Today, 8 April, the British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom (BPCIF) held a reception celebrating the Persian New Year Nowruz at the House of Lords. A large number of members of Parliament from both Houses and from all political parties attended the ceremony to express their best wishes to the Iranian Resistance and its President-elect, Maryam Rajavi, and also to deliver their greetings to the representatives of Iranian communities in the UK who were also present.

The ceremony also received best wishes by 15 religious leaders including The Most Reverend Dr. Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, The Revd Martin Wharton, The Lord Bishop of Newcastle, The Right Reverend Mike Hill, The Lord Bishop of Bristol, The Rt Revd Stephen Platten, The Lord Bishop of Wakefield, The Rt Revd Dr John Inge, The Lord Bishop of Worcester, The Rt Revd Peter Forster, The Lord Bishop of Chester and The Rt. Revd Dr Christopher Cocksworth, The Bishop of Coventry, Lord Spiritual.

The British parliamentarians took the opportunity to send a message of support and solidarity to the people of Iran and residents of Camp Liberty in their struggle for human rights and democracy in Iran, and also to send a firm message strongly called on the UK and US governments, EU and UN to take urgent action regarding the situation in Camp Liberty and the situation of human rights in Iran.

In his opening remarks, speaking in support of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Lord Carlile, co-Chair of the BPCIF and the leading QC, stated that a popular movement is the best way to secure a change of regime in Iran. He said NCRI has prepared a viable road-map to democracy and the creation of secular government. He also expressed concerns about the dangerous situation of the Camp Liberty residents and urged the UK government to welcome to UK, refugees from Camp Liberty, many of whom have links with the UK. He stressed that the residents’ security should be guaranteed by the UN and US until they are transferred from Iraq.

Mrs. Mryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, sent a written message to the event which was read out by Dowlat Nowrouzi by UK Representative of the NCRI. In her message, Mrs. Rajavi stated: “The message of Nowruz is that winter and darkness will be replaced with spring, new life and livelihood. The message of New Year, on the first day of spring for us is that change from darkness to brightness is inevitable, so will be the regime change and establishment of democracy in our homeland.”

While thanking all supporters of the Iranian resistance in dark days she call on the UK Government to end inaction on the security of Camp Liberty residents and to use its leverage to compel the government of Iraq to end its deadly policyon the residents and allow the residents to improve security of the camp. She added: “It is now time to ask UN Security Council to refer the Ashraf massacre to the International Criminal Court for investigation and bring those responsible to justice.”

With regards to the need for a democratic change in Iran, she said: “The mullahs in Tehran, their lobbies and even Foreign Office and Ministries of Foreign Affairs in other Western countries want to tell us that there is no hope for change. They stop at nothing to promote this false notion that the regime is there to stay for many years to come. They twist the realities to suite their conclusion. They disseminate false information to discredit the democratic opposition. But, our response is very simple: The people of Iran deserve to have freedom and democracy. The Iranian women deserve to enjoy equality. And, no matter what the price might be, we are determined to end dictatorship and establish a democratic system.”

She then went on to outline her roadmap for a change in Iran: “The fundamentalist regime ruling Iran must be overthrown in its entirety. Subsequently a provisional government shall be formed to hold free and fair election within maximum six months to form the Constitutional Assembly in order to formulate the new Constitution within two years. We want a pluralistic democratic Iran, where ethnic and religious minorities enjoy their full rights without any discrimination. A democratic Iran with no death penalty, free of nuclear and in coexistence with its neighbors.”

David Amess MP, the co-Chair of the BPCIF urged the UK government to call on the UN Security Council to act for the security of the Camp Liberty residents and to station the UN Blue Helmets at the camp for that purpose while they are in Iraq.

Lord Clarke of Hampstead also expressed his abhorrence on the rise of executions in Iran and the policy of appeasement towards the Iranian regime and also condemned the inaction of the UN, US and our own government on the security of the Iranian refugees in Camp Liberty. He delivered his special New Year greetings to Mrs. Rajavi and residents of Camp Liberty.

Steve McCabe MP (Birmingham, Selly Oak) a long-standing member of the BPCIF said: “Nowruz is the time of renewal. We must use that time of hope to renew our demands for a democratic Iran and we should support the NCRI roadmap.”

Professor Lord Alton of Liverpool, a long-standing supporter of the Iranian people said in short remarks: “Nowrus is a time for making bonfires, when light triumphs over darkness. In Iran, we need to light bonfires on which we burn violations of human rights, burn theocratic ideologies and burn orders to torture, suppress and imprison. The British Parliament must act as a beacon of light in upholding the democratic values represented by the NCRI.”

Baroness Turner giving her best wishes for Mrs. Rajavi and all members of the Iranian Resistance, admired Iranian women in Camp Liberty and in all ranks of the NCRI for playing a key role in struggle for freedom in their homeland and stressed on the international community’s obligation towards Camp Liberty residents including 1000 women as well as towards the release of the 7 hostages including 6 women taken during the massacre of 1 September in Ashraf.

Lord Maginnis, Independent member of the House of Lords said although Rouhani came to power under the pretext of a reformist, his past role in crushing uprisings against the Iranian authorities and his current record with almost 700 executions in eight months shows that he is no more than a misleading bluffer. He described Mrs. Rajavi as a leader with tremendous understanding of democracy and a well-defined and clear platform for future Iran.

There were also other dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community in London who attended the event.