee President @VidalQuadras
"Meet the “Moderates” the EU Is Trying to Empower in #Iran"#1988Massacre #mek #HumanRights #raisi #Maryam_Akbari_Monfared #FreeIran2019 #IranRegimeChange #IranProtests https://t.co/iQMq2y0mad

— ISJ Committee (@isjcommittee) March 18, 2019

The professor cited the regime’s latest appointment of Ebrahim Raisi as head of the Iranian judiciary as yet further evidence that the regime remains committed to stifling political dissent at home and abroad. A recent Amnesty International report into the 1988 massacre, in which the Iranian regime killed more than 30,000 political prisoners, mainly supporters of the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), asserts that Raisi was directly involved in the roundup and execution of the political prisoners. He was part of a “death committee” in Iran that sent tens of thousands of Iranians to the gallows.

The case, which Vidal-Quadras denounces as a “crime against humanity”, went too far even for several regime insiders. In 2016, a recording of the successor to the Supreme Leader in 1988 was released in which Hossein Ali Montazeri can be heard denouncing the executions as “the biggest crime in the Islamic Republic.”

He told the regime leadership that “history will condemn us,” and added, “they’ll write your names as criminals in history.”

A Source of Pride

For Vidal-Quadras, the evil deeds of 1988 have been compounded by the reluctance to bring those accountable to justice in the subsequent years. “This crime against humanity is not only an insufficient cause for investigation and punishment of the perpetrators but a source of pride for its instigators,” he lamented.

Raisi has previously boasted of his role in the massacre. In 2015, he spoke of his atrocities against the MEK with glee. Vidal-Quadras asks, “weren’t the European Union’s efforts to appease Iran and all these years of dialogue and concessions supposed to empower moderate figures and isolate the hardliners?”

For Vidal-Quadras, the EU has been duped. It has fallen into Tehran’s trap of believing that there are two warring factions; one made up of religious hardliners and one of more placid moderates. As Europe rushed to appease the Iranian “moderates”, the regime received financial aid it could use to repress its people and carry out human rights abuses.

The appointment of Raisi, a “mass murderer”, to the head of the judiciary shows that there is no such division. There are only hardliners. Vidal-Quadras calls on the European Union and its foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, to add Raisi and other senior figures of the regime leadership to the EU’s sanctions list. “Europe must work forcefully for the right of Iran’s people to live in freedom and democracy,” he said.

Vidal-Quadras concluded, “the EU was founded on the principle of human rights. It is high time for the EU to understand its failure and to rethink the way we deal with this inhumane theocracy.”

Staff writer

Four decades ago, almost to the day, the Iranian regime came to power following the ousting of the Shah. Now, 40 years later, to mark the occasion, Iranians around the world are turning out to protest the regime’s violent and repressive rule.

#Iran'ians protest in #Paris for a #FreeIran – Feb 8 https://t.co/V3b5m8OylY

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 8, 2019

On February 8^th, 2019, Paris hosted one such protest. Protestors walked from Denfert Rochereau square to the French National Assembly, calling for an end to the continued human rights abuses in Iran, a cessation of Iranian state-sponsored terror, and for the regime to terminate its nuclear program.

A Who’s Who of the Iranian Opposition

The event drew support from prominent political figures from around the world, many of whom joined the protest. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) addressed the protestors. She told the protestors that now is the time for the overthrow of the mullahs’ regime.

She also called on the international community to recognize the NCRI and MEK in their struggle, and end policies of appeasement that further embolden and empower the tyrannical regime.

For Rajavi and the MEK, including the regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) on EU and US terrorist blacklists is a priority. While these groups are still free to operate freely around the world, Europe and the United States will remain at risk of terror attacks.

The protestors and Maryam Rajavi also appealed for tighter economic sanctions against the regime. Many held banners advocating stricter controls over Iranian oil exports. Ultimately, the money earnt through the regime’s oil industry goes to funding terrorist attacks and proxy wars abroad. The only way to stabilize the Middle East is by reducing the mullahs’ access to these finances.

In addition to Maryam Rajavi, speakers at the event included a member of France’s national assembly, a former Prime Minister of Algeria, and Alejo Vidal Quadras, the former Vice President of the European Parliament.

Vidal Quadras said, “I call on the EU to take a hard line with this theocratic and terrorist regime which has no future.” He also echoed Mrs. Rajavi’s calls for the inclusion of the Iranian regime’s forces in EU and US terror lists.

Gilbert Mitterrand, President of France Libertés drew attention to the 7,000 Iranians that had been arrested following protests in 2018. Their only crime was exercising their right to protest. Michéle de Vaucouleurs, a member of France’s National Assembly, also used his speech to draw attention to Iran’s poor human rights record. He said, “I find the human rights situation in Iran truly regrettable, and I hope this year will be the last year that you have to endure these sufferings.”

A United Front

The protestors that braved the cold and filled Paris with their drums, chants, messages of condemnation, and also messages of hope, showed just how strong the Iranian opposition is becoming. United, their voices are heard.

Speech of Dr @VidalQuadras, #Paris 8 February 2019
“I call on the EU to take a hard line with this theocratic and terrorist regime which has no future.”https://t.co/G1gDxlcBur #FreeIran #Iran pic.twitter.com/NXm2qWHdc2

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 9, 2019

A similar phenomenon is taking place across Iran. The strikes of protests that engulfed Iran in 2018 show no sign of letting up. The people have found their voice and that voice is calling for regime change.

Staff Writer

On Monday, February 4th, Alejo Vidal Quadras, the former Vice-President of the European Parliament, Louis Freeh, the former director of the FBI, Farzin Hashemi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Giulio Terzi, the former foreign minister of Italy, Yves Bonnet, the former director of France’s DST, and Claude Moniquet, a counter-terrorism and Middle East specialist, attended the International Conference in Brussels to discuss the Iranian threat.

Vidal Quadras opened the conference with a brief on the Iranian regime’s terrorist activities in Europe and the US, particularly the recent terrorist activities targeting the MEK. He described how those accused of plotting terrorist acts abroad have close ties to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and regularly accompanied the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to meetings.

The Former Vice-President of the European Parliament criticized the EU’s policy of appeasement and asked, “why not sanction the regime’s supreme leader who endorses all of the terrorist operations?”

Intl Conf- @VidalQuadras: Why not sanction the whole Intelligence Ministry #BlackListMOIS ? Why doesn’t the EU #BlackListIRGC?@USAdarFarsi @eu_eeas #FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi @USAdarFarsi pic.twitter.com/hlKPyLtgwB

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 4, 2019

Vidal Quadras asserted that Europe, “cannot have normal relations with a regime which jeopardizes the safety of citizens in Europe and the US.”

A State-Financed and Controlled Operation

Next, Louis Freeh, the former director of the FBI addressed those in attendance. He reiterated that the connections between the terrorist assailants and the upper echelons of the regime’s leadership demonstrated that “the terrorist activities of the Iranian regime is not the work of only several rogues.” He said, “it is clearly state-financed and state-controlled.”

Freeh drew parallels between the most recent spate of Iranian-sponsored terror attacks on foreign soil and previous attacks that took place while he was head of the FBI.

In 1996, the Iranian regime carried out an attack on the Khobar Tower in Saudi Arabia. 19 US soldiers were killed and the FBI opened an investigation. Freeh said, “the attack was controlled, organized and carried out by the IRGC (the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp). This was done by the government of Iran at senior levels of power.”

“In those days,” Freeh continued, “the regime wanted to appear strong and disciplined and at the same time they resorted to terrorism.”

Louis Freeh: We have a several-year-old #JCPOA. The #Iran-ian regime cannot be trusted.There cannot be a meaningful relationship possible. It could never be trusted.The mullahs do not have the same respect 4the rule of law as we do. #FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi @USAdarFarsi pic.twitter.com/JBr4jDlNrn

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 4, 2019

Freeh concluded, “the Iranian regime cannot be trusted,” adding, “the regime has been doing the same thing for the past 25 years.” “Terrorism is not a pattern of behavior but it is institutionalized. Appeasement of the regime not only conveys a sense of weakness, but it conveys to the adversary to continue to do what it does and the business goes on,” Freeh asserted.

For Freeh, the EU needs to modify its position. Continuing down the road of appeasement will not help combat Iranian terrorism. It will allow it to continue unchecked. “The only way to deal with this regime is clear, firm force and applied sanctions,” he said.

A Regime of Terrorists

To support Freeh’s assessment, the NCRI’s Farzin Hashemi described the findings of an investigation carried out by the NCRI and the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK).

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: #Iran'ian State Terrorism, Growing Threat for Europe, Correct Policy #BlackListIRGC #Blac… https://t.co/unV2Fhfse4

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 4, 2019

Hashemi revealed that Reza Amiri Moghaddam was responsible for the planning and execution of the foiled terror attack in Paris. He coordinated the operation, which involved using a car laden with explosives to attack members of the MEK and their allies at the opposition group’s annual Grand Gathering event, from Vienna with the regime’s diplomat, Assadollah Assadi.

Moghaddam also represented the Iranian regime during the Iranian nuclear deal negotiations. “The EU has been negotiating with individuals who have been personally involved in acts of terrorism and planning in terrorism,” he said.

Additionally, the recently expelled ambassador to Albania, Gholam Hossein Mohammadnia was also a member of the regime’s JCPOA negotiating team.

“Terrorism is institutionalized in the Iranian regime and is approved by Hassan Rouhani and the Supreme Security Council,” Hashemi said, “literally terrorism is in the regime’s DNA.”

“All the regime’s officials are involved in terrorism. They cannot be interlocutors to the European governments. It is time for the EU to impose sanctions on the entire MOIS (Ministry of Intelligence and Security) and IRGC,” Hashemi concluded.

The Cyber Threat

Alejo Vidal Quadras then handed the former Foreign Minister of Italy, Giulio Terzi, the floor. Terzi introduced the regime’s cyber threat and charted its subversive activities online.

Intl Conf: Hon.@GiulioTerzi:
Another issue of concern is the #Iranian regime’s cyber threat, as an element of subversion. The strong existing evidence obliged Twitter &Facebook that #Iran is using social media against west. #FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi @USAdarFarsi pic.twitter.com/CkuFiOHlUU

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 4, 2019

He accused Iran of using social media to subvert Western democracy. “Accounts under false names” are emerging from Iran, he said. “Special attention is needed for counteracting the cyber threat from Iran,” Terzi asserted.

Dealing with the Iranian Threat

All of the speakers at the conference endorsed similar methods for dealing with the regime’s threat. “We must close down the embassies of the Iranian regime that violate the laws of the countries that host them,” Yves Bonnet, the former director of France’s DST, said.

Hon.Yves Bonnet, former director of #France’s DST-Totalitarian regimes intertwine their security activities W/their diplomatic activities. Infact,they use terrorism to physically eliminate their opponents.That is their priority.#FreeIran #ExpelIranDiplomatTerrorists @USAdarFarsi pic.twitter.com/VBxnkavWRO

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 4, 2019

He also endorsed international recognition of the NCRI and the MEK as a viable democratic alternative to regime rule.

Counter-terrorism and Middle East specialist, Claude Moniquet echoed these views and called for tougher sanctions against the MOIS and IRGC. “We have the power to use our authority to obtain and impose verifiable sanctions on the Iranian regime immediately for its terrorist activities on European soil,” he said.

.@ClaudeMoniquet:The Supreme Security Council in #Iran is chaired by Hassan Rouhani &the authorities of all branches are concentrated in this council that makes the decisions which are endorsed by the Supreme Leader.#FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi @USAdarFarsi #BlackListMOIS pic.twitter.com/RmPTgGpFFs

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 4, 2019

He concluded, “complacency never paid. Today there is plenty of evidence against the Iranian regime and this will help us to put pressure on the EU to punish this terrorist regime and demand the end of these activities against Iranian opponents in Europe.”

 

Staff Writer

UPI published an opinion piece on Tuesday, December 18^th, written by the former Vice President of the European Parliament, Alejo Vidal-Quadras. The article calls for a full investigation into the 1988 massacre carried out against the Iranian opposition by the clerical regime. It also urges the international community to take steps to bring those responsible within the regime to justice.

A recent report from Amnesty International, entitled “Blood Soaked Secrets- Why Iran’s 1988 Prison Massacres are Ongoing Crimes Against Humanity”, provided a damning assessment of the scale of the 1988 massacre and the role the mullahs have played in covering up the massacre since.

