British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom

Web exclusive

London, 5 May - Lord Slynn, who passed away earlier this month, will be remembered as a champion of justice for the Iranian people and their Resistance movement.

Several hundred of his distinguished colleagues, family members and friends attended his funeral which was held at St. Margaret’s Church in Westminster Abbey on 20 April. Also present were several of his colleagues in the British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom, including committee chair Lord Corbett of Castle Vale.

His wife, Lady Slynn, read a beautiful recital in his memory and Revd Prof. Peter J. Galloway OBE led the prayers.

The keynote speaker was Lord Elton, a life-long friend of Lord Slynn. He recounted Lord Slynn’s activities from his early years and some of his greatest contributions to British and European law.

Lord Elton also described Lord Slynn’s passionate defence of justice and the rule of law where it concerned the Iranian people. Touching on Lord Slynn’s achievements for the Iranian Resistance, Lord Elton said:

“Gordon’s passion for liberty under the law caused him to take up the cause of oppressed people generally and, in his last great campaign, the people of Iran in particular.  He recognised that, in spite of its name, the Peoples Mojahedin of Iran was not a terrorist organisation operating in breach of the Rule of Law - which was both the British and the European view - but a political movement operating within it. To release them from proscription both by the UK and EU it was necessary to bring cases in the courts of both.  It was also necessary to talk to all EU governments all of whom could express their views to the court.  Suffice it to say that every case was won and that during the campaign he was also tireless in ensuring that the status of the Iranian people in Ashraf was known, respected and protected.

This, his last great campaign, has been of huge importance to the people concerned. In a moving letter to Odile [Lady Slynn], Maryam Rajavi, the President of NCRI - the organisation to which the PMOI belongs - says that “Lord Slynn remains an eternal inspiration for anyone who seeks justice and for the rights of the oppressed, and those falsely accused for political gain, which he abhorred…….; The British people & judicial system owe him for the honour he has brought to them.”

She concludes “We pray for the establishment of justice and freedom, for the principles of which Lord Slynn dedicated his entire life to protect.  And we pray for Lord Slynn’s honourable soul”.

We, I think, can do no better than that, while thanking God for a full and fruitful life, the joy it gave to so many, and his part in maintaining freedom under the law for the rest of us. And let us keep a corner in our hearts for Odile in the difficult time ahead.”