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{{Short description|Iranian opposition leader (born 1953)}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} | |||
{{Multiple issues| | |||
{{Infobox politician | |||
{{COI|date=February 2011}} | |||
| name = Maryam Rajavi | |||
{{BLP sources|date=April 2007}} | |||
| image = Iran - Iranian Gathering - Villepinte -All For Freedom – Paris June 2014 - Maryam Rajavi - MEK - PMOI (4) (14625524773) (cropped) (2).jpg | |||
| caption = Rajavi in 2014 | |||
| office1 = President-elect of the ] | |||
| term_start1 = 22 October 1993<ref name="President–elect">{{cite book|chapter=Iran: The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran|title=Iran: Outlaw, Outcast, Or Normal Country?|page=97|publisher=Nova Publishers|year=2001|author1=Kenneth Katzman|editor=Albert V. Benliot|isbn=1560729546}}</ref> | |||
| predecessor1 = ]{{efn|Banisadr who was affiliated with the ] from 1981 to 1984, was considered as the "President of Iran" in the claimed government by the council.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ensani.ir/fa/content/49872/default.aspx |title=شورای ملی مقاومت، بنیصدر و رجوی، از ائتلاف تا جدایی |date=July 2008 |orig-year=Tir 1387 |author=Kian Parsa |language=fa |number=52 |journal=Shahrvand Magazine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003021728/http://ensani.ir/fa/content/49872/default.aspx |archive-date=3 October 2013}}</ref> The office was vacant after Banisadr.}} | |||
| office2 = Co–equal Leader of the ] | |||
| term_start2 = 27 January 1985<ref name="Hern">{{cite book|title=Iran's Revolutionary Guard: The Threat That Grows While America Sleeps|page=208|publisher=Potomac Books, Inc|year=2012|author1=Steven O'Hern|isbn=978-1597977012}}</ref> | |||
| term_end2 = | |||
| predecessor2 = ] {{small|(as leader)}} | |||
| alongside2 = ] (until 2003){{efn|Since 2003 ] has disappeared and leadership of the group has practically passed to his wife Maryam Rajavi.<ref>{{cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Terrorism|url=https://archive.org/details/historicaldictio00ande|url-access=limited|page=|series=Historical Dictionaries of War, Revolution, and Civil Unrest|edition=3|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2009|author1=Stephen Sloan|author2=Sean K. Anderson|isbn=978-0810863118}}</ref>}} | |||
| office3 = Secretary-General of the ] | |||
| term_start3 = 8 October 1989 | |||
| term_end3 = 22 October 1993 | |||
| predecessor3 = ] | |||
| successor3 = Fahimeh Arvani | |||
| office4 = Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the National Liberation Army | |||
| term_start4 = 20 June 1987 | |||
| term_end4 = 22 October 1993 | |||
| successor4 = | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1953|12|4}} | |||
| birth_place = ], ] | |||
| birth_name = Maryam Qajar-Azodanlu | |||
| spouse = {{plainlist| | |||
*{{marriage |]|1980|1985|end=div}}<ref name="TNY"/> | |||
*{{marriage |]|1985|end={{abbr|dis.|disappeared}} 2003}}<ref name="TNY"/> | |||
}} | }} | ||
| children = 1<ref>{{citation|first=Georgie Anne|last=Geyer|title=Iranian Exiles Have A Committed Leader In Maryam Rajavi|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-08-26-9408260149-story.html|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=26 August 1996|access-date=20 January 2020|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301072810/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-08-26-9408260149-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}} | |||
| native_name_lang = fa | |||
{{Infobox president | |||
| native_name = {{nobold|مریم رجوی}} | |||
| name = Maryam Rajavi | |||
| image = Maryam_Rajavi_2017.jpg | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1953|12|4}}<ref name="maryam-rajavi.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.maryam-rajavi.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=927&Itemid=59 |title=Maryam |publisher=Maryam-rajavi.com |accessdate=7 November 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025111556/http://maryam-rajavi.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=927&Itemid=59 |archivedate=25 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | |||
| birth_place = ], ] | |||
| birth_name = Maryam Qajar-Azodanlu | |||
| office = President of the ]<ref name="President–elect">{{cite book|chapter=Iran: The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran|title=Iran: Outlaw, Outcast, Or Normal Country?|p=97|publisher=Nova Publishers|year=2001|author1=Kenneth Katzman|editor=Albert V. Benliot|isbn=1560729546}}</ref> | |||
| term_start = 22 October 1993<ref name="President–elect"/> | |||
| term_end = | |||
| leader = | |||
| predecessor = ]{{efn|Banisadr who was affiliated with the ] from 1981 to 1984, was considered as the "President of Iran" in the claimed government by the council.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ensani.ir/fa/content/49872/default.aspx |title=شورای ملی مقاومت، بنیصدر و رجوی، از ائتلاف تا جدایی |date=July 2008 |origyear=Tir 1387 |author=Kian Parsa |language=Persian |number=52 |journal=Shahrvand Magazine |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003021728/http://ensani.ir/fa/content/49872/default.aspx |archivedate=3 October 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> The office was vacant after Banisadr.}}{{dead link|date=September 2016}} | |||
| successor = | |||
| office2 = Co–equal Leader of the ]<ref name="Co-equal Leader">{{cite book|title=Iran's Revolutionary Guard: The Threat That Grows While America Sleeps|p=208|publisher=Potomac Books, Inc|year=2012|author1=Steven O'Hern|isbn=1597977012}}</ref> | |||
