Text of speech by Jans Christian Lund, MP from Denmark at Résidence Palace in Brussels on January 27
NCRI – This day is a very special day for me and for a lot of people in the world. But my heart is divided into two, and that is not so good. The left part knows that this may represent the best day for many, many years for me, because the PMOI is being taken off the terror list. Congratulation to you, Mrs Rajavi. You have been doing a marvellous job. It is extremely important for the world and for my heart to say that. It is also important for me to say that I am living in a democracy where the majority of the members in my Parliament voted to say to our government that you must not support maintaining the PMOI on the list, because this is a democracy. I am also happy that I am living in the EU. Perhaps they have made mistakes for many years, but now they are following the rule of law. Otherwise I would have been unhappy to live in the EU.
I am happy for the Resistance movement in Iran. But especially I am happy for the people in Iran because I hope that this decision will lead to the possibility for Iran to have democracy, human rights, free and fair elections, rights for minorities, rights for women, free and independent press and freedom of speech. That is not the case today. But it is a future possibility for an important country of the world. For the rest of my life, I will work extremely hard to see that future realized. I will say I will come to Iran to see that you are doing it.
The other part of my heart contains sorrow. I am sorry that we have kept the PMOI on the list for so many years and for allowing the existence of a legal framework to do that. It is a disaster. I am sorry that it has taken so many court decisions and yet we did not obey the rule of law. I am sorry that this decision has resulted in a lot of killings in the world, especially in Iran and also in other countries. This is a disaster. I am sorry that Iran was refused the chance to become a democratic country, because the history of this country demands this country to be a democracy.
I think it is really important that all of us, who have supported the PMOI and the NCRI, are working for democracy in the future. I am sure with Madam Rajavi as a leader, it will go on in a proper direction and I think that is especially important. It is important to tell the people in Iran that we are supporting them and their democratic aspirations. It is important that they are given the chance to vote freely. Do we want to have a democracy or do we want to have the mullahs in power? I have no doubt what the result of a free elections will be. I am certain that a new government which will support democracy and the right for free elections must be established. There must also be a secular state where religion has no role in the leadership and the political system. This must be done very soon. I hope every one understands what has been said today.
I would also like to say a few words about Ashraf. It is of course extremely important that people are being treated well in Ashraf. I have a picture of a very, very beautiful lady in Ashraf. And everyday I take this picture and look at her and say: we will support you in your city in Ashraf. She is the daughter of Mrs. Rajavi.
I have been a soldier for 42 years because I trust in democracy and the rule of law. Therefore, I am happy to say this: Give us the strength to work for her so we can have a democracy without war in the world. I said my heart was divided, but it is not. It is in one piece and my heart will work to create democracy in Iran, and in our country where the best systems are ruling.
