On May 31, 2025, Baroness Sandeep Verma of the UK House of Lords addressed an international conference hosted by the Iranian Resistance. The event brought together global lawmakers and leaders to advocate for democratic change in Iran and back the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan.
Baroness Verma praised the determination of the Iranian people and the NCRI’s leadership, especially the PMOI-led Resistance Units operating inside Iran. She emphasized that this gathering was more than symbolic — it was a demonstration of what can be achieved when the international community shows the will and courage to act. She urged governments, especially in Europe, to move beyond condemnation and toward concrete actions, starting with proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
She called for the establishment of a special tribunal to investigate crimes against humanity and highlighted the plight of political prisoners such as Maryam Akbari Monfared. Verma also backed the “No to Executions Tuesday” campaign and demanded UN access to prisoners.
Baroness Verma concluded by reaffirming the UK’s strong parliamentary support for the Ten-Point Plan and emphasized that the fall of the regime is inevitable. “A free and democratic Iran is not a matter of if, but when.”
The following is a lightly edited transcript of the speech for clarity and readability.
What an incredible video that was, ladies and gentlemen — showing just a fraction of the activities of the Iranian Resistance Units inside Iran.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure it will not surprise you, judging from my accent, that I am absolutely delighted to be introducing two honorable members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament.
.@Baroness_Verma: Maryam Akbari Monfared has been jailed over a decade for seeking justice for her siblings killed in the 1980s & 1988 massacre. She’s one of many still resisting. We urge EU to demand @UN access to political prisoners.#FreeIran2025
https://t.co/1CZv2t0UxD— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 31, 2025
They are champions of democracy, human rights, and a free Iran: the formidable Baroness Sandeep Verma — a powerful voice on women’s empowerment — and Lord Steve McCabe, a tireless campaigner for democratic values.
Ladies and gentlemen, please give them a very warm welcome.
Madam President-elect, my dearest friend Maryam, honorable colleagues, distinguished guests — it is an honor to join you at this timely and vital Free Iran gathering.
I thank you, Maryam, and my friends — my brothers and sisters in the NCRI and Ashraf 3 — for your kind invitation to be part of this extraordinary event here in France.
What you have achieved is remarkable. You’ve united civil society, parliamentarians, and international dignitaries from across the political spectrum in solidarity with the courageous people of Iran.
We are all joined together by an invisible thread of justice and support for democracy — and by a shared commitment to proceed with the Ten-Point Plan that will bring democracy to Iran.
This gathering is a testament to what the international community can accomplish when it finds the will and moral courage to support the Iranian people’s rightful demands for freedom, justice, and democracy.
But we are not here only to show solidarity with the people of Iran and the NCRI, who lead their struggle.
We are here to urge European and international leaders to move beyond mere words of condemnation and take concrete action — to hold the regime accountable.
We call on them to proscribe the IRGC, which is central to the regime’s terrorism and repression. We know who the perpetrators are. Many of them are already under human rights sanctions. Their crimes have been thoroughly documented by the UN Fact-Finding Mission and the Special Rapporteur on Iran.
.@Baroness_Verma: A free and democratic Iran is not a matter of if, but when. Appeasement doesn’t and won’t work.#FreeIran2025https://t.co/jXJ2AL4P35
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) May 31, 2025
Survivors and victims have bravely testified — but the regime’s tentacles stretch into our own countries. These individuals operate to silence voices for freedom and democracy and intimidate those who speak out.
Ladies and gentlemen, what is really missing is a special tribunal to investigate and prosecute those responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide.
This is not a vague request — it is a recommendation made by UN experts and mandate holders. In the UK, our government has made accountability a stated priority. That is welcome, and I will continue to press for this demand until prosecution becomes a reality.
We must also expose the true nature of Iran’s judiciary. It is not an institution of justice — it is a tool of repression.
A clear example is Maryam Akbari Monfared, imprisoned for over a decade for demanding justice for her siblings who were executed during the 1980s and the 1988 massacre.
She is one of many still imprisoned for their activism — and who continue to resist. We support their “No to Executions Tuesday” campaign, now ongoing for over seventy weeks.
We call on European governments to pressure the regime to allow the UN Special Rapporteur, Ms. Javaid Rehman’s successor, Ms. Nazila Ghanea, to visit Iran and meet with political prisoners — including Bijan Kazemi and Maryam Akbari Monfared.
We expect the international community to move forward with establishing a special tribunal for Iran.
We are proud that in the UK, over 600 parliamentarians have signed in support of Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan.
To the brave people of Iran — especially the women leading the Resistance — we hear you. We stand with you.
A free and democratic Iran is not a matter of if, but when.
Let me leave you with one final thought: a regime that is so cruel and violent to its own people cannot be a friend to anyone else.
Appeasement doesn’t work. It will not work. It cannot work.
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s stand up, speak out, and bring change.
Thank you.