Friday, January 27, 2023
  • English
  • Français
  • فارسی
  • عربى
PODCASTS
NCRI Women Committee
  • Home
  • News
    • Women’s News
    • Articles
    • Statements
  • Publications
    • Monthlies
    • Documents
    • Reference Library
  • About Us
    • Women’s Committee of Iran NCRI
    • Gender Equality
    • Women’s Platform
  • Maryam Rajavi
    • Biography
    • Maryam Rajavi Speeches
    • Ten Point Plan for Iran
    • Ten Point Plan for Women
  • Vanguards
    • Fallen for Freedom
    • Heroines in Chain
    • Women of Iranian Resistance
    • Famous Women
    • Women in History
  • Events
    • IWD Conferences
    • IWD Speeches
    • Activities
    • Solidarity
  • Videos
    • Events
    • International Solidarity
    • International Women’s Day
    • NCRI Women’s Committee Presentations
    • Other Activities in Iran
    • Violence Against Women in Iran
    • Women in Iran Protests, Uprising
  • Podcast
  • Donate
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
NCRI Women Committee
  • Home
  • News
    • Women’s News
    • Articles
    • Statements
  • Publications
    • Monthlies
    • Documents
    • Reference Library
  • About Us
    • Women’s Committee of Iran NCRI
    • Gender Equality
    • Women’s Platform
  • Maryam Rajavi
    • Biography
    • Maryam Rajavi Speeches
    • Ten Point Plan for Iran
    • Ten Point Plan for Women
  • Vanguards
    • Fallen for Freedom
    • Heroines in Chain
    • Women of Iranian Resistance
    • Famous Women
    • Women in History
  • Events
    • IWD Conferences
    • IWD Speeches
    • Activities
    • Solidarity
  • Videos
    • Events
    • International Solidarity
    • International Women’s Day
    • NCRI Women’s Committee Presentations
    • Other Activities in Iran
    • Violence Against Women in Iran
    • Women in Iran Protests, Uprising
  • Podcast
  • Donate
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
NCRI Women Committee
No Result
View All Result
Home Solidarity
Ingrid Betancourt: MEK, the world’s only force to fully embrace gender equality

Being an Ashrafian is fighting for freedom, truth and life –Betancourt

August 8, 2020
in Solidarity
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Being an Ashrafian is fighting for freedom, truth and life

Ingrid Betancourt – former senator and Colombian presidential candidate

Speech to FreeIran2020 Global Summit: Call for Justice – July 19, 2020

Dear friends,

In the anti-regime protest in January this year, people were chanting ‘Down with dictators, be it the Shah or the Supreme Leader.’

It could seem odd for outsiders to see Iranians bringing back through the ashes of history the name of the Shah simultaneously with the name of the leader of today’s dictatorship.

Surprisingly, more than a historical parallel, they are referring to an ongoing alliance.

Alliance of dictators against democratic forces

In the history of Iran, these two political factions, monarchists and theocrats have always been helping each other against democratic forces.

In the 1953 Coup d’etat against Prime Minister Mossadeq, a liberal reformist who was opening a democratic path for Iranians, Ayatollah Kashani (the religious leader at the time) acted in alliance with the Shah to bring Mossadeq down, accusing him of being a communist, and putting an end to this early Iranian spring.

Today, the mullahs are in power. But the monarchists despite all their enmity with this regime prefer this regime to the free and democratic option that Iranians in the streets are claiming for.

Interestingly enough, recently, Ardeshir Zahedi, a former Iranian minister and most of all an ambassador to the United States from the Shah era, attacked Washington for the military operation against Qassem Soleimani.

He said in an interview that the United States were the real terrorists and he added, ‘I have always been and will always be proud of Qassem Soleimani. He was the one who sacrificed his life for his country unlike those who sell themselves for money.’

We all know that Qassem Soleimani was considered by Khamenei himself to be his preferred one, his successor… and we also know that Qassem Soleimani has been accused of executing thousands of Iranians, working for a regime that has proven to be corrupt to the bone, with wealthy leaders plundering on the country’s resources while their fellow citizens face hunger and deprivation.

So, what was Ardeshir Zahedi talking about as a follower of the Shah? Who was he trying to fool?

In fact, what people in the streets in Iran are telling us is that they have not been fooled, at all. They understand better that anyone who these two forces (are) and how these two forces play together in order to continue exploiting and robbing the country to their personal benefit.

The objective alliance between theocrats and monarchists is also visible in another particular issue: in the way they both attack the Iranian democratic forces that are uniting all protesters inside Iran, and gathering international support outside its borders. Those are for both of them the real enemy. Namely, the NCRI and specially the MEK have been their common target because they (the theocrats and monarchists) can see how people in Iran are recognizing their (the NCRI and MEK’s) leadership as a unifying organized force to defeat the regime and open, finally, the way to democracy.

Demonization campaigns

For years, the mullahs’ regime has campaigned to portray the MEK as a terrorist organization and they all have failed.  

