Human Rights Violations Will Prove Fatal to Iran Regime

By NCRI Staff

NCRI - The Iranian Regime is a ticking time bomb and ever-present protests from the Iranian people are just speeding up the countdown, according to a human rights activist.

Heshmat Alavi wrote an op-ed on the plight of Iranian political prisoners on hunger strike for Forbes in which he identified human rights as the Regime’s Achilles Heel.

Their complete disregard for the rights of the Iranian people will prove their downfall, more so than the nuclear weapons programme or their meddling in the Middle East.

The supposed moderate, President Hassan Rouhani, who pledged to improve human rights (both in the 2013 and 2017 Presidential campaigns) allowed over 100 executions in July alone. During his first term, he had nearly 4,000 people executed.

Hunger Strike

In late July, dozens of political prisoners (mostly supporters of the Iranian opposition People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)) were forced to move to a new section in Gohardasht (Raja’i Shahr) prison, in Karaj, west of Tehran, where conditions were described as “suffocating” by Amnesty International.

Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director for Amnesty International, said: “The horrendous conditions at Raja’i Shahr prison point to a pattern of cruel and inhumane treatment that has repeatedly characterized Iran’s ruthless attitude to prisoners in its custody.”

They are deprived of:

• clean, drinking water; even the water purification devices that prisoners purchased at their own expense have been confiscated

• food

• adequate beds

• fresh air and sunlight, with metal sheets covering the windows

• contact with family members

• privacy, with CCTV and listening devices in all areas including bathrooms

Alavi wrote: “Such situations leave no conclusion possible other than the authorities’ intention to completely cut off these political prisoners from the outside world. Officials also seek to restrict, to any extent possible, any information leak regarding their regular ordeals in Raja’i Shahr.”

As a result, 22 prisoners are now on hunger strike. Some of the hunger strikers were forced into solitary confinement as punishment for their peaceful protest.

Many of the hunger strikers desperately require medical treatment in hospital but the prison warden is refusing to authorise such transfers.

Still the hunger strikers will not give up and they are indeed being joined by other political prisoners around Iran.

Alavi wrote: “Iranian authorities have human rights commitments they are obligated to live up to. Yet detaining prisoners of conscience by the dozens following completely unfair trials is this regime’s response in honouring these commitments.”

He concluded: “This case brings to light how these protest acts, such as hunger strikes launched by political prisoners inside the regime’s own jails and rallies witnessed across the country, enjoy important influence. The ruling elite in Tehran continues to seek effective measures to counter such movements.”

Risky Business With Iran Regime

NCRI - US President Donald Trump recently signed a bill named “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act”, or the CAATSA. The subsequent attention drawn to it by the media and public focused on objections to the sanctions that effect Russia.

Very little attention, however, was drawn to one of the provisions that could have serious consequences for American company Boeing. If the company completes the sale of dozens of aircraft to Iran, it could create serious legal liability for itself.

Iran is one of the worst terrorist states in the world, but Boeing has attempted to justify the deal it made for the sale of aircraft by saying that the government of the United States has certified that Iran is sticking to its end of the nuclear deal.

President Trump has criticised his predecessor’s treatment of Iran and with good reason. Former President Obama’s policy of appeasement with the hope of bringing moderation to the regime was a complete failure which just gave the Iranian regime free reign to spread terror even further across the region.

The Trump administration really needs to use the CAATSA to put an end to Iran’s belligerence. There is no denying that Iran is heavily involved in terrorist activities and the involvement of the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is obvious. The CAATSA now means that the IRGC will be listed as a SDGT (Specially Designated Global Terrorist) organisation.

Because of this, any US companies doing business with the IRGC and its Qods Force will be carrying out a criminal act.

This is how Boeing could be severely affected by the CAATSA. The Boeing deal is with Aseman Airlines and its CEO is Hossein Alaei. Alaei has been a high up member of the IRGC for decades.

It is also known that the Iranian regime uses commercial flights for purposes linked to its terrorist activities (i.e. sending supplies, military personnel, arms, etc. to warzones). In the past few years alone, the US imposed several sanctions on Mahan Air because it was transporting members of the IRGC to and from Syria and was also sending weapons for the Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad’s forces. It was also found to be sending weapons to the notorious Lebanese Hezbollah group.

It is time for the international community, including companies like Boeing, as well as foreign governments, to realise that terrorism has made its way through so much of the Iranian government and its major companies that it is not worth the risk to bring business or investment to the Islamic Republic for as long as the situation continues like this.

