In a conference at the Italian Parliament premises on 25 September 2024, MPs and senators joined in a call to end executions in Iran. The conference titled “Iran: No to Executions – A Call for Justice,” raised alarm at the widespread use of executions in Iran as a tool of repression.
The conference, chaired by MP Naike Gruppioni, the Vice President of the Italy-USA Foundation, opened with strong condemnation of the Iranian regime’s ongoing violence and repression. Gruppioni emphasized the rise in executions, particularly against women, and highlighted the cases of two protesters who died under torture after being imprisoned. She denounced the regime’s systematic abuse of power.
She reflected on the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, a mass execution widely condemned by international human rights organizations and described it as a crime against humanity and genocide and called on the international community to act decisively. “The world cannot stay silent in the face of these horrors,” she said, urging continuous efforts to secure the release of political prisoners and to stop executions in Iran.
Senator Cinzia Pellegrino reiterated Italy’s firm stance against the death penalty and repression in Iran, emphasizing that the fight for an end to executions is not just symbolic. “We have long said ‘Stop the executions in Iran,’ but for us, this is more than a slogan,” Pellegrino stated. She pointed to Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan as a blueprint for Iran’s democratic future, affirming that European leaders stand together in rejecting torture, the death penalty, and political discrimination.
Senator Raffaele Speranzon expressed solidarity with Iranians suffering under the clerical rule, praising their courage in the face of oppression. “Your people are a symbol of humanity,” he remarked, acknowledging the resilience of Iranian dissidents who continue to resist despite facing the threat of death. Speranzon noted the bravery of those fighting for a free Iran and encouraged them to keep hope alive.
Senator Marco Scurria emphasized the critical role of hope in the fight for freedom, urging the Iranian people to persist. “Tell your people that hope must never fade! The wind of freedom is stronger than any wall, any court, or any bizarre Ayatollah,” Scurria declared, comparing the struggle in Iran to Italy’s own fight for democracy. He highlighted the shared values of freedom and justice that connect both nations.
MP Emanuele Pozzolo discussed the Iranian regime’s role in global instability, describing it as the “head of the snake” in international terrorism. He condemned the regime’s use of violence and defamation against dissidents.
Former Senator Roberto Rampi emphasized that the Iranian people must determine their own future and underscored the failures of past interventions in the region.
Manuele Vescovi, reflecting on his ongoing support for the Iranian cause, reaffirmed the global importance of the fight for democracy in Iran.
President-elect of the opposition coalition, National Council of Resistance of Iran, also joined the conference via zoom link praising the parliamentarians for their commitment to end executions in Iran. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi called Iran’s judiciary an “execution machine” and emphasized that the country holds the world record for executions, with 180 executions in a short span since the new president took office last August. She argued that these executions serve as a strategic tool for the regime to ensure its survival. Rajavi reaffirmed the NCRI’s commitment to abolishing the death penalty in a democratic Iran and urged international community to hold Tehran accountable.
The conference concluded with a call to the international community to hold the Iranian regime accountable and to support the Iranian people in their fight for freedom and justice.