On February 22, at the International Conference “Women, Force for Change – Free Iran 2025”, Dorien Rookmaker, former Dutch MEP, delivered a powerful speech emphasizing the determination of Iranian women in the fight for democracy. She praised Maryam Rajavi’s leadership and called for global support for Iran’s democratic opposition, declaring, “We are not to be ruled—we should rule.”
Rookmaker reaffirmed that the Iranian people have rejected both the Shah and the ruling mullahs, advocating for a democratic Iran where the people, not dictators, decide their future. She also spoke about her activism on social media, revealing that she regularly faces threats from agents of the Iranian regime and monarchists. However, she remains undeterred, responding to critics by asserting that only the Iranian people should choose their leaders—but they must have the freedom to do so.
Condemning the Iranian regime’s oppression of women, she highlighted that Iran has the highest rate of female executions, with one in ten executions in 2024 being a woman. She criticized the United Nations for its silence, questioning its effectiveness if it cannot ensure free elections in Iran after 45 years of dictatorship.
Rookmaker ended her speech with a call to action, urging world leaders to support Maryam Rajavi’s democratic plan, emphasizing that real change requires action, not just words.
The full text of Dorien Rookmaker’s speech follows:
What a great conference. What a bunch of great speakers. What wonderful women we have around here. I’m so honored and humbled by all these speak speakers that came before me.
So I’m trying to make it short because there was so much said already. But first of all, I would like to say thank you, Maryam Rajavi, for being such a great example for all of us. You set an example for politics as it should be. As a founder of the platform, not the political party, but the platform more direct democracy, I’m all for democracy. I’m not I don’t have a program. I just want democracy. And I think every person, every human being, and especially every woman above a certain age, of course, should be able to be active in politics. We are not to be ruled. We should rule.
In Iran worden meisjes getrouwd op 13 jarige leeftijd. Soms zelfs als ze nog maar 9 jaar oud zijn. Dit is de Sharia. @MinPres @MabelvanOranje pic.twitter.com/Flu51O2EMu
— Dorien Rookmaker (@RookmakerDorien) February 22, 2025
The Iranian people are committed to dismantling the current dictatorship. They say “No to the Shah and no to the mullahs,” and this is a clear message.
I’m rather active on social media and I get threats from people who are supporting the mullahs or agents of the mullahs or agents of the Shah’s. But if you stay decisive, then they will go away. This is what I experienced. And they tell me they tell me, who are you Mrs. Rookmaker that you can tell us, who has to govern in Iran? And then I said, well, you know, I don’t. I don’t. I think the people of Iran should decide, but they should be able to decide, you know? And the only one who has a big and powerful movement and is the leader of the opposition and can do this, can organize this, is Maryam Rajavi. So, a big applause for her.
For the past forty six years, women have been the primary victims of Iran’s misogynistic regime. I practice this word. It’s very difficult for a woman from the Netherlands to pronounce. It’s discrimination against women. It’s institutionalized.
In The Netherlands, we have a problem with women rights as well. Let’s be honest. One in eight days, a woman in The Netherlands is killed by either her husband or her ex-boyfriend or whatever. So there are problems. We don’t have to deny that. But the big difference with the situation of women in Iran is that they are terrorized by the regime on top of what is going on in the family.
The Maltese delegation makes a call to action at the women conference for a free Iran 2025 @janicechetcuti @GraziellaGalea @BerniceBonello pic.twitter.com/sxlJIo1CgX
— Dorien Rookmaker (@RookmakerDorien) February 22, 2025
Iran holds the highest record of female executions. Last year in 2024, this was one in 10. This is extraordinary. Right? This is outrageous.
The regime is oppressive policies such as a compulsory hijab further marginalize and deprive women of their rights. And despite of these challenges, women in Iran are fighting for their rights. And every time when I see all these images on social media of women in Iran fighting for their rights, it’s incredible. And I thought, you know, what is the United Nations doing about this? I think they are far too silent. So I thought, why do we have a United Nations? Because the title of this conference is “Free Iran 2025. This shouldn’t be a title. This should be a prophecy. Free Iran in 2025.
And if the United Nations if the United Nations cannot organize, cannot see to it that there are democratic elections in Iran after 45 years, I think the United Nations should go home. They should stop. There is no use of a United Nations if they are this powerless.
And I thought by myself, why don’t we have United Democratic Nations? And you know what? I found a site of the United Democratic Nations.
Donna resistenza e liberta! De Italiaanse delegatie op de Vrouwenconferentie in Parijs. @_elisapirro @giannagancia pic.twitter.com/d5YrRKPC2I
— Dorien Rookmaker (@RookmakerDorien) February 22, 2025
That is what we should organize. But then I opened the side, and what did I see? It is just a plan. There is nothing in it. But I think Maryam Rajavi can lead us to a democratic United Nations.
Women are opressed and women are severely oppressed in Iran. But in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, I want to say no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. So stay brave and, fight for your rights and against oppression.
Iranian women refused to be subdued and continue to resist oppressive laws. And, again, this is really courageous. To world leaders today who are watching us, I urge you, I demand that you support Maryam Rajavi. She deserves it.
She has a 12 plan for a democratic Iran and this will serve world peace, all over the world, of course.
Great conference with female politicians from around the world who support the NCRI, led by @Maryam_Rajavi, wholeheartedly. Let 2025 be the year of preparation for real free elections in Iran. @UN @vonderleyen https://t.co/xu9NuTYsbc
— Dorien Rookmaker (@RookmakerDorien) February 22, 2025
Remember the world of, the words of Margaret Thatcher. She said, if you want some something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. Let us act together to support the Iranian people in their quest for freedom and equality.
Now we need the 12 plan planning to get it into execution. And I hope we can all contribute to that in the next coming years. And let’s make Iran free in 2025.
Thank you.