IRAN: More Than 20 Political Prisoners in Grave Danger in Gohardasht Prison After More Than 30 Days of Hunger Strike

By NCRI Staff

NCRI - Over the past few weeks, political prisoners in Iran’s Gohardasht Prison have been protesting against the intensified suppressive measures in the facility. The inmates’ hunger strike has garnered wide support by political prisoners throughout the country.

In recent months some of the prisoners had smuggled out letters describing the inhuman conditions at different prisons. Some called for justice for the families of political prisoners executed by the Iranian regime, including the 30,000 victims of the 1988 massacre. The regime has responded with further crackdowns.

In late July, political prisoners in Ward 4, Hall 12 of Gohardasht Prions were transferred to unbearable conditions in Hall 10, which is completely isolated and constantly monitored by 40 closed circuit cameras and 64 listening devices. All windows are sealed with metal plates, preventing any ventilation, and the hall lacks clean running water,
Prisoners had previously stated that if the transfer went ahead they would go on hunger strike, but on Sunday, July 30, more than 50 individuals were forcibly transferred. They were not allowed to take personal belongings, including medicine.

There are currently about 25 prisoners on hunger strike demanding their return to Hall 12 and the return of all personal belongings.

After four weeks, the physical condition of many participants has become seriously dangerous. They can barely walk and are suffering from heart, lung, and kidney ailments while being deprived of all medicine.

Abbas Jafari- Dolatabadi, the Prosecutor General of Tehran, who is currently on the EU sanctions list for gross and pervasive violations of human rights, said on August 23, "We say to some prisoners who go on hunger strike and make other threats that these actions have failed, and the judiciary will not surrender."

His remarks highlight the regime’s lack of respect for the minimum rights of prisoners, while also hinting at further threats. Nonetheless, other prisoners have declared their solidarity or joined the hunger strike.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran has expressed grave concern over the health and security of political prisoners on hunger strike. It has been calling on all international human rights organizations, especially the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur of Human Rights in Iran, and the Special Rapporteur on Torture to take urgent action to save their lives.

Supporters of the resistance have shown support with worldwide rallies and their own symbolic hunger strikes.

On August 23, Amnesty International issued a statement regarding “Mass hunger strike by political prisoners in protest at inhumane conditions. Amnesty International’ s Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director said: “By detaining dozens of prisoners of conscience after grossly unfair trials the Iranian authorities are already shamelessly flouting their human rights obligations. These are people who shouldn’t even be behind bars in the first place, yet instead of being released from custody they are being punished further by being held in appalling conditions.”

Governments and international organizations should intervene in defense of the political prisoners and their legitimate demands before it is too late.

OPINION: COUPLE US SANCTIONS WITH MIDDLE EAST EXPULSION OF IRAN

by Shahriar Kia

Riyadh Daily, 16 August 2017 - The Iranian regime is attempting to secure a corridor through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, providing a supply route for its numerous terrorist proxies in the region.Iran’s clandestine nuclear and ballistic missile drive, support for terrorism and domestic crackdown are all aimed at maintaining the Tehran’s fascist mullahs in power and pursue their regional policies.

This notorious objective, in direct conflict with those of the regional and global coalitions to fight terrorism and extremism, can be stopped. Eviction of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and all its proxy forces from the Middle East must complete the new US Congress sanctions. With President Donald Trump signaling his approval, this first and foremost step should be taken with hesitation following the sanctions.

The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to rally major new sanctions on Iran, parallel to measures on North Korea and Russia. To impose additional sanctions on Iran’s defense sector, the House voted 419-3. Coming after three weeks of negotiations, this bill “tightens the screws on our most dangerous adversaries,” explained House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Maryam Rajavi , the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran ( NCRI ), welcomed the adoption of a bill by both chambers of the US Congress which imposes new sanctions on the Iranian regime for violating human rights and pursuing ballistic missiles.

“Since several years ago, the Iranian Resistance had urged the terrorist designation of the IRGC, as it preserves the entirety of the clerical regime and acts as its main apparatus for domestic suppression and export of terrorism and fundamentalism,” she stressed. “However, the policy of appeasing the mullahs’ religious dictatorship paved the way for the IRGC and its proxies’ rampage in the entire region.”

A look back at the pivotal role Iran played in the rise and flourishing of ISIS, parallel to sectarian conflicts in the region, will help find the right tracks for security in the region.