Every single time, when their accusations have been brought to a court of justice, an independent judge has made a point of honor, be it in the States, in Britain, in Europe, to clean the name of the Iranian Resistance and of its leaders from all the dirt the regime tried to pile up against them.

Today, they want to divide protesters inside Iran and within the Resistance with the weird allegation that the MEK people in Ashraf are prisoners of their leaders, unable to make their own decisions. This is precisely what the tyrannical regime of the mullahs is guilty of.

The regime holds Iranian population as its prisoners. Trying to brainwash them with lies and threats and even using the name of God to do evil.

That is the reason for millions of Iranians to be protesting as we speak, inside Iran and abroad. It is a well-known strategy to accuse your accusers of what you are guilty of. Turning tables, putting the blame on the other.

But after the impressive summit for freedom held two days ago, which brought together through internet thousands of people from all over the globe to advocate freely and support the Iranian protesters and Iranian Resistance, it is foolish to think that anyone will fall in to their lies and propaganda.

Iranians know better than that.

What does it mean to be an Ashrafian?

The members of the MEK are women and men who have suffered torture both in the Shah’s prisons and in the mullahs’ prisons.

They have seen their families and friends executed. They know who took away their freedom and who is the liar. They have stayed together, living together, in Iraq, in Paris, in Tirana or wherever it might be. Fighting together because they know that they are the spearhead of the Iranian warriors for freedom.

Their choice is to remain together, knowing of course that they can leave it anytime if they wish to do so. And that they can have their own private life whenever they decide to…

You see, being an Ashrafian is not a second best choice in life; it is not a solution against solitude or unemployment; it is not an escaping strategy or transitional mode; it is not being the puppet of anyone.

What the regime doesn’t understand is that a woman, Maryam Rajavi, is the leader of this Resistance, a woman that has suffered and sacrificed as much or more than any of its members, a woman that cannot be bought or intimidated or even silenced because she is the voice of millions.

She is the hope of millions. She is not the torturer, but the victim.

She is not the prison guard, but the key to freedom.

She is not a despot like her enemies, but a justice fighter.

Her strength is her lack of personal ambition.

She lives for the people. She does not impose herself. She does not manipulate. 

She is carried by the people. All the millions of Iranians, victims of the clerical regime.

Being like her, an Ashrafian, is I think the closest we can imagine today, to being an apocalyptic warrior. It is a stuff for heroes.

It is the destiny chosen by women and men who do not give up. It is the transformer’s option of the dreamer becoming the winner.

Iranians know, they know where the truth is standing, and who is flying its banner. And even though I have not been called in my personal life to sacrifice as much as Ashrafies for Iran, I declare myself proudly to be an Ashrafian, because I have chosen, as you have, to struggle against oppression, lies and death and to abide in every way to freedom, truth and life.

Iranians have understood that the best way to have the criminals accountable for their 40 years of crimes is to overthrow this tyranny, to win this war for freedom. Hazer, Hazer, Hazer.

Tags: Women's Leadership
ShareTweetPinShare

Related Posts

Women have been the main target of the Iranian regime — now they’re leading the revolution to bring it down

November 28, 2022
Women have been the main target of the Iranian regime — now they’re leading the revolution to bring it down

The New York Post published an article by Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, on November 27, 2022. The full text of...

Read more

Young women at the forefront attest to the progressive nature of Iran protests

November 13, 2022
Young women at the forefront attest to the progressive nature of Iran protests

Young women at the forefront attest to the progressive nature of Iran protests On the anniversary of the November 2019 uprising, members of the Iranian Resistance at Ashraf...

Read more

Iranian women need regime change to reach full rights

October 27, 2022
Iranian women demand regime change to achieve full rights

NCRI Women’s Committee chair elaborates on women’s leading role in the Iran uprising Iranian women demand regime change to achieve full rights. The anti-regime protests in Iran spearheaded...

Read more

Iranian women’s equality and regime change, two sides of the same coin

October 22, 2022
Iran protests - Leading role of women's Resistance Units

A brief glance at Maryam Rajavi’s views on women’s role in the Iran uprising Iranian women’s equality and regime change are two sides of the same coin. Thirty-three...

Read more

Women are leading a revolution in Iran

October 12, 2022
Women are leading a revolution in Iran

The West must support them Women are leading a revolution in Iran is an opinion editorial by Soona Samsami, the representative in the United States for the National...

Read more
Next Post
Iran protester Fatemeh Davand taken to jail to serve over 5 years

Iran protester Fatemeh Davand taken to jail to serve over 5 years

Documents

The list of women and girls killed by Iranian security forces during the 2022 uprising

The list of women and girls killed by Iranian security forces during the Iran uprising

November 25, 2022

The list of women and girls killed by Iranian security forces during the Iran uprising Women are leading a revolution...