'Those responsible for the #1988Massacre in Iran must be brought to justice' – by Alejo Vidal-Quadras (@VidalQuadras), president of the Brussels-based International Committee in Search of Justice. #HumanRights #FreeIran @upihttps://t.co/rmnPBZILKD pic.twitter.com/fVMIPMz17T

— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) December 19, 2018

Crimes Against Humanity

Between July and September 1988, the Iranian regime arbitrarily executed more than 30,000 political prisoners. The vast majority were from the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), a pro-democracy group that opposes the regime in Iran and across the world.

The orders for the barbaric and brutal murders came from the Supreme Leader Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini. Vidal-Quadras writes, “all throughout the country, political prisoners were taken to ‘death committees’ that would ask them about their political and religious loyalties. Those who manifested continuing loyalty to the PMOI [MEK]… were summarily executed and in most cases buried in anonymous mass graves”.

The fact that many families were not informed of their loved one’s death, and to this day, many victims’ families do not know where their loved one was buried, makes the nature of the crimes ongoing.

“Since 1988 the Iranian regime not only has harassed and attacked the families of the victims searching for justice but has denied that the massacre took place”, Vidal-Quadras writes.

30,000 political prisoners executed in the summer of1988 in #Iran by Mullahs in #iran #No2Rouhani #humanrights .@UNHumanRights #1988Massacre pic.twitter.com/YmvnNUMYTi

— Parnian Saramad (@parnian2013) September 20, 2016

The Amnesty International report highlights the fact that some of the officials involved in the killings still occupy senior positions within the Iranian leadership today. The current Minister for Justice, Alireza Avaei, for example, was involved in the violent and brutal execution campaign.

The report concluded that the Iranian regime had carried out forced disappearances, torture, murder, and extermination to such a degree that they amounted to crimes against humanity.

The International Community Has an Obligation

Following the report, Vidal-Quadras concludes that the responsibility now lies with the international community to ensure the culprits are brought to justice. “As we very well know that the Islamic Republic’s institutions won’t ever guarantee a fair and thorough investigation”, he says, “we ask international bodies such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court to ensure independent criminal investigations”.

Vidal-Quadras concludes, “We, in Europe, know that bringing justice to the victims of a crime against humanity not only means justice for those affected but a lesson of history for all to remember”, adding, “we bring justice not only to close a case but also to remind us and the next generations that crimes against humanity cannot be under any circumstances left unpunished”.

Staff Writer

 

On September 14th, Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras gave a speech at a conference in Geneva, Switzerland commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1988 execution of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran. The prisoners, who were mostly members or supporters of the MEK, were executed over the course of a single summer after refusing to renounce their support for the MEK.

Former European Parliament VP Alejo Vidal-Quadras:
During the presidency of the so-called moderate Hassan Rouhani, more than 3,500 people been executed.
This regime is a killing regime. Europe should side with the people of Iran. pic.twitter.com/UbfxrOEzL5

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 14, 2018

The conference was attended by a group of human rights activists, politicians, and dignitaries who seek an independent investigation into the crimes against humanity. Dr. Vidal-Quadras was a co-organizer of the event and is president of the International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ), an organization whose goal is to see that the perpetrators of the 1988 massacre are brought to justice and tried in international court.

In his speech, Dr. Vidal-Quadras called the 1988 massacre “probably the worst crime in Iran’s modern history. Vidal-Quadras noted that none of the perpetrators have ever been arrested for the executions. Instead, many “who have even admitted their role in this crime, have been rewarded and hold senior or ministerial positions in Iran today. Two of them are the previous and the present minister of Justice. Appointing the perpetrator of a crime against humanity as minister of Justice is really a world record of Evil.”

Vidal-Quadras spoke of the current human rights situation in Iran and the current number of executions. He rejected the idea that regime President Hassan Rouhani is a reformer, pointing out that more than 3,500 people have been executed in Iran since the start of Rouhani’s presidency.

Vidal-Quadras described the regime as a “killing machine,” saying that the regime has “responded brutally to the nationwide protests and uprisings which began in late December and have continued in different cities.” He added that more people have died under torture once in custody.

