A significant cross-party group of 560 UK parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords has issued a strong declaration, expressing profound concern over the escalating human rights crisis in Iran and calling for international recognition of the Iranian people’s right to regime change. The statement, dated February 2025, includes 230 members of the House of Commons and 330 members of the House of Lords, and underscores robust support for the Iranian Resistance’s democratic platform as the path towards a free and democratic Iran.
The declaration highlights a deeply troubling human rights situation in Iran, with at least 1,000 executions carried out by the Iranian regime in 2024, including 34 women. The “Hijab and Chastity Law” is condemned as a tool designed not only to enforce mandatory hijab but also to impose comprehensive police control over society. This oppressive policy stands in stark contrast to the democratic opposition’s platform, which champions “No to compulsory hijab, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory rule,” alongside their “No to Executions” campaign.
A critical concern raised is the sentencing to death in late 2024 of nine political prisoners for alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). The statement also notes the regime’s failure to halt the momentum of popular protests and the PMOI-led Resistance Units, despite increased repression and executions.
A landmark joint statement by 560 UK lawmakers—incl. 230 from the Commons majority & 330 Lords—raises deep concern over Iran’s dire situation. A powerful show of cross-party support for democracy & human rights in Iran.#FreeIran2025 #en_simayazadi pic.twitter.com/thVzTFMLCv
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) May 19, 2025
A Vulnerable Regime: Proxy Control and Internal Weakness
The parliamentarians assert that a core element of the Iranian regime’s survival strategy involves reliance on proxy groups and dominance over regional countries. However, they observe that the collapse of Hezbollah’s influence and the rapid downfall of the Syrian dictator have significantly weakened the regime. The Syrian experience, they argue, has demonstrated that regimes like the mullahs and Assad are vulnerable to collapse, contrary to their propaganda. The statement unequivocally warns that appeasing and investing in these regimes not only violates democratic values but is also politically and economically detrimental.
The declaration underscores that supporting the Iranian people, who are actively seeking regime change, is both the right policy and a moral imperative. It states that the Iranian people and their organized resistance must be central to any principled policy concerning Iran. The widespread rejection of all forms of dictatorship – monarchical or theocratic – by the Iranian people during the 2022 uprising, and their demand for a democratic republic, reinforced by a complete boycott of the presidential election sham, are cited as evidence of their resolve.
Given the regime’s complete blockade of all avenues for political activity, the signatories affirm the Iranian people’s right to regime change and the right of Resistance Units to fight the IRGC. They explicitly call for the IRGC to be designated as a terrorist organization.
A privilege to join current & former parliamentarians for this weekend's #FreeIran2025 Conference hosted by President Elect @Maryam_Rajavi. Inspiring to hear the commitment of @iran_policy to restore freedom & #Liberal democracy to #Iran #TenPointPlan #IranProtests #Paris2025 🕊 https://t.co/4TIZVdZYhz pic.twitter.com/JCJuAdSghs
— William Powell🔶🏴 (@WmPowell2021) May 18, 2025
The Democratic Path Forward
The Iranian opposition, with its democratic platform and the Ten-Point Plan proposed by the NCRI President-elect Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, calls for national solidarity and provides a roadmap to end the religious dictatorship and transfer sovereignty to the people’s representatives. This comprehensive vision offers the prospect of a democratic Iran and lasting peace in the region. It embodies fundamental demands such as the separation of religion and state and gender equality.
The statement highlights the significant international endorsement of this plan, noting that in June 2024, more than 4,000 parliamentarians from across the political spectrum and over 100 former leaders issued statements supporting it. The UK parliamentarians urge all governments to support this vital plan.