Statement to support the Iranian women’s struggle for freedom and equality

Sign to support the Iranian women’s struggle for freedom and equality

October 10, 2022

The NCRI Women's Committee urges all human rights defenders, women's rights organizations and advocates to sign this statement to support...

executions of women - women executed in Iran

Iran regime, the world record holder in executions of women

October 10, 2022

List of executions of women in Iran since 2007 List of women executedDownload Iran regime is the world’s record holder...

Monthlies

Spreading false narratives to cover up crime
Monthlies

Monthly Report December 2022 – Spreading false narratives to cover up crime

January 4, 2023
violence
Monthlies

Monthly November 2022 – Systematic violence against women in Iran

December 5, 2022
Monthly October 2022 – Stop arrest and torture of Iranian women
Monthlies

Monthly October 2022 – Stop arrest and torture of Iranian women

November 6, 2022
Iran protests - Leading role of women's Resistance Units
Monthlies

Monthly September 2022 – Iran protests and the leading role of women’s Resistance Units

October 9, 2022

Articles

Zeynab Molaei Rad, the mother of Kian Pirfalak, suspended from her job

Zeynab Molaei Rad, the mother of Kian Pirfalak, suspended from her job

January 25, 2023

Zeynab Molaei Rad suspended from her job Zeynab Molaei Rad has been banned from teaching until further notice. Zeynab Molaei...

Brave Iranian women lose their eyes, but their hearts still beat for Iran

Brave Iranian women lose their eyes, but their hearts still beat for Iran

January 17, 2023

Ghazal Ranjkesh: I still haven’t seen the day I “must” see; I know it’s close, very close Many inspiring moments...

Getting to know the 15 young women who are on hunger strike

Getting to know the 15 young women who are on hunger strike 

January 11, 2023

It turned a week on Monday, January 9, that 15 young women detained in Fardis Prison (Kachouii) in Karaj have...

The Fallen for Freedom

Fatemeh Amini_EN
The Fallen for Freedom

Fatemeh Amini, symbol of perseverance and steadfastness

August 15, 2022
Fariba Dashti
The Fallen for Freedom

Fariba Dashti

August 13, 2022
Dr. Massoumeh Karimian massacred in 1988
The Fallen for Freedom

Dr. Massoumeh Karimian (Shurangiz)

August 10, 2022
Nastaran Hedayat Firouzabadi
The Fallen for Freedom

Nastaran Hedayat Firouzabadi

July 26, 2022

ABOUT US

NCRI Women Committee

We work extensively with Iranian women outside the country and maintain a permanent contact with women inside Iran. The Women’s Committee is actively involved with many women’s rights organizations and NGO’s and the Iranian diaspora.
The committee is a major source of much of the information received from inside Iran with regards to women. Attending UN Human Rights Council meetings and other international or regional conferences on women’s issues and engaging in a relentless battle against the Iranian regime’s misogyny are part of the activities of members and associates of the committee.

CATEGORIES

  • Activities
  • Articles
  • Documents
  • Events
  • Famous Women
  • Heroines in Chain
  • International Solidarity
  • International Women's Day
  • IWD Conferences
  • IWD Speeches
  • Maryam Rajavi
  • Maryam Rajavi Speeches
  • Monthlies
  • NCRI Women's Committee Presentations
  • Other Activities in Iran
  • Podcast
  • Reference Library
  • Solidarity
  • Statements
  • The Fallen for Freedom
  • Uncategorized
  • Videos
  • Violence Against Women in Iran
  • Women in History
  • Women in Iran Protests, Uprising
  • Women of Iranian Resistance
  • Women's News

BROWSE BY TAG

Child marriage coronavirus education execution forced hijab Gender Gap Generation Equality Honor killings Iran Teachers Maryam Akbari Monfared Nurses Poverty Prisoners Protests rural women Saba Kord Afshari The girl child Violence against women Women's Leadership Women Heads of Household Zeinab Jalalian

The copyright of all the material published on this website has been registered under © 2016 the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. To obtain permission to copy, redistribute or publish the material published on this website, you should write to the NCRI Women’s Committee. Please include the link of the original article on our website, women.ncr-iran.org.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Women’s News
    • Articles
    • Statements
  • Publications
    • Monthlies
    • Documents
    • Reference Library
  • About Us
    • The NCRI Women’s Committee
    • Gender Equality
    • Women’s Platform
  • Maryam Rajavi
    • Maryam Rajavi Speeches
    • Ten Point Plan for Iran
    • Ten Point Plan for Women
  • Vanguards
    • The Fallen for Freedom
    • Heroines in Chain
    • Women of Iranian Resistance
    • Famous Women
    • Women in History
  • Events
    • IWD Conferences
    • Activities
    • IWD Speeches
    • Solidarity
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • فارسی
  • عربی
  • Français

The copyright of all the material published on this website has been registered under © 2016 the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. To obtain permission to copy, redistribute or publish the material published on this website, you should write to the NCRI Women’s Committee. Please include the link of the original article on our website, women.ncr-iran.org.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist