On Saturday, August 17, a conference was held near Paris to commemorate the anniversary of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran. The event featured Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, and Professor Rita Süssmuth, former President of the German Bundestag and former Federal Minister for Youth, Family, Women, and Health. The conference brought together several notable German and European figures, as well as representatives from Iranian communities, who spoke on the significance of the massacre and the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights in Iran.
The conference was particularly poignant as it coincided with the 36th anniversary of the massacre, during which over 30,000 political prisoners were executed in Iran, most of whom were members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). This event remains a dark chapter in Iran’s history and a symbol of the regime’s severe repression of political dissent.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi opened the conference by honoring Professor Rita Süssmuth for her steadfast support of the Iranian resistance and the struggle for freedom. “During the 1988 massacre,” Rajavi recalled, “Ms. Süssmuth, in her capacity as the Speaker of the Bundestag, was the most significant voice of protest in the Western world against the massacre in Iran.” She highlighted how, even at a time when many world leaders remained silent on the atrocities committed by the Iranian regime, Süssmuth used her position to condemn the actions and support the Iranian people’s fight for justice.
Rajavi also addressed the recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur Javaid Rehman, which described the 1988 massacre as “genocide” and “a crime against humanity.” She called for an independent investigation into these crimes and urged the international community to take decisive action against the Iranian regime.
The conference today coincides with the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988, over 90% of whom were members of the PMOI. They were hanged for standing firm in their fight for freedom. This constitutes the most serious crime attributed to this movement and its members by… pic.twitter.com/bfaLYA4sLx
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) August 17, 2024
“It is now up to governments and the United Nations to prioritize the continuation of criminal investigations to issue arrest warrants and pursue prosecution against the regime’s leaders for committing ‘atrocity crimes,’ namely genocide and crimes against humanity,” Rajavi emphasized. She also criticized the regime’s continued efforts to discredit the resistance movement through false accusations and a disinformation campaign, noting that these tactics only serve to highlight the regime’s desperation and fear of being overthrown.
Professor Rita Süssmuth, in her speech, reflected on the significance of the 1988 massacre and the importance of remembering the victims. She described the massacre as a symbol of the long history of oppression in Iran and praised the resilience and strength of the Iranian Resistance, particularly the women who have been at the forefront of the struggle for freedom and democracy. “We do not give up; we stand firm,” she declared. “I have learned from the people in Ashraf [3] what perseverance is, what resistance means. We will not be discouraged. The women I see today are filled with energy and determination. We can learn courage, and we can become stronger in resistance.”
Dr. Süssmuth also condemned the policy of appeasement towards the Iranian regime and its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, highlighting the need for a stronger international stance against the regime’s actions. She argued that the West had been too slow to recognize the true nature of the Iranian regime and its intentions, which has allowed the regime to continue its oppressive tactics unchecked. “In Germany, it took a long time for developments in Iran to even become a topic. We thought we had to deal with the Iranian regime cautiously to prevent them from acquiring a nuclear bomb,” she said. “This was naive because they already had crucial elements for this bomb long before, and we still thought we could prevent it.”
In stark contrast to the regime's propaganda and proponents of appeasement, dear Ms. Süssmuth, you and the German friends of the Iranian people's Resistance, have stood firm against the demonization of the Iranian Resistance orchestrated by the regime and its allies.
By rejecting… pic.twitter.com/RQyWQpWqSi— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) August 17, 2024
Prof. Christoph Degenhart, a distinguished legal scholar, emphasized the importance of confronting misinformation against the Iranian Resistance. He highlighted the removal of the PMOI from Germany’s intelligence surveillance lists as a crucial step in supporting the resistance. Degenhart stressed that the Iranian regime’s disinformation campaigns must be countered with truth and justice, underscoring the significance of ensuring the rights of the Iranian people are upheld. He also praised Professor Süssmuth for her unwavering support for the rights of the Iranian people and her dedication to justice and freedom.
Former Dutch MEP Dorien Rookmaker spoke passionately about the need for Western politicians to speak out against the Iranian regime’s atrocities. She criticized the ongoing policies of appeasement and stressed that actions speak louder than words in the fight against the regime’s human rights violations. “It is clear for everybody to see who we are dealing with,” Rookmaker said, emphasizing that the regime’s actions reveal its true nature as a brutal oppressor of its own people. She expressed her admiration for the courage and perseverance of the Iranian people and their resistance, urging more international support for their cause.
Mrs @Maryam_Rajavi and Frau Dr.Professor Rita Süssmuth are two women politicians we can all learn from. Both are intelligent committed courages people that know honesty, courage and a good heart in combination with perseverance are features all politicians should look for within… https://t.co/LG0cAZ2XJW
— Dorien Rookmaker (@RookmakerDorien) August 17, 2024
Marion Böker, former President of the International Alliance of Women, also addressed the conference, speaking about the significant role of women in the Iranian Resistance. She emphasized that the oppression of women in Iran has only strengthened their resolve to fight back, citing examples from various regions where women are leading movements for change. Mrs. Böker praised Professor Süssmuth for being a strong advocate for women’s rights and for her contributions to the global struggle for equality and justice. “Women have shown that they are not only the force of change but also the builders of the future,” she noted, echoing Süssmuth’s earlier remarks about the role of women in shaping a better world.
Former German MEP Helmut Geuking highlighted the lack of decisive action among European politicians regarding the Iranian regime. He condemned the economic dealings with the regime, calling them “businesses with death,” and stressed the importance of standing firm against the regime’s human rights abuses. Mr. Geuking praised Professor Süssmuth’s dedication to human rights and democratic values, stating that her leadership serves as a beacon in the fight against tyranny. He underscored the need for European leaders to reject appeasement and take a stronger stance in support of the Iranian people.