In 2008, a joint campaign led by the U.S. military and Iraqi Sunnis rooted al-Qaeda in Iraq, the precursor to ISIS. However, the Obama administration’s decision to pull back and deliver the country to former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a close ally of the Iranian regime, eventually led to the unraveling of all previous achievements.

Maliki dismantled the Iraqi “Awakening Council” and gave Iran free pass to exert its full influence on Iraq’s political and military apparatus.

In tandem, the destruction and crimes committed by the IRGC and Bashar al-Assad regime against the Syrian people provided the perfect breeding ground for sectarian strife and allowed ISIS to occupy a wide swath of land straddling both countries.

The Iranian regime became the main beneficiary of the rampage caused by ISIS and subsequently used it as an excuse to expand its clout by forming and later legalizing the IRGC-equivalent Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). This entity has become notoriously renowned for its crimes against humanity, no less horrendous than those committed by ISIS.

Iran’s highest officials have time and again acknowledged funding and supporting the criminal militia forces in Iraq and Syria, expressing their vested interest in occupying neighboring countries through whatever means.

The Obama administration’s hands-off approach vis-à-vis Iran’s regional ambitions provided Tehran a far better opportunity to pursue its nefarious agendas under the pretext of fighting ISIS. Speculations raised U.S. officials on possible cooperation with Iran in the fight against terrorism only made matters worse.

Now, as ISIS is losing influence and ground, Iran is attempting to fill the gap. Letting it have its way would be a recipe for disaster, as proven in the past eight years.

Despite the threats and taunts broadcasted regularly Iran’s state media, the regime is far from capable or inclined to enter open warfare with any other state in the region or across the globe.

Tehran’s proxies are only as good as the funding and supplies the regime provides. Without IRGC support Iran’s proxies will be hard-pressed to spread their mayhem in the region.

Sanctions alone, however, will not be enough. Tehran has found ways to continue causing mischief under the toughest sanctions regime.

The threats rendered by Tehran will only end with regime change in Iran. This will initially benefit the people of Iran, being the first victims of this regime’s criminal ideology, and categorically reject its destructive foreign policy, both inside the country and abroad.

One of the greatest manifestations of the Iranian people’s desire for change was expressed at the July 1st Free Iran gathering in Paris. Tens of thousands of Iranian expats as well as politicians, activists and religious figures from across the world attended the rally to express their solidarity and support for the cause of freedom and democracy in Iran. The event had a clear message: regime change in Iran is the only viable solution for both the people of Iran and the region’s nations. There’s no need for another foreign conflict.
The people of Iran and their organized resistance have the will, power and means necessary to realize this change.

Saudi Prince 'Turki Al Faisal' also addressed the massive gathering. “So, you have coming together now a mighty coalition of forces, joining with the Resistance, and that should give us hope that we can make that [regime] change,” he stressed.

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Shahriar Kia is an Iranian dissident and a political analyst on Iran and the Middle East. He is a member of the Iranian opposition and a graduate of North Texas University.

IRAN: Protesters Demand Their Deposits From IRGC-Affiliated Credit Institution

NCRI - Hundreds of people who have not been able to withdraw their deposits from Caspian credit institution staged a protest gathering outside the regime’s judiciary office in the capital, Tehran, chanting angry slogans, on Sunday, August 20.

The protesters were shouting “Death to Seif”, referring to the Central Bank governor, Valiollah Seif.

During recent months, there have been many similar protests against Caspian credit institution in other cities, as well.

On Sunday, protestors also gathered outside a branch of the institution in city of Neyshabur in northeastern Iran.
Similar protest also held on Saturday, 19 August, in city of Rasht.

The defunct IRGC backed Caspian Credit Institute, founded in 1990s claiming to be a local low-interest-rate loan fund, attracted thousands of investors by paying higher interest rates but later failed to fulfil its promises.

There are hundreds of similar funds are active across Iran but the regime has failed to regulate them.

The foremost demand of the protesters is to take back their money siphoned off by the IRGC-aligned institution.

Many people across the country had trusted Caspian credit institution enough to decide to invest there, as its name had been listed in Central Bank’s official website as an authorized institution. Therefore, investors say that they can no longer trust the Central Bank.

Maryam Rajavi Calls for International Commission of Inquiry to Prosecute Perpetrators of This Horrendous Crime

The 29th anniversary of the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran was observed in a ceremony in the presence of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, political and human rights dignitaries from the US and Europe, and a large number of PMOI members in Tirana, capital of Albania.

