Banning the Iranian Rally in Paris Was a Blow to the Values of Freedom on Which France Was Built

At a moment when Paris should have served as a platform for Iranians demanding freedom and justice, the decision to ban the major rally of free Iranians caused deep concern among human rights and political circles. Prominent French lawyer Dominique Attias expressed a firm position against the ban, stressing that defending the right to peaceful assembly is inseparable from defending human dignity and the rights of oppressed peoples.

Dominique Attias, Chair of the Board of the European Lawyers Foundation, stated:

“I express my deep anger and strong condemnation of the decision to ban the major Iranian rally in Paris. Using the pretext of public order against free and unarmed citizens who came to say no to executions, no to repression, and no to the velayat-e faqih regime represents a painful retreat from the principles on which France was founded.”

She added:

“France, which raised the banner of liberty, equality, and fraternity, must not become a place where the voices of victims of dictatorship are silenced under pressure from threats and political blackmail. Peaceful demonstrators should have been protected, not prevented from expressing solidarity with a people subjected to executions and repression in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and across Iran.”

Attias emphasized:

“This administrative decision cannot be separated from the pressure exerted by the mullahs’ regime and its continuous attempts to influence European democratic institutions. Tehran’s hand is long when it comes to threats and intimidation, but the duty of democratic states is to stand against such pressure, not allow it to restrict fundamental freedoms.”

She explained:

“As a lawyer and human rights advocate, I say clearly that we will not accept the transformation of law into a cover for fear. We will continue to challenge this decision before French courts, and if necessary, we will go to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, because the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not favors granted by anyone; they are fundamental rights that must not be compromised.”

She noted:

“What happened in Paris does not concern Iranians alone; it concerns the image of France itself as a country of human rights. If an oppressed people is prevented from raising its voice in the capital of freedom, that sends a dangerous message to every repressive regime seeking to silence its opponents even beyond its borders.”

Dominique Attias concluded:

“I pay tribute to the courageous women of Iran who have never bowed before jailers and executioners, neither in the streets nor inside prison cells. Your struggle is our struggle as well, and your voice will remain stronger than repression. We will continue to stand with the Iranian people and their Resistance for a free Iran and for human dignity.”