Dr. Vidal-Quadras urged the European community to “side with the people of Iran.” He said that the current policy of the EU and Federica Mogherini (High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy), “in closing their eyes to human rights violations and repression of women and just focusing on business and trade, is a disgrace.”

Vidal-Quadras stressed that Europe must make relations with Iran conditional on a halt in executions and significant progress in human rights. He emphasized that “Iran is not a normal country to do business with. There are no free elections in Iran. Iran is indeed a dictatorship but of an especially malignant type. It is a totalitarian theocracy which survives by the repression inside and instigation of war, terrorism and civil conflicts outside its borders.”

Vidal-Quadras stated that the Iranian regime is “very unstable and weak” and “has no future.” He reiterated his point that there are no moderates in Iran and that that the future “

We should tell them that contrary to what they think, this is a regime and e. So even for our long-term interests we should not count on the mullahs and have illusions about Rouhani or the so-called moderates, there are no real moderates in this religious dictatorship. The future “belongs to democracy and not these backward, brutal and murderous fanatics that oppress cruelly their own people and are the worst threat to peace and stability in the Middle East and in the whole world.”

Vidal-Quadras concluded by saying: “It is essential that the UN Security Council refer this case to the International Criminal Court to arrange for the prosecution of the regime’s leaders and those responsible for the massacre. I look forward to a more active role of the UN to prosecute the Iranian regime’s officials who took part in the mass killings in summer of 1988. We need urgently a commission of enquiry.  A crime of such magnitude must not remain unpunished.”

Staff Writer

On Friday, September 14th, a group of human rights activists, politicians, and dignitaries held a conference at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva. The conference was in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the execution of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran, most of whom were MEK members, over the course of a single summer in 1988.

Conference participants sought to increase public awareness of the 1988 massacre and to persuade the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to include a discussion of the massacre in the upcoming summit of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Ultimately, the conference’s goal is to see that the perpetrators of the massacre are brought to justice. To date, none of those responsible for the mass executions have been held accountable for their actions, and many of the perpetrators continue to hold positions of power within the Iranian regime.

The 1988 massacre occurred as a result of a fatwa issued by then-Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, who ordered the executions of all political prisoners associated with the MEK who did not renounce the MEK. Prisoners were sentenced to death after 15-minute trials and executed in groups. At the end of the summer, 30,000 prisoners had been executed.

The 1988 massacre has been described as one of the biggest crimes of humanity since World War II. There have been a number of calls for an independent investigation and international criminal prosecution of those responsible for the acts.

A conference discussing the #1988Massacre when over 30,000 political prisoners, mostly members & supporters of the #Iran opposition PMOI/MEK, were mass executed by the mullahs' regime.https://t.co/BcY3Gb3Ivk

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 14, 2018

Conference participants spoke of the massacre and the need for an independent investigation into the crime against humanity. Former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt describes the history of the mass executions, noting that the prisoners had already been sentenced and that “[some of them were about to be released.”

She also spoke about the regime’s efforts to cover up its crime. “The regime is covering the mass graves and prohibiting the families from speaking about it,” Betancourt said.

30 Years After The #1988Massacre Of Prisoners In #Iran
Ingrid Betancourt: Since executions carried out in secrecy,prisoners weren’t shot, that would make noise,most were hanged, & prolonged deaths, suffering for 15min or so in most cruel & inhumane methodshttps://t.co/wGTRgcDR8d pic.twitter.com/5vXnYld90h

— Iran Freedom-En (@4freedominiran2) September 15, 2018

Betancourt stressed that the regime still poses a dire threat to the Iranian opposition, particularly the MEK, citing a foiled terror attack against an Iranian Resistance gathering in Paris in June of this year.

“The only chance we have to confront terrorism today is to help democracy get back to Iran,” she concluded.

Tahar Boumedra, distinguished jurist, former U.N. representative in Iraq, and the current head of Justice for the Victims of the 1988 (JVMI) emphasized the need for an independent investigation into the 1988 mass executions.

30 Years After The Massacre Of Political Prisoners In Iran
Mr. Taher Boumedra: The Iran regime will never form an investigation into #1988Massacre and they will destroy the evidence.#Iran #IranRegimeChange #MEK#HumanRightshttps://t.co/wGTRgcDR8d pic.twitter.com/Mkgs4J1oOD

— Iran Freedom-En (@4freedominiran2) September 15, 2018

“As far as the United Nations is concerned, they’re still asking the government of Iran to investigate the event. They know they will never investigate,” said Boumedra.

