On November 26, the city of Cuneo reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Iranian Resistance by unanimously approving a resolution condemning the Ayatollah regime’s human rights abuses and executions. The city council session, marked by extensive discussions, highlighted the plight of those risking their lives to oppose the oppressive Iranian government and emphasized the need for international action.
The resolution, spearheaded by Ughetta Biancotto of ANPI and Dr. Koshro Nikzat was presented during a city council meeting. Claudia Carli (PD) introduced the motion, citing the regime’s use of mass executions as a method to suppress dissent and instill fear. “Crimes against humanity have reached a chilling figure of 800 executions in 2023 alone. It is vital for Cuneo, a city of freedom and resistance, to show its solidarity with the Iranian people,” Carli stated.
The council members voiced unanimous support for the resolution, with Stefania D’Ulisse condemning the death penalty as an inhumane punishment disproportionately affecting women and minors. “This practice is a violation of the right to life and fails as a deterrent,” she remarked.
Antonino Pittari praised the strength of the Iranian Resistance, emphasizing the need for Western nations to take decisive actions to isolate the Iranian regime. “The Iranian Resistance is active and determined but cannot bring about change alone. Western intervention is essential,” Pittari said.
Cuneo sostiene i ribelli iraniani contro il regime dell'Ayatollah: "Esecuzioni criminali, l'Occidente deve agire" https://t.co/f02STGAsTS
— TargatoCN (@TargatoCN) November 26, 2024
Council members from minority factions echoed the majority’s sentiments. Ugo Sturlese highlighted the broader implications of normalizing capital punishment, describing it as a preparatory tool for violence and war. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Boselli denounced the regime’s criminal misuse of state power, calling the mass executions a deliberate political weapon.
Claudio Bongiovanni brought attention to the role of women in bridging divides within the resistance. “Women, the primary victims of this regime’s brutality, are at the forefront of efforts to unify the opposition,” he asserted. Franco Civallero underscored the regime’s lack of justice and called for international measures to weaken Tehran’s grip, including economic restrictions.
Cuneo’s Mayor Patrizia Manassero concluded the discussions by reiterating the city’s commitment to supporting the Iranian Resistance. “The Ayatollah regime thrives on religious dictatorship, worsening the oppression of youth and women. Cuneo, with its deep cultural and historical ties to resistance, must continue to stand for freedom,” she declared.
On May 7, the governor and 22 mayors of Italy’s Piedmont region gathered in the city of Cuneo, supporting the #IranRevolution and @iran_policy. They declared their utter support of Mrs. @Maryam_Rajavi and her ten-point plan for the future of Iran. pic.twitter.com/wQI6bHHNE2
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 11, 2023
Manassero also pointed out the complex geopolitical factors at play, emphasizing the necessity of reflection and global dialogue. “Cuneo’s DNA is rooted in resistance and freedom. Supporting the Iranian Resistance is not just a moral obligation but a deliberate and necessary act,” she concluded.
Cuneo’s ties to the Iranian Resistance date back to 2008, when the city established a symbolic sister-city relationship with Ashraf City, Iraq, a hub of the Iranian opposition movement. In light of these enduring ties, the council expressed its solidarity with the Iranian people and reiterated its support for Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and her Ten-Point Plan advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in a democratic Iran.
