On Saturday, February 21, 2026, on the eve of March 8, International Women’s Day, the NCRI Women’s Committee hosted an international conference in Paris entitled “Women’s Leadership: An Imperative for a Free Iran and a Democratic Republic.” The conference, attended by women legislators, academics, thinkers, and prominent political figures, focused on women’s political participation and leadership as a decisive element in a democratic society.
At this conference, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, former Prime Minister and former Minister of Justice of Finland, was also in attendance and delivered a speech. Excerpts from her speech are provided below:
Anneli Jäätteenmäki: We Will Continue to the End to Achieve a Free and Secure Iran
Dear friends, dear human rights defenders, good afternoon all of you. Iranians, the Iranian people continue to live under systematic oppression. All over the world, when we turn on the TV and watch the TV news, we are witnessing the brutality of the regime of the Iranian Ayatollahs all over the world. But despite the heavy repression, the Iranian regime has never been able to stop the protests.
For many years, across the country, Iranians have led protests that challenge the regime and weaken the foundations of the dictatorship. The killings, executions, murders reported by human rights organizations continue to increase at an alarming rate. And these include children, women, elderly, journalists, mothers, fathers, and students – ordinary people who want to live ordinary lives.
I want to welcome the decision and the resolution of the European Parliament to put the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the terrorist list. And this happened some weeks ago.
Dear human rights fighters, very many Iranian people have risked their lives in the fight for freedom from dictatorship and from gender discrimination. Peaceful human rights defenders put their lives at risk. I must say that I appreciate all of you. I am not sure if all of us are ready to do what you do. I am here today to stand with you, freedom fighters from Iran.
At the end I want to thank Maryam Rajavi for your hard work for many, many years, and the work you have done for the Iranian people. It’s a huge work and we will continue it to the end to achieve a free and secure Iran. Thank you.