| term_start2 = 27 January 1985<ref name="Co-equal Leader"/> | |||
| alongside2 = ]{{efn|Since 2003 ] has disappeared and leadership of the group has practically passed to his wife Maryam Rajavi.<ref>{{cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Terrorism|p=454|series=Historical Dictionaries of War, Revolution, and Civil Unrest|edition=3|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2009|author1=Stephen Sloan|author2=Sean K. Anderson|isbn=0810863111}}</ref>}} | |||
| term_end2 = | |||
| leader2 = | |||
| predecessor2 = | |||
| successor2 = | |||
| spouse = {{plainlist| | |||
*{{marriage |]|1980|1985|end=div}}<ref name="TNY">{{cite journal|journal=The New Yorker|volume=82|issue=1–11|pp=54–55|publisher=F-R Publishing Corporation|year=2006|title=Exiles: How Iran's expatriates are gaming the nuclear threat|author=Connie Bruck|quote=This transition was epitomized by Rajavi's involvement, in 1985, with Maryam Azodanlu. Maryam was already married, to Mehdi Abrishamchi, one of Rajavi's close associates. Rajavi overcame that fact by making the romance a matter of revolutionary necessity. First, he said that he was making Maryam his co-leader-and that it would transform thinking about the role of women throughout the Muslim world. Then, about a month later, it was announced that Maryam was divorced from Abrishamchi and that the two co-leaders would marry, in order to further the "ideological revolution."}}</ref> | |||
*{{marriage |]|1985}}<ref name="TNY"/> | |||
}} | }} | ||
|children = Mostafa {{small|(b. 1980)}}<br>Ashraf {{small|(b. 1982)}}<ref name="maryam-rajavi.com"/> | |||
'''Maryam Rajavi''' ({{langx|fa|مریم رجوی}}, {{Nee|'''Qajar-Azodanlu'''}}, {{langx|fa|مریم قجر عضدانلو|links=no}}; born 4 December 1953) is an Iranian dissident politician and the leader of the ] (MEK), an organization advocating the overthrow of the ], and president-elect of its ] (NCRI). She is married to ], who is the co-leader of MEK.<ref name=BBC2003>{{cite news|title=Profile: Maryam Rajavi|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2980279.stm|website=BBC News|date=17 June 2003|access-date=24 February 2017|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107205640/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2980279.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hern"/> | |||
| party = ] | |||
}} | |||
'''Maryam Rajavi''' ({{lang-fa|مریم رجوی}}, {{Nee|Qajar-Azodanlu}}, {{lang-fa|قجر عضدانلو}}) is the leader of the ], an organization trying to overthrow the Iranian government. Rajavi is also the President-elect of the ] (NCRI), based since 1993. She is the wife of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Profile: Maryam Rajavi|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2980279.stm|website=BBC News|accessdate=24 February 2017}}</ref> | |||
==Early life |
==Early life== | ||
Rajavi was born on 4 December 1953 in ].<ref name=" |
Rajavi was born Maryam Qajar-Azodanlu on 4 December 1953 in ], to a middle-class family of civil servants descended from the ].<ref name="Who's Who">{{citation |last=Sleeman |first=Elizabeth |title=The International Who's Who of Women 2002 |page=464 |year=2001 |entry=RAJAVI, Maryam |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=9781857431223}}</ref><ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Craig S. |date=24 September 2005 |title=Exiled Iranians Try to Foment Revolution From France |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/24/international/europe/24rajavi.html?_r=0 |access-date=7 November 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> She attended the ] in Iran, earning a ] degree in ].<ref name="Who's Who" /> | ||
==Political career== | ==Political career== | ||
] | |||
Rajavi has stated that her political activism started when she was twenty-two after her sister Narges was killed by ]'s secret police.<ref name=nytimes/> Then she became a member of the ] (PMOI/MEK), and began her political career. She was inducted by ], into his command structure, as part of the ''Operation Eternal Light'', which had more women than men, justifying it as a ''constitutional revolution.''<ref></ref> | |||
Rajavi has stated that her political activism began when she was twenty-two, after her sister Narges was killed by ].<ref name=nytimes/> Her other sister, Massumeh, was also executed (while pregnant) in 1982 by ]’s regime.<ref>{{cite book |last=Goodwin |first=Jan |author-link= |date= 31 December 2002|title=Price of Honor: Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Silence on the Islamic World |publisher=Plume |page= |isbn=9780698157798 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aVp5AAAAQBAJ&dq=maryam+rajavi&pg=PT114}}</ref> Then she became a member of the ] (PMOI/MEK), and began her political career.<ref name=Katzman>{{cite book |first=Kenneth |last=Katzman |chapter=Iran: The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran |title = Iran: Outlaw, Outcast, Or Normal Country? |publisher = ] |year=2001 |editor-first = Albert V. |editor-last = Benliot |pages=97–98 | isbn = 978-1-56072-954-9 }}</ref> | |||