The Iranian Resistance’s President-elect Maryam Rajavi pointed in her remarks to the expansion of the movement calling for justice for the victims of the 1988 massacre among Iranians as well as human rights advocates from around the world. She urged the UN Human Rights Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to launch an international commission of inquiry to investigate this horrendous crime. She called on the UN Security Council to refer this dossier to the International Criminal Court or a special court to prosecute the perpetrators of this crime against humanity, criminals who are presently among the leaders of the clerical regime.

Mrs. Rajavi emphasized, “How the international community approaches this genocide and this crime against humanity is a litmus test of its adherence to the principles of human rights. The prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators and masterminds of the 1988 massacre are the inalienable rights of human society, the people of Iran, and the PMOI (MEK).

Mrs. Rajavi described the admissions to this crime by the clerical regime officials – made in reaction to the campaign calling for justice over the 1988 massacre - as being among the most important evidences incriminating the regime’s leaders.

A number of political and human rights personalities addressed this ceremony, including Ms. Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the late Senator Robert Kennedy and President of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation; Mr. Mariano Rabino, member of the foreign affairs and human rights committees of the Parliament of Italy; Senator Pietro Liuzzi, member of the cultural and EU policy committees of the Italian Senate; Ms. Ingrid Betancourt, former senator from Columbia; and Mr. Tahar Boumedra, former director of the Human Rights Office of UNAMI.

Mrs. Rajavi said the growth and expansion of the campaign calling for justice dealt a major blow to the mullahs’ religious dictatorship. She said, “This movement made the regime to break its three decades of silence and try to justify this massive slaughter. A number of the regime’s most disgraced murderers tried to defend the massacre. This campaign also defeated Khamenei's major political investment in Ebrahim Raisi, a member of the Death Commission in the 1988 massacre, to become president.”

Maryam Rajavi also noted Rouhani’s choice of Justice Ministers. “In his first term, Hassan Rouhani appointed Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi, a member of the Death Commission in Tehran, as his Justice Minister. Now, in his second term, he has nominated as Minister of Justice another perpetrator of the massacre in Khuzistan Province. The European Union has already designated and sanctioned this man, Alireza Avaie, for being directly involved in violations of human rights.”

The Iranian Resistance’s President-elect announced the publication of a new edition of the book titled, Crime against Humanity, which includes the names and particulars of more than 5,000 PMOI martyrs as well as the pictures of hundreds of victims and their graves.

She said, “Owing to the valuable year-round activities of the Resistance’s network inside Iran, in addition to the names and addresses of the graves of the victims, we also have the names of 113 members of the Death Commissions in Tehran and other provinces, nearly all of whom hold key positions in the regime. We also have the names and particulars of 213 criminals who carried out the death decrees in 35 cities as well as information about the locations of several mass graves that had been previously hidden.”

Ms. Kerry Kennedy said: “You are trying to bring back to Iran a government that is based on humanity, not on suffering and oppression, but on compassion and love for one another. And in that, all the world is with you. And I am proud to stand here with you, today. We are here today because we believe in freedom and we stand in solidarity with the people of Iran. We stand against the mullahs who have caused untold terror in your beloved country… The mullahs denied the people of Iran the pride of their extraordinary heritage, a heritage admired across the globe. Iran must be free… (Iran) wrote the first human rights charter some 2500 years ago…”

In parts of his speech to the gathering, Senator Pietro Liuzzi said, “The religious dictatorship ruling Iran is doing its best to destroy the PMOI and the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Over the past years, they have tried every scheme to destroy members of the Iranian Resistance. This shows very well that you are its main enemies. This is why the PMOI members’ safe relocation as an intact organization from Iraq and their settlement in Albania has been the greatest blow to the regime.”

“This is not a new policy or Iran. In the summer of 1988, in less than a few weeks, they executed more than 30,000 prisoners. The majority of the victims were from members and affiliates of the PMOI. This was a crime against humanity. One of the several greatest crimes in the contemporary history of mankind. None of those murderers involved in the massacre were ever prosecuted. They did not face justice. Some of the criminals are among the highest officials of the regime.”

“I would like to thank Mrs. Maryam Rajavi for launching this call for justice campaign and for leading this great international campaign. I hope that these activities would soothe the scars of the families of these 30,000 martyrs most of who have been buried in mass graves.”

“The Iranian regime has always been trying to actively destabilize the region. It supports terrorist organizations. Proxy militias play this role for the Iranian regime. It was for this cruel role that the IRGC (Revolutionary Guards) was rightly designated as a terrorist entity [by the U.S.]. Europe must also do the same.”

