Every advocate of democracy and human rights throughout the world should keep a close eye on Iran as its people celebrate Chaharshanbe Suri and take their final steps toward Nowruz. With support from the international community, the Iranian people may finally achieve a new system of government that embraces not only democracy but also civil, political, religious and cultural liberty for Iranians of every demographic background.

Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan is the incoming executive director of the

The people of Iran, however, appreciate their rich history and embrace their diversity. Cultural celebrations are, therefore, frequently the subject of clashes between the government and its people. The regime’s backlash against these celebrations even rivals its backlash against explicitly political demonstrations. And sometimes the two areas of public interest converge.

This Tuesday marks Chaharshanbe Suri, the Persian Festival of Fire, which takes place just before the Iranian New Year celebration of Nowruz, which translates as “new day.” It involves massive public gatherings in which, among other things, celebrants jump over small fires as a symbol of purification. Year after year, the regime tries to prevent the festival’s gatherings because of the holiday’s pre-Islamic roots — but also to deny free assembly to Iranian citizens.


Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan is the incoming executive director of the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Baltimore. Follow him on Twitter @ProfSheehan.

Friday, February 9, 2018, a meeting was held in Auvers-sur-Oise entitled, Iranian people’s uprising, and international call for freedom of prisoners of the uprising. Maryam Rajavi and a number of European MPs from UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Malta, Lithuania, Switzerland and Poland participated. Addressing the participating MPs and personalities, Maryam Rajavi said:

MARYAM RAJAVI: EUROPE MUST END ITS SILENCE AND INACTION OVER IRANIAN REGIME’S CRIMES

Honorable representatives,
Distinguished guests,
Welcome to the home of the Iranian Resistance. I am glad to see you here and have the opportunity to discuss with you the changing circumstances in Iran. The conditions in Iran are constantly changing and I would like to focus on four issues, today. Then, I would be more than glad to hear your views. These four issues are:

- The uprising was a turning point in Iranian developments;
- Evaluation of the regime’s status in confronting the uprising;
- The role of the Iranian Resistance in the developments and guaranteeing stability, peace and security;
- And finally, the right Europe policy on Iran.

Before anything else, I urged the Council of Europe to help in the efforts to secure the release of those arrested in the recent uprising.

MARYAM RAJAVI IN A GATHERING OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE’S VARIOUS GROUPS: SUPPORT IRAN UPRISING

 Maryam Rajavi in a gathering of members of Council of Europe’s various groups: Support Iran Uprising
After participating and addressing official meetings EPP, UEL and ALDE groups at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Maryam Rajavi addressed a gathering of representatives from various political groups in the Council of Europe and prominent European personalities entitled, “Freedom of Prisoners of Uprising.” Maryam Rajavi said in her remarks:

Distinguished representatives,
Good evening,
Today, in meetings with various political groups of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, I explained about the current special circumstances in Iran.

Tehran has made every effort to suppress and destroy MEK since the advent of the Islamic Republic. The organization played a role in the 1979 revolution against the Shah, but opposed the establishment of absolute clerical rule. Since then, it has been a tireless advocate for regime change in favor of a democratic system.

Iran Regime’s Weakness and Its Fear From Pmoi/Mek Exposed During the Uprising

London, 18 Jan - At the beginning of 2018, Citing Iran's "state television", AFP reported that while making a clear allusion to the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), Rouhani told President Macron, "We criticize the fact that a group has a base in France and acts against the Iranian people and encourages violence. We expect the French government to act against this terrorist group ".

These remarks reflected above all the anxiety of the mullahs' regime in the face of the expansion of the uprising against the religious dictatorship and the growing popularity of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK).and the Iranian Resistance. Rouhani accused the MEK of violence, while the European Union, its member countries, as well as the United States, strongly criticized the Iranian regime for the repression of demonstrations, killing and seriously injuring many people and President Macron has expressed concern on the death of the protestors. To date, dozens of unarmed protesters have been killed by Revolutionary Guards and thousands more arrested.

As stated by Kasra Nejat in Columbia tribune, according to the opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), at least 8,000 people were detained within the first two weeks; the regime admits to approximately half this number. Its judiciary was quick to threaten death sentences for “those most responsible.”
There is little mystery about what sort of charges will be used to justify such killings; a wide range of political offenses can result in execution in the Islamic Republic, including membership in banned organizations and the crime of mohabareh, or “enmity against God.” In fact, the latter was codified in Iranian law largely for the purpose of establishing death as the default punishment for members of the leading opposition group, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK).

Proving once again how this administration is in far contrast with its predecessor, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley called for an emergency UN Security Council session to discuss the ongoing protests and Tehran’s crackdown.

MEK, Under the NCRI Umbrella, What Iran's Regime Is Actually Terrified Of

As the world strives to determine if these protests enjoy an organized nature, debating which party – if any – is behind this seemingly spontaneous movement, state-

backed media in Iran are claiming that the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin 

Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) has been shaping the ongoing protests from their very beginning.

London, 9 Jan - For nearly two weeks now protests are mushrooming across Iran and literally shaking the very pillars of the country’s ruling regime. 

Various discussions continue over the scope of these protests, their comparisons to the 2009 and 1999 uprising episodes, what should be expected from the international community and how to trek forward, amongst other subjects.

The Iranian regime is the largest state sponsor of terrorism and extremism in the world, posing a serious threat in the face of peace and security in the Middle East and across the globe.The shameful appeasement policy as well as the so-called “containment” policy of the West towards Iran (that has only furthered domestic crackdowns and increased extremism and terrorism — especially during the eight Obama years) has now come to an end. The current uprising in Iran proves the solution lies in regime change.

How to Kick Out the Ayatollahs in Iran

This is doable without foreign military action; it is only necessary to stand alongside the Iranian people and their organized resistance — and stop appeasing the mullahs.
The current uprising in Iran is not spontaneous. It is the result of 36 years of perseverance and resistance by a nation that has stood firm in the face of the inhuman conditions imposed by the religious and bloodthirsty dictatorship.

Since Ayatollah Khomeini took power in the Islamic Revolution of 1979, 120,000 Iranian have been executed by this regime. The Iranian people rose up against the Shah’s dictatorship, wanting to replace it with freedom and democracy. However, in the chaos, Khomeini was able to hijack the revolution.

The mullahs have since been able to maintain their rule through violent oppression. The international community’s silence and inaction in the face of Tehran’s crackdown against dissidents and meddling in other countries has played a key role in the regime’s survival.

The protests are growing in intensity and size every day and have now expanded to over 80 cities nationwide.

Iran protests: Here is what the US should do now

Iran protests: What you need to know
Anti-government demonstrations that erupted Thursday and have since spread across Iran represent the most serious challenge to the theocracy that has ruled the nation since seizing power in the 1979 revolution.

The U.S. government needs to support the protests with actions to put pressure on the repressive forces of the Iranian government. Such actions should include:

Most importantly, starting to build a relationship with the organized opposition that is seeking a free, secular, democratic and non-nuclear republic in Iran.