Rajavi served as an organizer of the anti-Shah student movement in the 1970s. In 1979, she became an official of the social section of the PMOI/MEK, where she served until 1981. Rajavi was a parliamentary candidate in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archives.republicans.foreignaffairs.house.gov/112/blo120711.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110204024/http://archives.republicans.foreignaffairs.house.gov/112/blo120711.pdf|dead-url=yes|archive-date=2013-01-10|title=Camp Ashraf: Iraqi Obligations and State Department Accountability|last=Bloomfield Jr.|first=Lincoln|date=December 2011|website=|publisher=House Committee On Foreign Affairs|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>{{Better source|reason=The source is a United States congressional hearing and is the best source for fact statements like this|date=June 2017}} In 1985, she became Joint-Leader of the PMOI and served as the Secretary General between 1989 and 1993.<ref>{{citation|first=Ronen|last=Cohen|title=The Rise and Fall of the Mojahedin Khalq, 1987-1997: Their Survival After the Islamic Revolution and Resistance to the Islamic Republic of Iran|publisher=Sussex Academic Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-84519-270-9|page=12}}</ref> | |||
Rajavi served as an organizer of the anti-Shah student movement in the 1970s. In 1979, she became an official of the social section of the PMOI/MEK, where she served until 1981. Rajavi was a parliamentary candidate in 1980.<ref name="Who's Who"/> | |||
In 1982, Rajavi was transferred to Paris, where the political headquarters of the Mojahedin was located. The Mojahedin was the principal opposition to the Iranian regime at that time.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Brief Biography of Maryam Rajavi|url=http://www.iran-e-azad.org/english/maryam/biography.html|website=www.iran-e-azad.org|accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=July 2016}} | |||
In 1982, Rajavi was transferred to ], ] where the political headquarters of the Mojahedin was located.<ref name="Who's Who"/> In 1985, she married ] in Paris, and became co-leader of the PMOI.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=8 July 2003 |title=Profile: Maryam Rajavi |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3052366.stm |newspaper=BBC}}</ref> She also served as the Secretary General between 1989 and 1993.<ref name=Ronen2009>{{citation|first=Ronen|last=Cohen|title=The Rise and Fall of the Mojahedin Khalq, 1987–1997: Their Survival After the Islamic Revolution and Resistance to the Islamic Republic of Iran|publisher=Sussex Academic Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-84519-270-9|page=12}}</ref><ref name=Katzman/><ref name="TNY">{{cite magazine|magazine=The New Yorker|volume=82|issue=1–11|pages=54–55|publisher=F-R Publishing Corporation|year=2006|title=Exiles: How Iran's expatriates are gaming the nuclear threat|author=Connie Bruck|quote=This transition was epitomized by Rajavi's involvement, in 1985, with Maryam Azodanlu. Maryam was already married, to Mehdi Abrishamchi, one of Rajavi's close associates. Rajavi overcame that fact by making the romance a matter of revolutionary necessity. First, he said that he was making Maryam his co-leader-and that it would transform thinking about the role of women throughout the Muslim world. Then, about a month later, it was announced that Maryam was divorced from Abrishamchi and that the two co-leaders would marry, in order to further the "ideological revolution."}}</ref> | |||
In 2003, Rajavi's offices were raided by French police. She was placed under arrest and the assets of the NCRI were frozen by the French government. Rajavi's supporters protested her arrest by demonstration until her release. Three of the protesters set themselves on fire in Paris.<ref name="Iran fire protests">{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2999652.stm |title=Iranian fire protests at Paris arrests |date=2003-06-18 |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-01-13}}</ref><ref name="bdt45cgf11">{{Cite news|title=Iran's Armed Opposition Wins a Battle — In Court|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1569788,00.html|publisher=Time Magazine|last=Graff|first=James |date=14 December 2006}}</ref> | |||
On 22 October 1993, the ] elected Rajavi to be "Iran’s interim President" if the NCRI were to assume power in Iran.<ref name=Katzman/> | |||
The supreme court of the United Kingdom reiterated Rajavi's travel ban (originally put in place in 1997) on 12 November 2014. Rajavi is not excluded from any other European country and engages regularly with parliamentarians in the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parliamentarians lose Maryam Rajavi court battle|url=http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/11596593.Parliamentarians_lose_Maryam_Rajavi_court_battle/?ref=mr|website=Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times|publisher=Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times|accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref> | |||
In October 2011, ] banned Rajavi from coming to Britain in a trip where she was to "explain how women are mistreated in Iran". The high court then sued Theresa May, with ] (the Government's former independent reviewer of counter-terrorism laws) saying that May's decision "could be viewed as appeasing the Mullahs".<ref>{{cite news|author=Muhanad Mohammed|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/may-appeases-iran-with-ban-on-opposition-leader-bmdfx3w70fg|title=Iraqi court seeks arrest of Iranian exiles|access-date=21 January 2020|work=]|archive-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216174810/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/may-appeases-iran-with-ban-on-opposition-leader-bmdfx3w70fg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Muhanad Mohammed|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/may-is-appeasing-iran-by-blocking-dissidents-visit-7445975.html|title=May 'is appeasing Iran' by blocking dissident's visit|date=10 April 2012|access-date=21 January 2020|publisher=The Standard|archive-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216174810/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/may-is-appeasing-iran-by-blocking-dissidents-visit-7445975.