Declaration by 71 Representatives in PACE Acknowledging People’s Rights and Iran’s Resistance in the Fight Against the Mullahs’ Regime
In a strong denouncement of the ongoing oppressive measures in Iran, 71 members from diverse political backgrounds in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), including four Vice-presidents, have united to champion the rights of the Iranian people. The statement underscores the alarming human rights situation, pointing to the execution of 864 individuals, including political prisoners, in 2023 alone. It also emphasizes the distressing history of tens of thousands of political prisoners executed in the past four decades, notably the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988, primarily from the opposition PMOI.
Expressing deep concern over the violent response to the 2022 protests, where 750 people lost their lives while rejecting any form of dictatorship, whether religious or monarchic, PACE members reference verified videos that depict security forces intentionally shooting unarmed protesters from close range, according to a UN Special Rapporteur.
Characterizing the Iranian regime as unchangeable, the statement invokes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), recognizing “rebellion against tyranny and oppression” as a last resort. The regime is also accused of being a primary source of terrorism and warmongering, especially in ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the Red Sea.
In solidarity with 3,600 parliamentarians and 125 former world leaders, PACE members endorse the 10-point plan proposed by the National Council of Resistance of Iran President Maryam Rajavi. This plan advocates for the establishment of a secular democratic republic in Iran, based on principles of free elections, gender equality, and peaceful coexistence.
The call to action includes holding regime leaders accountable for the killing of political prisoners and demonstrators, recognizing the inherent right of the Iranian people and resistance to fight for freedom, and urging the blacklisting of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity. This collective plea amplifies the global demand for justice, accountability, and the realization of fundamental human rights in Iran.
The complete text of the declaration by 71 representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is provided below:
PACE-Declaration