The Iranian community in London’s borough of Barnet celebrated the 50th anniversary of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, or MEK) “which hopes to end repression and promote freedom in the country,” the Times Series wrote on Tuesday.
“Barnet has the highest number of Iranian’s in the United Kingdom and during the day, people paid tribute to the victims of the Iranian regime in the last 36 years”, the report said.
“Many have been tortured, imprisoned and executed for rejecting the government’s rules.”
Farzaneh Hosseini, a lawyer and human rights activist who lives in Mill Hill, said: “I am well aware that women and men my own age in Iran do not have a voice.”
“The PMOI has taught me that I must be their voice, I must do all I can to end the oppression they face – and I and my friends among the Iranian youth in this country will continue to be their voice, and will continue to fight, until we replace the murderous theocracy in Iran with a government that listens to and represents our youth and our people.”
“I am proud to be able to stand before you on the 50th anniversary of the founding of this organisation.”
There have been 16 executions in Iran in the last three days – which translates to one execution every eight hours.
Laila Jazayeri, who lives in Barnet and is part of the Barnet Iranian’s group, said: “These are official figures – so who knows how many unannounced executions are.
“Almost every lranian living in the borough has lost somebody – from siblings to parents to children – or extended family or close friends.”
Members of both Houses of Parliament sent messages of solidarity while women’s rights activists, and a former senior UN official also attended, the report added.
Related news:
PHOTO REPORT: London celebrates 50th anniversary of Iran’s PMOI
50th anniversary of Iran’s PMOI celebrated in the UK
