Dutch MEP Dorien Rookmaker delivered a poignant speech on September 15 in Brussels at a conference held by the Iranian Resistance on the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini and the beginning of Iran’s nationwide uprising, expressing her profound honor to be present despite the tragic circumstances propelling this assembly.
Mrs. Rookmaker condemned the oppressive regime in Iran, underscoring the injustice of the Iranian leadership’s brutal treatment of its citizens. She honored the memory of Mahsa Amini, recognizing her as a symbol of bravery against all odds and emphasizing the critical role of women in Iran’s struggle for freedom.
As a member of the European Parliament and the chair of a prominent women’s association, Rookmaker acknowledged the importance of unity and expressed gratitude to all, both male and female, who stand together in this struggle. She hailed Maryam Rajavi as a beacon of courage and hope, envisioning the coming year as a year of transformation where the oppressive regime will fade away.
The text of Dutch MEP Dorien Rookmaker’s impactful speech follows:
Dear President Maryam Rajavi, dear honorable guests, dear honorable friends in the audience, I am so happy and honored I can be here, even if the reason why we’re here is a tragic one.
It’s a tragic one because we still are confronted with a murderous regime in Iran. There is no excuse for oppression, there is no excuse for oppressors, there’s no excuse for a regime murdering their own people, and there’s no excuse for the European Union to talk with criminals like the regime in Iran.
Mahsa Amini became a heroine against all odds. Since her death, we have been chanting, “Women, life, freedom.”
This is because women are so important in the struggle for freedom in Iran today. But as we have just seen, the youth is equally important. And as a member of the European Parliament, but also as the chair of the oldest women’s association in the Netherlands, I want to thank the gentlemen in the audience, the males, and the people who support us in our struggle. Because we only can do this if we can stand together.
#Dutch MEP @RookmakerDorien:
There's no excuse for a regime murdering its own people, and there's no excuse for the #EuropeanUnion to talk with criminals like the regime in #Iran.https://t.co/MjiycLwvzj— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 15, 2023
Mahsa Amini is a symbol of sacrifice, but Mrs. Maryam Rajavi is a symbol of courage and a symbol of hope.
Last year was a year of sacrifice, next year will be the year of change. The regime will disappear, I’m confident.
So to all who are watching in Iran, I know what a struggle it has been, and I know there is no way of underestimating what courage you must have to stand up to this regime. And I continue to support you, and so will all members of the European Parliament.
I thank you. Thank you.
The European Parliament stands behind the opposition and against the criminal regime in Iran. I call on all EU-political leaders of all member states to do the same. Let us honour #Mahsa_Amini by joining forces to stop the regime in Iran. @Maryam_Rajavi https://t.co/zG4P121IyU
— Dorien Rookmaker (@RookmakerDorien) September 16, 2023
