In another episode of the “Iran: the Untold Story” podcast, political scientist Milicia Javdan shared her deeply personal journey of political activism and her dedication to the cause of freedom and democracy in Iran. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Milicia’s life has been shaped by her parents’ relentless pursuit of justice and her own commitment to supporting the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
Milicia’s story began with her parents’ flight from Iranian agents in the Philippines, a testament to the Iranian regime’s far-reaching influence and repression. After relocating to Thailand, Milicia’s family eventually found refuge in Norway through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, the safety of Norway was not enough for her parents, who felt compelled to continue their struggle for the Iranian people. This led the family to Iraq, where they joined the PMOI at Camp Ashraf.
Reflecting on her childhood, Milicia emphasized the ideological yet loving environment in which she was raised. “It was in my case, it had the same love,” she said, countering the negative propaganda spread by Iranian agents about her experiences. She expressed deep hurt over attempts to hijack her life experiences to discredit the people she loves.
Milicia’s political activism became more pronounced when she was 16, during a significant rally in the United States that coincided with student protests in Iran. Witnessing the global coverage of these events, she felt a strong connection and responsibility to support her peers in Iran. “I had to be supportive of it,” she said, recalling how she marched in Washington, D.C., advocating for international support for Iranian students’ rights.
Milicia highlighted the need for change in Iran and the unique position of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to lead this transformation. Through her studies and activism, she found no other viable alternatives capable of representing the diverse Iranian people, including ethnic and religious minorities, while providing genuine leadership roles for women. “The NCRI has ethnic and religious minorities, representatives, and 54% of its members are women,” she noted, although acknowledging that many women in the NCRI have been targeted and killed by the Iranian regime.
In 2014, Milicia took on a pivotal role in a project to persuade the Norwegian parliament to facilitate the relocation of PMOI members to European countries. Inspired by NCRI President-elect Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s motto, “We can and we must,” Milicia felt empowered to make substantial changes. Her efforts culminated in a parliamentary resolution, demonstrating her belief that, aside from the laws of physics, nothing is impossible if pursued with determination.
