On June 30, at the Free Iran 2024 World Summit in Paris, Ambassador Ken Blackwell, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, delivered an impassioned speech emphasizing the enduring struggle for human rights and freedom in Iran.
In his remarks, Amb. Blackwell recounted his involvement in building the case against Milosevic in the former Yugoslavia and witnessing the brutality of apartheid in South Africa. He expressed that such atrocities must come to an end and highlighted the critical role of the Iranian freedom fighters in this global fight for justice.
Speaking from the heart, Blackwell emphasized the importance of perseverance in the struggle for a free Iran. He likened the freedom fighters to long-distance runners, essential for achieving lasting change, unlike sprinters who burn out quickly. He stressed that the atrocities of mass executions and the wrongful convictions of diaspora members by the Iranian regime are characteristic of brutal dictatorships, which must be confronted and overcome.
Blackwell invoked the power of collective action, asserting that history is a process, not a snapshot, and together we can alter its course toward freedom. Emphasizing the necessity of demanding change, Blackwell said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” He called for a united front to confront and dismantle the evil power center in Iran, promising that the Iranians will eventually achieve freedom and continue to contribute positively to the world.
The full text of Ambassador Blackwell’s speech follows:
Madam Rajavi, distinguished guests, particularly those in Ashraf 3.
For over 50 years, I’ve worked on human rights, both domestically and globally. The things that I’ve witnessed in terms of human tragedy at the hands of dictatorships, authoritarian governments, and theocracies are beyond most people’s imagination.
Team Trump used economic and diplomatic leverage to
weaken Iran, Team Biden's policy of appeasement has empowered its genocidal dictatorial regime! #FreeIran10PointPlan @A1Policy @newtgingrich @FRCdc pic.twitter.com/dZAOVMxr4D— Ken Blackwell (@kenblackwell) June 30, 2024
I helped build the case against Milosevic in the former Yugoslavia. I’ve watched the brutality of apartheid in South Africa. This must stop. I have formal remarks that I will give to you because what I want to say comes from my heart, and it’s to those individuals who are on the front line of this fight for free Iran.
Ladies and gentlemen, freedom fighters, all, there are a lot of reports from the United Nations that will go on the ash ton of history if we give up. We happen to be here in this country where the Olympics will be celebrated. There are long-distance runners, and there are sprinters that burn out quickly. You, freedom fighters or long-distance runners, you’re on the front line. You will make a difference. Iran will be free.
Frontlines, mass executions like we witnessed in 1988, holding members of the diaspora guilty in absentia, these are the things of a brutal dictatorship. We are looking forward to a day when we come together and amplify one another.
It’s often been said that those who do evil love the darkness. Each and every one of us is invested with a light. We can’t hide that light under a bushel. We must use our individual light and our collective light to punch holes in the darkness of our time.
#FreeIran10PointPlan pic.twitter.com/ZLnd7LRK8U
— Ken Blackwell (@kenblackwell) June 28, 2024
History is not a snapshot. History is a process. Together we will change the arc of history in the direction of freedom and a free Iran.
It’s often been said that power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has, and it never will. Together we will confront the evil power center of Iran. We will in fact change the regime. We will change the nature of politics in Iran, and the Iranians will be free. They will continue to create. They will make a difference. And I just say to you, whatever light is still burning on my candle, I will in fact unite it with yours to punch holes in the darkness of an evil regime.
We will win. We must win. We will win.