Laurence Fehlmann Rielle, a member of the Swiss Federal Parliament, echoed the call for an investigation, calling the 1988 executions “one of the most atrocious crimes that haven’t been investigated by the international community.”

Juan Garcés, Spanish lawyer and former advisor of Chilean President Salvador Allende, spoke about the religious element to the mullahs’ crime.

“This massacre had a religious element because the victims were killed under the pretext of enmity with God. What can we do in this regard? 30 years have passed. These crimes that have a genocidal nature are usually committed by the state, and naturally, we can’t expect the state to serve justice… We must gather all possible evidence, including those of the victims and the perpetrators. One day, this can all be brought to the attention of an international court of law. Establishing a universal jurisdiction can pursue these cases,” Garcés emphasized.

Gilbert Mitterrand, President of Danielle Mitterand Foundation and one of the organizers of the conference, urged the international community to put politics aside and prioritize human rights in decisions about the 1988 massacre.

“How many more such sessions do we need to hold?… We would like to go further, not only the 1988 massacres but also the current situation in Iran, where human rights continue to be trampled. The international community shows that it has other priorities above human rights,” he said.

Mitterand continued: “Former UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Asma Jahangir, requested an independent inquiry into the 1988 massacre… The international community has condemned the Iranian regime for trying to erase the traces of this crime… The international community is the ally of the Iranian people. We shouldn’t play the game of the mullahs.”

Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former Vice-President of European Parliament (1999-2014) and the President of the international committee In Search of Justice (ISJ) called the 1988 executions “probably the worst crime in Iran’s modern history.”

#Geneva–@isjcommittee Pres @VidalQuadras in #UN Conference
"We in #Europe should side with people of #Iran. The current policy of #EU & @FedericaMog in closing their eyes to #HumanRights violations & just focusing on business is a disgrace"#1988Massacre https://t.co/JhtMKQVqc2 pic.twitter.com/Rb1ufQDm8s

— ISJ Committee (@isjcommittee) September 15, 2018

Vidal-Quadras described the lack of accountability for the massacre, saying, “Many of the perpetrators who have admitted to their role in this crime, have not been brought to justice.” Instead, the criminals have been given ministerial positions within the regime, he said.

Vidal-Quadras said that the violation of human rights is still a problem under the current regime.
“During the presidency of Hassan Rouhani,” he said, “more than 3,500 people have been executed. His predecessor was not ‘moderate’ but he killed fewer people. The concept of moderation in the Iranian regime is quite original.”.

After reminding the audience that the current regime has killed more than 50 people in the streets since the beginning of the popular protests last December, Vidal-Quadras concluded by saying:

“It’s not an exaggeration if we call this regime a killing machine,” Vidal-Quadras said, criticizing European politicians and state for disregarding the Iranian regime’s abysmal human rights record.

“We must remind our European governments that Iran is not a normal government to do business with. It’s a totalitarian theocracy that survives by instigating civil conflict and terror outside their borders,” he went on. “This is a very unstable and weak regime, and it has no future. We should not count on the mullahs and have illusions about Rouhani and the so-called moderates. The future belongs to democracy.”

Finally, Sanobargh Zahedi, attorney, and Chair of the Iranian opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran’s (NCRI) Justice Commission reiterated the call for an independent investigation, describing the regime’s past and current crimes against humanity and the need for accountability.

“The families of the victims still do not how & why their loved ones die, or where they were buried. This is an ongoing form of psychological torture designed to put fear into people. If anyone asks what happened in 1988 or speaks to U.N. mandate holders, they are persecuted, detained and tortured themselves… The people who have committed these murderous crimes have never been held accountable. They have been promoted by the regime for their actions… Iran still executes the most people per capita in the world. Then NCRI calls on the UN Human Rights Council, the General Assembly, the Special Representative, and all special mandate holders to cooperate. Together we can ensure there is accountability and an end to impunity in Iran. We need an international inquiry because the Iranian regime is never going to investigate itself.”

Staff Writer