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, the ] dismissed an appeal from Lord Carlile of Berriew QC and others and upheld it to maintain the ban, which had originally been implemented in 1997. Members of the UK House of Lords argued that the Home Secretary was "violating Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the ] (the Convention)", saying that "Home Secretary’s reasons were legally irrelevant, because they depended on the potential reaction of a foreign state which did not share the values embodied in the Convention."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barakatt|first1=Marina|title=U.K. Supreme Court Upholds Home Secretary's Decision to Prevent an Iranian Politician from Entering the U.K. (November 12, 2014)|url=https://www.asil.org/blogs/uk-supreme-court-upholds-home-secretary%E2%80%99s-decision-prevent-iranian-politician-entering-uk|date=25 November 2014|access-date=14 September 2016|publisher=The American Society of International Law|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128164123/https://www.asil.org/blogs/uk-supreme-court-upholds-home-secretary%E2%80%99s-decision-prevent-iranian-politician-entering-uk|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=R (on the application of Lord Carlile of Berriew QC and others) (Appellants) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent) UKSC 60|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927010314/https://www.supremecourt.uk/decided-cases/docs/UKSC_2013_0098_PressSummary.pdf|url=https://www.supremecourt.uk/decided-cases/docs/UKSC_2013_0098_PressSummary.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2017|access-date=14 September 2016|publisher=Supreme Court of the United Kingdom}}</ref> Rajavi is not excluded from any other European country and engages regularly with parliamentarians in the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Parliamentarians lose Maryam Rajavi court battle|url=http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/11596593.Parliamentarians_lose_Maryam_Rajavi_court_battle/?ref=mr|website=Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times| date=12 November 2014 |access-date=10 February 2015|archive-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210193833/http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/11596593.Parliamentarians_lose_Maryam_Rajavi_court_battle/?ref=mr|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In a statement that condemned the ] attacks ] of the Islamic Republic's founder, Rajavi stated: "ISIS's conduct clearly benefits the Iranian regime's Supreme Leader Khamenei, who wholeheartedly welcomes it as an opportunity to overcome his regime's regional and international impasse and isolation. The founder and the number one ] is thus trying to switch the place of murderer and the victim and portray the central banker of terrorism as a victim."<ref>. June 12, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017</ref> | |||
Maryam Rajavi publicly met with the ] ] on 30 July 2016 in Paris, France.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why Abbas-MEK meeting made waves everywhere but Palestine|url=http://al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/08/meeting-abbas-iran-opposition-rajavi.html|author=Marian Houk|date=9 August 2016|access-date=5 December 2016|publisher=Al-Monitor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220145936/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/08/meeting-abbas-iran-opposition-rajavi.html|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
A 10-point manifesto published by Maryam Rajavi sets out a programme to transform Iran. She states her commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to other international instruments. She calls for the abolition of the death penalty, the creation of a modern legal system and the independence of judges. Rajavi would end Tehran’s funding of Hamas, Hezbollah and other militant groups and is committed to peaceful coexistence, relations with all countries and respect for the United Nations charter.<ref> ] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the . © Crown copyright.</ref> The manifesto also contains the statement that 'We recognize private property, private investment and the market economy.'<ref>https://www.usfliberty.org/maryam-rajavi/</ref>. | |||
=== Electoral history === | |||
Rajavi presented her plan at the Council of Europe in 2006, which supports complete gender equality in political and social rights and, specifically, a commitment to equal participation of women in political leadership. Her 10-point plan for the future of Iran stipulates that any form of discrimination against women would be abolished and that women would enjoy the right to choose their clothing freely. It also includes the ending of cruel and degrading punishments.<ref> ] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the . © Crown copyright.</ref> | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||
|- | |||
! Year !! Election (Constituency) !! Votes !! % !! Rank !! Result !! Ref | |||
|- | |||
|1980||] {{small|(])}}||221,831||10.4||67th | |||
| style="background-color:#C66"|Lost | |||
