12 former European leaders express their support for the Iranian demonstration on 8 February in Paris
Statement signed by former European leaders:
On the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian revolution, we strongly support the courageous Iranian people in their struggle to end the religious dictatorship and establish a truly democratic and secular republic.
Through their national uprisings, the Iranian people have clearly demonstrated their desire to end the current regime. We denounce the clerical dictatorship for its oppressive rule and its human rights violations, and we also reject the dictatorship of the former Shah, recognising the suffering under both regimes.
We support the major demonstration planned in Paris on 8 February, where the voices of Iranians will resonate with the message: ‘No to the tyrant, be he Shah or Mullah, yes to a democratic Republic’. We support the 10-point plan of Mrs Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which received the support of more than 4,000 MPs and 137 former world leaders in 2024, as a viable blueprint for a future free Iran.
We call on governments around the world to recognise the Iranian people's right to self-determination and freedom from tyranny. The time for change is now; the Iranian people deserve freedom, justice and democracy.
Partial list of signatories:
- Guy Verhofstadt – Former Prime Minister, Belgium
- Anneli Jäätteenmäki - Former Prime Minister, Finland
- Geir H. Haarde – Former Prime Minister, Iceland
- Petre Roman – Former Prime Minister, Romania
- Jaume Bartumeu-Cassany – Former Prime Minister, Andorra
- Yulia Tymoshenko – Former Prime Minister, Ukraine
- Janez Janša – Former Prime Minister, Slovenia
- Carlo Cottarelli – Former Prime Minister-designate, Italy
- Giuseppe Maria Morganti – Former Capitan Regent, San Marino
- Joseph Muscat – Former Prime Minister, Malta
- Avdullah Hoti – Former Prime Minister, Kosovo
- Nicola Renzi – Former Capitan Regent and Minister of Foreign Affairs, San Marino