Speech by Maria Candida Almeida,[1]Deputy Attorney General of Portugal until 2019
International Women’s Conference at Ashraf 3 – Albania – July 14, 2019
Salaam.[2]
Dear Mrs. Rajavi, my dear friends,
It has been an extraordinary three days with you. Actually unbelievable, because we have heard of all your suffering in Camp Ashraf and Liberty and all the unfair events against you from the (inaudible) to the blacklisting of this movement. But now you are here and I am very happy to be with you.
First, we must thank Mrs. Rajavi for finding the solution to saving the members of the movement. And second, we must thank yourselves for your perseverance and the force to keep the flame alive. Thank you, my friends.
But I can’t, I will never forget those inside Iran (who) fight for freedom, for democracy, for human rights, for women’s rights. They are and you are my example. You are and they are my heroines.
I am a woman of law who was the first magistrate in my country, Portugal. I have worked to protect the law over 45 years and have been in the highest decision making positions.
I am here, my sisters, because I learned that it has been 40 years that under the name of law and justice, your people and members of the Iranian resistance have been suffering, under religious dictatorship and the crimes against humanity (that they) have committed. (So,) I must be here with you.
Since when did it become justified for people, like me, who must defend the people in Portugal and the people in your country, to undertake killings, massacre and suppression? Horrible things are happening in Iran today, such as killing of pregnant women or the death penalty for innocent young girls…
The international community must not accept this and we can’t ignore what is going on. This is why your cause became my cause. I’m with you.
I believe that your movement is an example to all of us. You can overcome any obstacle and reach any goal because you are determined and have shown the strength and the knowledge of women in leadership.
Your leader is courageous. Your leader is strong. Your leader is an example for all people, for all women, for me.
Being with you for these few days, I was encouraged to work harder for you when I return home. I hope (and) I want you to accept me as your messenger.
And
our next goal is to see all of you, and me too, in a free Tehran. Thank you.
[1] Maria Candida Almeida is a former Deputy Attorney General of Portugal until 2019. She was Portugal’s Attorney General until 2015. She became the first woman to become a magistrate in Portugal 45 years ago.
[2] Salaam or Salam means hello in Farsi.
