On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran hosted a conference to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD 2025). The event gathered distinguished political leaders, human rights advocates, and supporters of the Iranian Resistance from over 80 countries.
Kathleen Depoorter is a Belgian politician and a member of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium and deputy chair of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Kathleen Depoorter delivered a speech at the IWD 2025 event in Paris, the text of which is presented below.
Kathleen Depoorter: A Renewed Commitment to the Brave Women of Iran and Ashraf 3
Mrs. Rajavi, how nice to be here again on this International Women’s Day.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I’m always delighted to be here and to stand with the women—the brave and courageous women of Ashraf 3—and the Iranian women who are still fighting for freedom, for democracy, and for equality in Iran.
And on the occasion of International Women’s Day, while many are celebrating progress, some are witnessing decline. But many are celebrating progress.
But still, these women of Iran—they are continuing their fight against tyranny, against discrimination, and … And in June, I was here, and I announced that we were in negotiations for a new government.
And I’m very proud that I can now tell you that we have a new government in Belgium, with my party leader as the Prime Minister. These negotiations took more than eight months, so it wasn’t very easy.
But very important to tell you—and I’m very proud of it—is that the five political parties who are now in the lead in Belgium’s government agreed on fundamentally changing the policy towards Iran.
Condemning Hostage-Taking and Terrorism
And I hope that a lot of European member states will follow us because this Belgian government makes it clear: we will not appease the mullahs. We will not look the other way while Tehran continues its discrimination against women, against political dissidents, and ethnic and religious minorities. This can’t be accepted. My government—Belgium—will stand against the Iranian regime of hostage-taking.
It is illegal, it is inhuman, and it must be unequivocally condemned. Belgium will also push for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, to be blacklisted as a terrorist organization.
Because we’re convinced—and we all know it, and the United Nations knows it as well—that the IRGC is not only responsible for the repression inside Iran but also destabilizes the Middle East and far beyond. And this can’t go unpunished.
This is what my government now says in the governmental agreement, and we are willing to convince more political leaders on that.
The Regime’s Misogyny Is No Accident
We were listening to Mrs. Rajavi—it’s always a pleasure to listen to your vision.
And I was thinking that this regime’s inhuman attitude towards women is not accidental. It is central to their ideology. This oppression of women isn’t just a matter of some discriminatory laws.
No—it’s a pillar of the theocratic dictatorship. And it’s difficult for us to imagine in Western countries. But these women face everyday discrimination, oppression, forced veiling—and we can’t understand.
But they face it just because they’re asking for their basic rights. These are human rights—nothing more, nothing less. So, we should support them.
Yet, despite the brutality, Iranian women have shown the world the true meaning of resilience. They were at the heart of the 2022 uprising. They still lead the fight for democracy. And they are very clear:
Neither the Shah nor the mullahs. They object. The Iranian people reject past and present dictatorships, and they demand to have a future rooted in democracy and gender equality.
The Vision of Mrs. Rajavi and the NCRI
This is what Mrs. Rajavi and her movement can give. In the fight against Islamic fundamentalism, the National Council of Resistance of Iran—along with all the members and activists—and we’ve seen the emotional part of the speech of Mrs. Rajavi—you have made a lot of sacrifices.
You have paid a huge price, and this gives us momentum to keep on fighting for a free Iran, to keep on supporting you.
And it’s been said this afternoon, but it’s a bit your day too, Mrs. Rajavi. What an inspiring leadership. We’re so glad to be here, and they are so glad to have you as a leader.
But of course, a leader needs a team. And you have this great team of volunteers—these Resistance Units, the PMOI Resistance Units inside Iran—who sacrifice themselves for the great cause of a free Iran.
Your Ten-Point Plan sets out a vision for a democratic republic with—and this is very important—gender equality.
Toward a Republic That Honors Women’s Rights
But where gender equality is not only promised but practiced. This is where we’re heading: a republic where women can take leadership positions at every level.
Where compulsory hijab and discrimination are abolished. And where no more women will be executed or imprisoned just for her beliefs.
To all the brave women of Iran: you are a true inspiration—not only for your fellow Iranians but for people from all over the world.
I wish you all the luck.
Long live the freedom-fighting women of Iran, and let’s make 2025 the year of a free Iran.
