On October 11, 2025, at an international conference at Church House Westminster in London, Councilor Robert Ward of Croydon delivered a deeply personal and impassioned address in support of the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and democracy. Drawing on his own experience living in Iran before the 1979 revolution, Councilor Ward recalled the repression and fear under the Shah’s rule, expressing both sorrow and admiration for a nation that “deserves so much better.”
He praised the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, noting that over 2,000 UK mayors and councilors now back it across party lines. Councilor Ward condemned the Iranian regime’s appalling human rights record, especially its execution of minors—citing Amnesty International’s finding that the regime executes more people under 18 than the rest of the top ten countries combined.
Calling executions “weapons of fear,” he urged the international community to stand united with the Iranian people and recognize their courage, particularly the women and youth who lead the struggle. He ended on a hopeful note, envisioning a future where Iran is known not for oppression but for its culture, history, and contributions to civilization. “No to the Mullahs. No to the Shah,” he declared. “Freedom will prevail.”
The full text of Councilor Robert Ward’s speech follows:
My speech at Church House Westminster marking #WorldDayAgainstTheDeathPenalty, urging an end to the Iranian regime’s record executions and recognition of @Maryam_Rajavi and the NCRI as the democratic alternative to the rule of the mullahs. pic.twitter.com/khD8w2EuWK
— Robert Ward (@moguloilman) October 12, 2025
Thank you so much.
Well, what can I say that’s not already been said? Thank you, chair. Thank you, madam president-elect Rajavi. Ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to share a platform with such a distinguished set of speakers and to have an opportunity to make a very modest contribution.
I was fortunate to work in pre-revolutionary Iran. I saw the best of Iran, but I also saw Iran under the dictatorship of the Shah, witnessing firsthand what it means when people are denied their rights, the fear, the silence, and the injustice. The Iranian people deserve so much better.
In 2023, 1,200 mayors and councilors from across the UK and on a cross-party basis supported the NCRI and Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan. Since then, hundreds more have signed up and that number now exceeds 2,000.
We have all been moved by the extraordinary courage of the Iranian people and particularly by the women and young people who lead this struggle despite the terrible risks. Their bravery is inspirational, and their actions give us hope.
That hope is embodied in the vision of the NCRI and Madam Rajavi. According to Amnesty International, Iran has executed more young people, that’s people below the age of 18, than any other country. Indeed, they have executed more under-18s than the other 10 in the top 10 put together. That is an appalling record.
Executions are not instruments of justice. They are weapons of fear, and the world must not stay silent. Friends, the people of Iran are showing the world that even in the darkest of nights, courage can light the past to freedom. Let us make sure that they know that they are not alone. Let us continue as counsellors, as mayors, and as ordinary citizens to stand with them until the day comes when Iran is free.
I saw how quickly the Shah went from all-powerful to make an ignominious run for the airport to escape with his life. Now I am one of life’s pessimists, but on this matter, I am an optimist. I believe that every day that goes by is a day closer to the day that Iran is free.
I look forward to the day when we talk about Iran, we talk about its history, its culture, the bazaar in Isfahan, Darius the Great and the ruins of Persepolis, the Fire Temple in Yazd. These are the things that we should be talking about when we talk about Iran. We should not be talking about the sort of appalling, record of the mullahs. There is so much that Iran has the world to offer.
So let us each, in our own way, help hasten that day through our voices, our actions, and our unwavering belief that freedom will prevail.
No to the Mullahs. No to the shah. Thank you.