Exclusive Interview — Simay Azadi
On the sidelines of a conference at the European Parliament marking the International Day of Human Rights, Simay Azadi spoke with Dorien Rookmaker, former Member of the European Parliament (Netherlands).
In this interview, Ms. Rookmaker sharply condemned Tehran’s human rights record, called on the European Union to take concrete action, voiced explicit support for Maryam Rajavi’s plan for a secular and democratic Iran, and stressed that economic interests must never take precedence over human rights. She also delivered a message of solidarity and encouragement to the Iranian people, emphasizing that the regime is weak and nearing collapse.
Read the full text of the interview below.
Interview with Dorien Rookmaker — Simay Azadi
Simay Azadi: Thank you very much for accepting this interview with Simay Azadi. We just heard your speech at the conference here at the European Parliament. Can you just tell us what you think about today’s conference and what was its message? And if you can, in several points, say your message that was in the powerful speech that you just gave—what was it?
Dorien Rookmaker:
First of all, today is the International Day for Human Rights, and it’s an important day for all humankind, I think. It’s important that we all respect human rights. And the regime in Iran is, unfortunately, one of the regimes that don’t respect human rights. I think the regime in Iran is pure evil.
I think the UN is doing its part, but we’re here as guests in the European Parliament, and I addressed the European Parliament and I called upon them to take action. The magnificent and very good plan of Maryam Rajavi for the freedom of Iran, for a secular democratic Iran, is extremely good. And I think as a European Union, we have to follow up on that.
And I proposed a 10-point plan for the European Union in support of Maryam Rajavi, and I think it went well—it went down well with the European Union members, that is. I think it’s important that we explicitly speak out our support for Maryam Rajavi and the PMOI. I think it’s very important that we mention and state that the IRGC is a terrorist organization. And I think it’s very important that we never, ever, ever prioritize economic interest above human rights, because what you don’t want others to do to you, you shouldn’t do upon others.
And if other countries would let a prolific situation of human rights violations in Europe and Iranian people wouldn’t stand up for us, we would be furious. And I admire the Iranian people that they have so much courage to stand up against a regime that is ruthless, and I admire their patience with the European Union and the international community. We should step up and do far more than we do now. Thank you.
Simay Azadi: Well thank you very much. If you have any message to the Iranian people, you can address them directly and tell them.
Dorien Rookmaker:
Well, to the Iranian people, I would like to say that the situation in Syria and the breakdown of the regime of Assad, but also the situation in Iran—which is awful, of course, because of shortages of water and fuel prices going up sky-high, etc.—these are all signs that the regime in Iran is weak and it is on the point of breakdown.
And this is why it’s so important that the international community supports you, and it’s why it’s so important that you step up and have trust and faith, because this regime will fade away, will go, and we will charge all those people that have murdered—we will hold them accountable. Thank you.