|<ref>{{citation|date=5 April 1980|orig-year=16 Farvardin 1359|access-date=20 January 2020|title=اسامی نامزدهای تهران که بیش از ۱۰ هزار رأی آوردهاند|url=https://luna.manchester.ac.uk/luna/servlet/detail/Manchester~18~18~906~226953:15m4471|newspaper=Kayhan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429044711/https://luna.manchester.ac.uk/luna/servlet/detail/Manchester~18~18~906~226953:15m4471|archive-date=29 April 2019|number=10964|page=3|language=fa|trans-title=Names of Tehran candidates who gained more than 10,000 votes|via=The University of Manchester Library|id=15m4471|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|} | |||
== |
== Activism == | ||
=== France === | |||
In 1992, the EP Council supported Maryam Rajavi's advocacy for "the international community act specially in favor of women’s rights" following condemnation of human rights violations by the Iranian government.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cohen |first1=Ronen |date= |title=The Triple Exclusion of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization - Their Activities for Human Rights in Iran as a Voice in the Wilderness |url= |journal=Middle Eastern Studies |volume=49 |issue=6 |pages=952 |doi= |quote=The EP’s condemnations of Iran continued also in 1992 and focused mainly upon the violations of human rights, the executions , the persecutions of ethnic and religious minorities, the oppression of women and the persecution of government opponents inside and outside Iran, as well as the attempts to assassinate MKO and NCRI leaders ... During that year the EP put much emphasis on women’s oppression in Iran. The EP supported Maryam Rajavi’s messages that demanded the international community act specially in favor of women’s rights}}</ref> | |||
In 2003, she was arrested by ] alongside some 150 MEK members for "preparing to commit or finance acts of terrorism".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2996132.stm|title=Paris police target Iranian groups | |||
|date=17 June 2003|access-date=28 December 2016|publisher=]}}</ref> After questioning, most of those detained were released.<ref>{{cite news |title=France drops charges against Iran opposition group |publisher=Fox News|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/france-drops-charges-against-iran-opposition-group}}</ref> Twenty-four sympathizers of the MEK were placed under investigation, including Maryam Rajavi for allegedly "associating with wrongdoers in relation with a terrorist undertaking". | |||
Rajavi presented her plan at the ] in 2006, which supports complete gender equality in political and social rights and, specifically, a commitment to equal participation of women in political leadership. Her 10-point plan for the future of Iran stipulates that any form of discrimination against women would be abolished and that women would enjoy the right to choose their clothing freely. It also includes the ending of cruel and degrading punishments.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213085339/http://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-06-28/debates/92B47430-75B2-40B5-9FA6-76A24E8D1E7C/HumanRightsInIran?highlight=Maryam%20Rajavi#contribution-85B1A801-C8A8-449C-8097-8267042F9C10 |date=13 December 2017 }} ] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628175632/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ |date=28 June 2017 }}. © Crown copyright.</ref> | |||
The arrests and detention of Rajavi set off protests in France and other European countries. The NCRI denied the charges and “accused Paris of arresting its followers to please the Iranian government.” In 2011, courts found that there were no grounds for terrorism or terrorism-related finance charges and fully exonerated the group.<ref>{{cite news |title=France Will Drop Charges Against Iranian Dissidents |publisher=NY Times|date=May 12, 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/world/europe/13iht-iran13.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Mujahedin-E Khalq (MEK) Shackled by a Twisted History|author= Lincoln P. Bloomfield Jr. |year=2013|publisher=University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs|isbn=978-0615783840|pages=43}}</ref> In 2014, prosecuting judges also dropped all charges of money laundering and fraud.<ref>{{cite news |title=France drops case against Iranian dissidents after 11-year probe |publisher=Reuters|date=September 17, 2014|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-iran-ncri/france-drops-case-against-iranian-dissidents-after-11-year-probe-idUSKBN0HC1OR20140917}}</ref> | |||
In April 2021, Maryam Rajavi endorsed resolution HR 118, which expresses “support for Iranian people’s desire for a democratic republic” and “condemns ‘violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism’ by Tehran”.<ref>{{cite news |title=Congressional leaders urge Biden to take tough stand on Iran |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1850101/middle-east |publisher=Arab News |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501091727/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1850101/middle-east |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Iraq === | |||
In July 2010, the ] issued an arrest warrant for 39 MEK members, including Rajavi, for ] committed while suppressing the ].<ref name="cah">{{cite web|author=Muhanad Mohammed|editor=Rania El Gamal; David Stamp|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE66A0A0|title=Iraqi court seeks arrest of Iranian exiles|date=11 July 2010|access-date=28 December 2016|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