Mariano Rabino said: “Due to international pressure, Rouhani was compelled to replace Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi with Alireza Avaie, another member of the Death Committee, who was responsible for the murder of many individuals including scores who were juveniles. As previous speakers pointed out, our governments and the EU should give priority to human rights in its dealings with Iran. No realpolitik consideration or business interest should take precedent to human rights. All of us, all human rights advocates, and all those who seek freedom and democracy should urge the UN to provide a factual and documented report on the 1988 massacre. Khamenei, Rouhani and all the regime’s senior officials who were implicated in the 1988 massacre should be brought to justice before the international court in The Hague.”

“All Western governments share the blame, all of them have procrastinated. But eventually a movement has begun and things are moving. In Italy, a majority members of the parliament signed a petition in June, condemning the 1988 massacre and demanding that the masterminds and perpetrators of this massacre be brought to justice.”

“Scores of dictatorial regimes in contemporary history committed crimes against humanity. They enjoyed impunity for a while, but this is the time for awakening. From Nuremberg, to The Hague, to the courts pertaining to the former Yugoslavia, to the trials of crimes against humanity that took place in Africa, Asia, and in America, the dictators and criminals were eventually brought to justice. They had to face the fact findings that were pursued by the international community and by the people of those countries. Now, the time has come for the criminals in Iran.”

Senator Ingrid Betancourt said: “Twenty-nine years ago, Khomeini came with a fatwa that was only comparable to the final solution Hitler enacted years before during World War II. This was the starting chapter of the most cruel years in the history of the people of Iran. And 30,000 people were killed without any legal support... The very frightening part of this story is that we have all the information, all the names, all the documents, the proofs; we have the witnesses; we have the survivors, you. We have the testimonies; we even have the confessions of those who perpetrated those crimes. We have it all but we still have impunity."

Ms. Betancourt added: “In history, the wrong is only turned into good through justice. If there is no justice, the wrong is still active, the suffering is still active, the pain and the wounds are still open. Today, the criminals that perpetrated those crimes are in highest positions in the government in Iran. They are high officials of the regime... If we are silent, we become accomplice of the crime...

“We need to ask the UN to play its role. We need to ask the High Commissioner for Human Rights to begin an independent inquiry to investigate what we know... Khomeini is gone but those who are alive today have to go on trial in an international court; and we will not have any rest until this is achieved.”

Mr. Taher Boumedra, former director of the Human Rights Office of the United Nations in Iraq, said, “The law is on our side. We will send the fear that you used to suffer from in Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty, the persecution you suffered from, it has to change camps, has to go to Tehran. So, those people who committed those crimes, they must now start to fear, the fear that you used to have in Ashraf and Liberty. That will start from now when the negotiation teams will travel abroad. They cannot just travel without being previously arranging their immunity. Their travel abroad with impunity will come to the end. But I do not want to forget those who were assassinated in Ashraf and in Liberty. Those assassins have to be held accountable as well. So, although our focus today is on the crimes of 1988, we must also focus on the blood that was shed in total impunity in Iraq. So, I hope that we will be able to extend our mandate JVMI (Justice for the Victims of the 1988 Massacre in Iran) to cover also the crimes committed in Ashraf and Liberty. And we also need to work very hard to bring those who committed these crimes to justice. It is feasible; it is reachable and we must do it.”

The ceremony commemorating the 30,000 political prisoners massacred in 1988 also featured inspiring artistic and theatrical performances.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
August 20, 2017

A Look at Iran's Hospitals and Quality of Their Services

NCRI - As part of each country’s infrastructures, hospitals and quality of their services indicate in some ways how developed each country and its healthcare services are. In Iran, however, hospitals and the quality of their services are in a horrible state, a fact acknowledged by regime’s own officials as well.

A serious problem in this regard is related to hospital buildings. Many of Iran’s hospital buildings have fallen into disrepair, so much so that in some cases there’s a danger of them collapsing so that it would be quite unsafe to stay inside. The situation is so terrible that even regime officials and media are forced to acknowledge parts of this reality.

