said<\/a>: \u201cThe Resistance movement under the leadership of Maryam Rajavi can and must bring the change to Iran because, if a movement, despite harsh conditions imposed on it by a medieval regime, has made real achievements on the question of equality between women and men, which is one of the most difficult tasks in the history of the world\u2026 then this movement is pushing to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\nShe continued: \u201cThis movement has been able to bring up a generation of powerful women to undertake the most serious responsibilities particularly in the struggle against fundamentalism. This movement has also been able to make equality and parity happen without abandoning men. In fact, instead, it has created a generation of active and responsible men with open minds to accept women\u2019s hegemony. Then, I would say that this movement is certainly prepared to launch democratic change in Iran. You are almost there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Free Iran rally featured a number of prominent female speakers, including President Maryam Rajavi, who discussed the idea that regime change in Iran would not only bring freedom for the people of Iran but also peace to the Middle East and an end to Islamist terrorism around the globe.<\/p>\n
Maryam Rajavi said, \u201cThe winds of change have started blowing in our homeland. The ruling regime is in disarray and paralysed as never before. Iranian society is simmering with discontent and the international community is finally getting closer to the reality that appeasing the ruling theocracy is misguided. The same volatile situation speaks to three fundamental truths for obtaining freedom in Iran, and peace and tranquillity in the region. First, the imperative of overthrowing the ruling religious dictatorship. Second, the regime\u2019s overthrow is within reach. And third, a democratic alternative and an organised resistance exist, which is capable of toppling the theocracy in Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rajavi encouraged women, young people, and other marginalised groups in Iran to join the Resistance and rise up against the Regime.<\/p>\n
The other female speakers expressed support for the Resistance, support for Rajavi, and promised to work towards freedom for Iran.<\/p>\n
Baroness Sandip Verma, British Parliamentary under Secretary of State for International Development and Ministerial Champion for tackling Violence against Women & Girls Overseas, said: \u201cWe want to make sure that the desires of the people of Iran for freedom and democracy are realised. We are delivering hope not only to the people of Iran but to ourselves that we can make a change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda Chavez, Chair of the Center for Equal Opportunity said: \u201cYour movement under the leadership and the direction of Maryam Rajavi is the one that can replace the (Iranian) regime. You are the hope for the freedom of Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n
The speakers also expressed concern over the state of women’s rights in Iran; they suffer heavy restrictions on their employment, their dress, and their basic rights.<\/p>\n
Maria Elena Elverdin, President of International Federation of Women in Legal Careers, said: \u201cI bring the support of International Federation of Women in Legal Careers from around the world to Mrs. Rajavi and her struggle for freedom in Iran. I want to send a strong message to women and girls watching us inside Iran, now: We are with you and we will fight for your rights until your victory!\u201d<\/p>\n
British MP Theresa Villier said: \u201cI am here today to support freedom for Iran\u2026 We pay tribute to Maryam Rajavi who leads the struggle for a democratic future for Iran… It is completely unacceptable that 2000 women are arrested in Iran every day\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Maria Candida Almeida, Deputy Attorney General of Portugal, said: \u201cI respect and believe in your ideas and share your dream of freedom, equality, liberation and your perseverance in fighting for human rights in particular for women\u2019s rights… After relocation of MEK to Albania, the next step is [the] victory of Mrs. Rajavi to a free Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n
Els Van Hoof, chair of the women\u2019s faction in the Belgian Parliament, expressed concern over women\u2019s rights but lauded the Iranian Resistance and the MEK for women\u2019s leadership in the movement.<\/p>\n
Other female speakers at the Free Iran rally included:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rita S\u00fcssmuth, former speaker of the German Bundestag and women\u2019s rights advocate<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Germany\u2019s former Minister of Justice<\/p>\n
\u2022 Catherine Noone, a practising solicitor and Deputy Leader of Seanad \u00c9ireann, the Upper House of Ireland<\/p>\n
\u2022 Elona Gjebrea, deputy Interior Minister of Albania and National Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00cdngrid Betancourt, former presidential candidate for Columbia<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rama Yade, French Secretary of Human Rights (2007-2009) and permanent delegate to UNESCO (2010-2011)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mich\u00e8le de Vau Covler, French MP<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nejat Al-Astal, Palestinian MP<\/p>\n
\u2022 Martine Valleton, mayor of Villepinte, France<\/p>\n
Other prominent attendees included, but were not limited to:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Eva Duran Ramos, President of Popular Party in Puente de Vallecas and former Spanish MP<\/p>\n
\u2022 Margarita Dur\u00e1n Vadell, Spanish Senator, journalist and historian<\/p>\n
\u2022 Virginia Romero Banon, Spanish Senator and lawyer<\/p>\n
\u2022 Carmen Navaro Bellot, linguist and language rights activist from Spain<\/p>\n
\u2022 Concetta Giallombardo, Italian Attorney and President of the Association of Female Jurists<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ana Paula Matos Barros, Portuguese lawyer and MP<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cherifa Kheddar, human rights activist and chair of the Algerians Association<\/p>\n
\u2022 Malika Boussouf, Algerian writer, journalist and women’s rights activist<\/p>\n
\u2022 Evelyn Yonnet, French Senator<\/p>\n
The gathering was attended by over 100,000 politicians, dignitaries, and human rights activists from around the world.<\/p>\n
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