In July 2021, Rajavi organized a rally in ] to protest the election of ] as President of Iran. Rajavi called Raisi the "henchman" of the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988. She was joined in the protest by former U.S. Secretary of State ], who expressed his support for Rajavi and the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Iranian exiles protest, demand prosecution of president-elect |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranian-exiles-protest-demand-prosecution-president-elect-2021-07-10/ |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=Reuters |date=10 July 2021 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710155127/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranian-exiles-protest-demand-prosecution-president-elect-2021-07-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Struan|first=Stevenson|title=Mike Pompeo offers momentous support for Iranian opposition |url=https://www.upi.com/Voices/2022/05/23/albania-Mike-Pompeo-Iran-resistance-MEK-Albania/8531653307253/ |work=UPI |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703214919/https://www.upi.com/Voices/2022/05/23/albania-Mike-Pompeo-Iran-resistance-MEK-Albania/8531653307253/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
== Notes and references == | |||
In a statement that condemned the ] attacks ] of the Islamic Republic's founder, Rajavi stated: "ISIS's conduct clearly benefits the Iranian regime's Supreme Leader Khamenei, who wholeheartedly welcomes it as an opportunity to overcome his regime's regional and international impasse and isolation. The founder and the number one ] is thus trying to switch the place of murderer and the victim and portray the central banker of terrorism as a victim."<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719121149/http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/just-because-isis-attacked-iran-doesnt-mean-iran-isnt-supporting-terrorism/article/2625674 |date=19 July 2017 }}. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017</ref> | |||
A 10-point manifesto published by Rajavi sets out a programme to transform Iran. She states her commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to other similar international organizations. She calls for the abolition of the death penalty, the creation of a modern legal system and the independence of judges. Rajavi would end Tehran's funding of ], ] and other militant groups and is committed to peaceful coexistence, relations with all countries and respect for the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213083814/http://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2016-12-08/debates/1117FCF0-EE8C-4A7A-BED2-DE9108AD65DC/IranHumanRights?highlight=Maryam%20Rajavi#contribution-6C120466-1CAA-4B8A-9EB6-E39D862B33EB |date=13 December 2017 }} ] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628175632/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ |date=28 June 2017 }}. © Crown copyright.</ref> The manifesto also contains the statement that "We recognize private property, private investment and the market economy."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usfliberty.org/maryam-rajavi/|title=Maryam Rajavi|access-date=2 July 2018|archive-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612182535/http://www.usfliberty.org/maryam-rajavi/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2020, a majority of members of the USA's House of Representatives backed a "bipartisan resolution" supporting Rajavi and the NCRI's "call for a secular, democratic Iran" while "condemning Iranian ]." The resolution, backed by 221 lawmakers (including ] and ]), gave support to Rajavi's 10-point plan for Iran's future (which include "a universal right to vote, market economy, and a non-nuclear Iran") while calling on the prevention of "malign activities of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic missions."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/majority-house-members-back-resolution-supporting-iranian-opposition|title=Majority of House members back resolution supporting Iranian opposition, condemning regime's terror|website=]|date=17 June 2020|access-date=19 June 2020|archive-date=19 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619080736/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/majority-house-members-back-resolution-supporting-iranian-opposition|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/the-world-is-watching-lawmakers-tout-bipartisan-resolution-condemning-iran|title='The world is watching': Lawmakers tout bipartisan resolution condemning Iran|date=17 June 2020|access-date=19 June 2020|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618133218/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/the-world-is-watching-lawmakers-tout-bipartisan-resolution-condemning-iran|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Albania is where most of MEK members are based.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kingsley|author-link=Patrick Kingsley (journalist)|title=Highly Secretive Iranian Rebels Are Holed Up in Albania. They Gave Us a Tour. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/16/world/europe/iran-mek-albania.html |work=The New York Times |date=16 February 2020}}</ref> In 2024 Rajavi said in a statement that ]'s death "represents a monumental and irreparable strategic blow to the mullahs' supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the entire regime, notorious for its executions and massacres".<ref>{{cite news|title=Exiled opposition group says Raisi death 'monumental blow' to Iran|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240520-exiled-opposition-group-says-raisi-death-monumental-blow-to-iran|work=France 24}}</ref> | |||