“Many hospitals built over the past years lack even the basic structural design requirements. Many of them were not supposed to be hospitals, but are now used for presenting healthcare services. Well, it’s no surprise to see them lacking even the least engineering standards for hospitals”, confesses Amir Saki, Construction Manager in Rouhani’s Healthcare Ministry, in his interview with state TV last month

Also in this regard, a member of regime Parliament’s Social Committee ‘Mohammad Vahdati’ pointed out in his interview with Parliament’s news agency that many of country’s healthcare centers and hospitals have reached the end of their useful life years ago, adding “unfortunately, most hospitals are dilapidated and their renovation is an absolute necessity. Besides, such healthcare centers lack the necessary safety measures.” (Parliament’s news agency, June 28, 2017)

Earlier, regime’s Deputy Healthcare Minister ‘Mohammad Aghajani’ had said “60 percent of our hospitals are in a state of disrepair, which should be regarded as a serious threat.”

The critical conditions of Iran’s dilapidated hospitals are despite the fact that Iran is a natural-disaster-prone country, with more than 90 percent of its population being subject to earthquake and widespread flooding.

Regime’s Health Minsiter ‘Seyed-Hassan Ghazizadeh-Hashemi’ recently acknowledged that the capital’s hospitals are not resistant to earthquake. While confirming the minister’s remarks, Homayoun Hashemi, member of Parliament’s Healthcare Committee, pointed out that the studies show that many public hospitals date back to 1950’s and 60’s, adding “renovation of such hospitals must be put on the agenda as soon as possible. Besides, many of such hospitals need to be completely wrecked and rebuilt.” (Parliament’s news agency, August 14, 2017)
In addition to dilapidated hospitals, the conditions of hospital beds are also not appropriate, so that many of them are out of service.

“We are short of 46 thousand hospital beds”, says Health Ministry’s Construction Manager ‘Amir Saki’, adding “and of the available beds, 50 thousand are out of service, meaning we need somewhat between 90 to 100 thousand hospital beds so we can replace the outdated ones and develop our healthcare services. (Regime’s Khabar TV network, July 14, 2017)

The average age of a hospital bed in developed countries, European ones for instance, is 7-10 years. In Iran however, with age of hospitals being 35 and higher, hospital beds are in such terrible conditions that even regime officials have been forced to acknowledge part of this mess. Currently, Iran is ranked among the lowest in the Middle East in terms of the number of hospital beds, with its situation being catastrophic even compared to such countries as Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

While Iranian patients have to spend their times of illness in such places, the mullahs’ regime is plundering country’s wealth, pouring them right into the pockets of regime leaders and officials or spending them over regime’s warmongering policies and exporting terrorism and reactionarism to regional countries.

Iran and Massacre of 30,000 MEK and Other Political Prisoners

By Jubin Katiraie

 #Iran Focus, August 4, 2017 - The US Senate voted almost unanimously last Thursday to impose new sanctions on #Iran. The legislation cracks down on #Iran’s activities including their missile development programs and human rights abuses. This is the first time that #Iran has been targeted for violation of Human Rights.

The Iranian regime massacred more than 30,000 political prisoners, most of whom were members and supporters of the main opposition group, (PMOI or MEK)

“Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of each person the Secretary determines,

A democratic alternative to the Iranian regime – 'Free Iran' rally highlights MEK's role in Iranian resistance

During the 'Free Iran' rally in Paris on July 1, the mood was festive and clearing upbeat, as speakers discussed the movement of MEK members from Iraq to Albania.

But many of the speakers and delegations also spoke of the real possibility of regime change in Iran, as they noted major changes on the international scene. Speaker after speaker from the United States pointed to the new policies of the Trump administration, while others acknowledged the Obama administration for its efforts to remove the MEK from the terrorist list.

Still, the highlight of the event was the keynote address by Maryam Rajavi, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) President-elect. She noted that there was an alternative to the current regime and its extremism.

MEK's Role in Iran and How It Can Help the Global Peace?

Iran Focus

London, 2 Jul - Experts and scholars, prior to participating in #FreeIran gathering, joined a panel discussion, held in Paris to discuss the current social-political situation in Iran and the role of the Iranian opposition (MEK) in this regards. The meeting was organized by the “Foundation for Middle East Studies (FEMO)”, and the “Alliance for Public Awareness, Iranian Communities in Europe(APA)”. The panel was moderated by Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield, former Assistant Secretary of State for Military Affairs, who was joined by Kenneth Blackwell, former US Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Linda Chavez, Founder and Chairwoman of the Center for Equal Opportunity and former White House Public Relations Liaison, Ramesh Sepehrrad, scholar practitioner from George Mason University in the US, Robert Torricelli, Member of the US Senate from 1997 to 2003 who also served 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Mohammed Alsulami, head of AGCIS and expert on Iran.