An overwhelming majority of Northern Ireland parliamentarians, 75 out of 90 representatives from diverse political parties, issued a resolute statement reaffirming the vehement rejection of the oppressive theocracy gripping Iran and the despotic reign of the overthrown Shah. Their proclamation resounded with the unified voice of the Iranian people, echoing their nationwide uprising against tyranny.
The MPs expressed their support for the 10-point program of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
Announced two decades ago, the 10-point plan champions fundamental principles such as free and fair elections, the preservation of freedom of speech and assembly, the abolishment of the death penalty, the promotion of gender equality, the separation of religion and government, the recognition of the autonomy of Iranian nationalities and ethnicities, and the pursuit of a non-nuclear Iran.
The endorsement of the 10-point plan by the Irish MPs reaffirms the shared belief in the vital importance of these principles for the future prosperity and freedom of the Iranian people.
The statement of the majority of the Northern Ireland Parliament is as follows:
Support the Iranian People in Their Struggle
for a Secular and Democratic Republic
February 2023
For the past six months, the world has witnessed a sweeping popular uprising in Iran, demanding freedom and democracy. Some 750 protesters have been killed and 30,000 arrested. While any change should come from the Iranian people and their own resistance, the international community has its own responsibility.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Iran in their desire for a secular and democratic republic where no individual, regardless of religion or birthright, has any privilege over others. Through their slogans the Iranian people have made it clear that they reject all forms of dictatorship, be it the deposed Shah or the current theocratic regime and thus reject any association with either.
We believe it is for the Iranian people to decide their future. However, we recognize the fact that over the past four decades, the democratic coalition of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has constantly and tirelessly pursued democratic change. In this respect, we believe the Ten-point Plan articulated by the NCRI President, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, deserves our support. It stands for free elections, freedom of assembly and expression, abolition of the death penalty, gender equality, the separation of religion and state, autonomy for Iran’s ethnicities, and a non-nuclear Iran.
The Iranian people’s courageous uprising can be attributed, on the one hand, to the explosive state of Iranian society, a product of suppression, poverty, discrimination, and government corruption, and, on the other hand, four decades of nationwide organized resistance. Tragically, in the summer of 1988 alone, over 30,000 political prisoners – the vast majority of whom were members of the MEK – were brutally massacred.
We condemn the Iranian regime’s meddling in the Middle East region and Europe, including its terrorist attempts and cyber-attacks in Albania.
We urge the international community to stand with the Iranian people in their quest for change and to take decisive steps against the current regime. This includes blacklisting the IRGC and holding regime officials accountable for their crimes against humanity.