On May 31, 2025, at the second session of the 2025 Free Iran conference, former Norwegian MP and longtime advocate Lars Rise delivered a powerful address underscoring the global political shift in support of the Iranian Resistance. Rise, President of the Friends of a Free Iran Committee in the Nordic countries, shared the significant momentum building within democratic parliaments across Europe and North America.
He highlighted the growing international consensus behind Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a democratic Iran, referencing bipartisan U.S. House Resolution 166, endorsed by a majority of Congress, and similar parliamentary declarations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Rise praised lawmakers who have broken with official government appeasement policies, calling them the true conscience of democracy.
Rise also issued a warning regarding the safety of MEK members at Ashraf 3 in Albania, urging the U.S. and Albanian governments to fully implement protections outlined in international conventions. He drew a powerful comparison between Iran’s resistance and his own family’s role in Norway’s World War II resistance movement, commending the unwavering courage of those in Ashraf 3.
Excerpt of Lars Rise’s speech follows. Portions have been lightly edited for clarity.
NÅ!
Et flertall på @Stortinget støtter kampen for et fritt Iran!
På «Free Iran 2025» konferansen i Paris kunngjorde en norsk delegasjon, bestående av @olaelvestuen, @larsrise og @rasmusjmh, at et flertall i Stortinget stiller seg bak den iranske motstandsbevegelsen og folkets… https://t.co/BaqnOPTKHq pic.twitter.com/Z9xGr9oNgq
— Unge norsk-iranere for demokrati (@UNID_) May 31, 2025
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and esteemed colleagues,
Madam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran,
Today, I am honored to stand here and share with you the unprecedented international consensus emerging among lawmakers from several countries. This growing movement supports the thousands of Resistance Units inside Iran and the Ten-Point Plan for Iran’s democratic future presented by Mrs. Rajavi.
In recent weeks, you’ve heard about U.S. House Resolution 166 — a bipartisan resolution supported by 225 members of Congress, a majority of the House of Representatives. Similarly, we have seen an endorsement of a comparable statement by 570 British lawmakers, including a majority of the House of Commons, and a majority in the Irish Senate.
Today, I’m proud to announce new declarations from parliamentarians in other countries. These lawmakers represent the awakened conscience of the international community. They stand in opposition to the failed and destructive policy of appeasement toward Iran’s dictatorship — a policy, regrettably, still pursued by some democratic governments and vested interests in the West.
It often takes real courage to go against the instructions of your foreign ministry, or even your own political party. That’s why I deeply admire these principled legislators. They have chosen to stand alongside the Iranian people.
Their actions have built a noble bridge of humanity and democracy between our nations and one of the world’s oldest civilizations — Iran. To each of my colleagues, I offer heartfelt congratulations. You are the true conscience of the democratic world. While others appease dictatorships, you defend democracy and human rights.
.@larsrise: There is no resistance leader more influential than @Maryam_Rajavi. She is the one to lead Iran to freedom. Grateful to all my colleagues shaping history with courage and conviction.#NCRIAlternative
https://t.co/xLFXIJpSNh— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 31, 2025
To our friends in Ashraf 3, I send sincere greetings. I look forward to seeing you again soon. This summer marks 20 years since my first visit to Ashraf in Iraq — an unforgettable experience.
Unfortunately, today in Albania, the protection of MEK members in Ashraf 3 is insufficient.
Think about this: some of our friends in Ashraf have been active in the resistance for over 50 years. In Norway, our resistance movement against Nazi occupation lasted five years. Imagine the perseverance required to fight for 50 years. It is extraordinary.
Let us hope the U.S. government follows through on the commitments in Resolution 166 and resists any influence from the Iranian dictatorship.
We’ve too often seen how the regime manipulates Western governments into weak positions. We must remain vigilant. Let us hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail.
Thank you.