On June 30, at the Free Iran 2024 World Summit in Paris, John Paul Phelan, a long-serving member of the Irish Parliament, delivered an impassioned speech emphasizing Ireland’s commitment to a free Iran. Phelan expressed his pride in being part of the Irish delegation and pledged to do everything possible to support the cause.
Phelan began by highlighting the plight of Iranian exiles in his own constituency, who, along with their children, have been unable to return home due to their involvement with the NCRI and other opposition organizations. He then criticized European and global politicians, including those from Ireland, for their attempts to engage with the tyrannical regime in Iran. Phelan echoed General Jones’ sentiment that the only effective approach is through strength and outright opposition to the regime’s brutality and coercion.
Phelan paid tribute to those who spoke from Iran during the summit, acknowledging their need to disguise their appearances for safety. He assured them that they were not alone and that their messages were heard and fully supported by the international community.
Before concluding, Phelan extended his gratitude to key figures within the Iranian community who have supported the Irish delegation, exemplifying the best of Iranian hospitality and patience. He reiterated his admiration for the Iranian people and reaffirmed his commitment to working towards a free Iran.
The full text of MP John Paul Phelan’s speech follows:
Madame Rajavi, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a privilege for me to attend the free Iran Summit 2024 here in Paris. My name is Sean Paul Phelan, and I’ve been a member of the Chamber of Deputies, the doll in our country, Ireland, for many years, 23 years as a member of parliament.
.@JPPhelan: "I want the people of Iran to know that they are not alone, that we here are listening to them. And not only listening, but we fully support their objectives for a free Iran."#MaryamRajavi4FreeIran #FreeIran2024https://t.co/x9dFw0yF9r
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) June 30, 2024
Free Iran, simple but beautiful words. It is my privilege to be part of the Irish delegation that wishes to do everything that we possibly can as a nation to ensure that Iran becomes free. So many Iranian people that I know live in my own constituency in exile, often with their children who have never been able to travel home to their own homeland because their parents were involved in the NCRI and other opposition organizations. I cannot imagine what it must be like not to be able to do that.
I also want to, in a very particular way, criticize European governments, politicians from all over the world, and politicians from Ireland who have, over the last number of years in particular, tried to deal with the tyrannical regime in Iran. I think it was General Jones yesterday who said that the only way to deal with the regime in Iran is by strength and by outright opposition to their murders and barbaric coercion of their own people.
I also want to, in a particular way, pay tribute to those who we had yesterday, who spoke from Iran, who had to disguise their appearance, cover their faces, and give their messages to this conference. I want them to know that they’re not alone, that we here are listening to them and not only listening, but we fully support their objectives for a free Iran.
Irish MP @JPPhelan: "Many Iranian people that I know have never been able to travel home to their own homeland because their parents were involved in the NCRI and other opposition organizations."#MaryamRajavi4FreeIran #FreeIran2024https://t.co/x9dFw0yF9r
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) June 30, 2024
I want to Madame Rajavi, before I finish thanking a very particular way, Mrs. Dowlat, Hussain, Muhammad, and Amir, who are our, who are our, they look after the Irish delegation and have been such an exemplar of everything that is good about Iran.
The Iranian people and Iranian people that I have met in my 25 years in public life have all been patient and hospitable, and it is for their efforts that we wish to add our support and live and work to achieve a free Iran.
Thank you very much. Applause.