=== 2018 Rally incident === | |||
In 2018, Vienna-based Iranian diplomat ] was tried and sentenced to 20 years in prison in a ] for masterminding a terrorism plot against a rally led by Maryam Rajavi. The rally was also attended by civilians and high-profile Westerners scheduled to speak (including ], ], and ]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-get-out-of-jail-free-card-for-iranian-terrorists-belgium-attack-jail-prison-trial-sentencing-treaty-amnesty-11658525662|title=Opinion | A Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card for Iranian Terrorists|first1=Masih|last1=Alinejad|first2=Darya|last2=Safai|newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=22 July 2022|via=www.wsj.com|access-date=20 August 2022|archive-date=20 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820121559/https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-get-out-of-jail-free-card-for-iranian-terrorists-belgium-attack-jail-prison-trial-sentencing-treaty-amnesty-11658525662|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55931633 |title=France bomb plot: Iran diplomat Assadollah Assadi sentenced to 20 years |work=BBC News |date=4 February 2021 |access-date=20 August 2022 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210002605/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55931633 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Legal issues== | |||
===France=== | |||
On 17 June 2003, Rajavi was arrested by ] alongside some 150 MEK members.<ref>{{citation|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2996132.stm|title=Paris police target Iranian groups|date=17 June 2003|access-date=28 December 2016|publisher=BBC|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006110228/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2996132.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Rajavi released on bail|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=4 July 2003|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2003/07/200849135442456351.html|access-date=20 January 2020|archive-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801151719/https://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2003/07/200849135442456351.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She and 23 other people were investigated over suspicion of links to terrorism.<ref name="reuters" /> All charges were later dropped.<ref>{{citation|first=David|last=Jolly|title=France Will Drop Charges Against Iranian Dissidents|work=The New York Times|date=12 May 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/world/europe/13iht-iran13.html|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629141151/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/world/europe/13iht-iran13.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="reuters">{{citation|title=France drops case against Iranian dissidents after 11-year probe|publisher=Reuters|date=17 September 2014|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-iran-ncri/france-drops-case-against-iranian-dissidents-after-11-year-probe-idUSKBN0HC1OR20140917|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024194313/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-iran-ncri/france-drops-case-against-iranian-dissidents-after-11-year-probe-idUSKBN0HC1OR20140917|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=France Drops Case Against Iranian Dissidents|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=17 September 2014|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/france-drops-iran-dissidents-case/26590826.html|access-date=20 January 2020|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126022337/https://www.rferl.org/a/france-drops-iran-dissidents-case/26590826.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Iraq=== | |||
In July 2010, the ] issued an ] for 39 MEK members, including Rajavi, "due to evidence that confirms they committed ]" by "involvement with the ] in suppressing the ] against the former Iraqi regime and the killing of Iraqi citizens". The MEK have denied the charges, saying that they constitute a "politically motivated decision and it’s the last gift presented from the government of Nuri al-Maliki to the Iranian government".<ref name="cah">{{cite web|author=Muhanad Mohammed|editor=Rania El Gamal|editor2=David Stamp|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE66A0A0|title=Iraqi court seeks arrest of Iranian exiles|date=11 July 2010|access-date=28 December 2016|publisher=]|quote=Rajavi’s wife Maryam, leader of the French-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the PMOI’s political wing, was also included in the warrant, Abdul Sahib added.|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021933/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE66A0A0|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Trial ''in absentia''=== | |||
