Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

International Conference in Brussels Spotlights Iranian Women's Uprising


Sat 04 Mar 2023 | 12:53 PM
Jala Arani

On March 4th, an international conference will take place in Brussels to support the ongoing uprising of the Iranian people, highlighting the crucial role of women. The Women's Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran has called for the United Nations to investigate the ongoing poisonings of schoolgirls in Iran, making the conference's timing critical.

Despite a brutal crackdown that has resulted in the deaths of at least 750 protesters, including 60 women and 70 children, the ongoing uprising in Iran has gained international attention. For more than five months, women have led the nationwide movement, which continues to this day. Over 30,000 demonstrators, primarily young women, have been arrested and subjected to torture, including sexual harassment.

The conference, organized by the association of Iranian communities in Europe, will involve the online participation of "Resistance Units" inside Iran, affiliated with the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, sharing their experiences and assessments based on their active participation in the ongoing uprising. Despite the Iranian regime's oppressive tactics, including arrests and torture, the Resistance Units are taking a significant risk by participating in the conference online, demonstrating the Iranian people's resilience in their struggle for freedom and democracy.

Prominent female leaders, lawyers, legislators, former UN officials, and representatives of Iranian women's communities in Europe will feature in the conference, urging the international community, particularly the European Union, to take practical steps to support the new revolution of the Iranian people and recognize their right to resist the ruling misogynist regime. A senior delegation from the National Council of Resistance of Iran will also be present to explain the positions of the Iranian Resistance.

The conference will feature a diverse range of speakers, including:

- Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Defense Minister of Germany (2018-2021)

- Dr. Amal Othman, former Egyptian Minister

- Mona Omar, former Egyptian Minister

- Linda Chavez, Former White House Director of Public Liaison

- Judy Sgro, Member of Canadian Parliament, former Minister of Immigration

- Candice Bergen, former Leader of the Opposition Conservative Party of Canada (2022), Minister of State for Social Development (2013-2015)

- Dominique Attias, Chair of the Board of Directors at the European Lawyers Foundation, France.

The conference aims to provide a vital platform for the international community to stand with the families and victims of the ongoing heinous crimes in Iran, demand international accountability for the Iranian regime, and support the Iranian people's right to resist.

The conference will take place at The Egg Exploitation SA, Barastreet 175, Brussels, starting at 15:30.

The ongoing uprising in Iran, led by women, is an unprecedented nationwide movement that deserves the world's attention and support. As the Iranian people continue to fight for their basic human rights and dignity, the international community must come together to demand accountability for the regime's atrocities and to support the Iranian people's right to resist. The conference in Brussels is a crucial step towards achieving these goals.