On 29 July 2023, Iran announced that they would try Rajavi and 103 other members of MEK '']''.<ref>{{cite news |title=محاکمه مریم رجوی و 103 عضو منافقین در تهران + اسامی و جزئیات |url=https://www.shahrekhabar.com/news/169060782055214 |access-date=30 July 2023 |work=شهر خبر |date=29 July 2023 |language=fa}}</ref> The trial against both Rajavi and the 101 other MEK members commenced on 21 December 2023 at a Tehran court, and is ongoing as of April 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=آغاز دور جدید دادگاه رسیدگی به اتهامات سرکردگان گروهک تروریستی منافقین |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85452969/%D8%A2%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87%DA%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C |access-date=22 April 2024 |work=IRNA |date=22 April 2024 |language=fa}}</ref> According to U.S. federal legislative information, these involve "sham trials" of dissident Iranian Resistance veterans in order to have them extradited back to Iran or "justify terror plots against them".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/1148/text?s=2&r=1&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22h.res.+1148%22%7D|title=H.Res.1148 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)|work=Congress.gov|access-date=13 May 2024}}</ref> | |||
== Books == | |||
* ''Great March towards Freedom<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rajavi|first=Maryam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myOJzQEACAAJ|title=Great March Towards Freedom: Maryam Rajavi's Messages and Speeches to the Annual Gatherings of Iranian Resistance at Ashraf 3 - Albania July 2019|date=20 March 2020|publisher=National Council of Resistance of Iran|isbn=978-2-491615-01-7|language=en}}</ref>'' | |||
* ''No to'' ''Compulsory Religion,'' ''No to'' ''Compulsory Government Illustrated<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 October 2017|title=No to Compulsory Veil: No to Compulsory Religion, No to Compulsory Government|url=https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/publications/no-to-compulsory-veil-no-to-compulsory-religion-no-to-compulsory-government/|access-date=3 December 2020|website=NCRI|language=en-GB|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120224515/https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/publications/no-to-compulsory-veil-no-to-compulsory-religion-no-to-compulsory-government/|url-status=live}}</ref>'' | |||
* ''Women, Islam and Fundamentalism<ref>{{cite book|author=Maryam Rajavi|title=Women, Islam & Fundamentalism|issue=Autumn 1995|location=Paris|url=https://moslemwomen.info/|language=En|format=pdf|access-date=3 December 2020|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203142127/https://moslemwomen.info/|url-status=live}}</ref>'' | |||
* ''Iran Will Be Free<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rajavī|first=Maryam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UpMduwEACAAJ|title=Iran Will Be Free: Speech by Maryam Rajavi|date=18 September 2018|publisher=NCRI-US|isbn=978-1-944942-21-2|language=en}}</ref>'' | |||
* ''Key to Countering Islamic Fundamentalism''<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 July 2015|title=Key to Countering Islamic Fundamentalism|url=https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/publications/key-to-countering-islamic-fundamentalism/|access-date=3 December 2020|website=NCRI|language=en-GB|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629141152/https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/publications/key-to-countering-islamic-fundamentalism/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
{{Portal|Iran|Biography}} | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
==References== | |||
===Notes=== | |||
{{notelist}} | {{notelist}} | ||
{{Reflist|33em}} | |||
===Citations=== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category}} | |||
{{Portal|Iran|Biography}} | |||
*{{Official website|http://www.maryam-rajavi.com/en/ }} | *{{Official website|http://www.maryam-rajavi.com/en/ }} | ||
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{{s-ttl|title=Co-leader of ]|years=1985–present|alongside=]}} | {{s-ttl|title=Co-leader of ]|years=1985–present|alongside=]}} | ||
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{{s-vac|last=]|as=President of Iran in pretence}} | {{s-vac|last=]|as=President of Iran in pretence}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 21:37, 30 December 2024
Iranian opposition leader (born 1953)
Maryam Rajavi | |
---|---|
مریم رجوی | |
Rajavi in 2014 | |
President-elect of the National Council of Resistance | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 22 October 1993 | |
Preceded by | Abolhassan Banisadr |
Co–equal Leader of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 27 January 1985Serving with Massoud Rajavi (until 2003) | |
Preceded by | Massoud Rajavi (as leader) |
Secretary-General of the People's Mujahedin of Iran | |
In office 8 October 1989 – 22 October 1993 | |
Preceded by | Massoud Rajavi |
Succeeded by | Fahimeh Arvani |
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the National Liberation Army | |
In office 20 June 1987 – 22 October 1993 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Maryam Qajar-Azodanlu (1953-12-04) 4 December 1953 (age 71) Tehran, Imperial State of Iran |
Spouses |
|
Children | 1 |
Maryam Rajavi (Persian: مریم رجوی, née Qajar-Azodanlu, Persian: مریم قجر عضدانلو; born 4 December 1953) is an Iranian dissident politician and the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), an organization advocating the overthrow of the Iranian government, and president-elect of its National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). She is married to Massoud Rajavi, who is the co-leader of MEK.
Early life
Rajavi was born Maryam Qajar-Azodanlu on 4 December 1953 in Tehran, to a middle-class family of civil servants descended from the Qajar dynasty. She attended the Sharif University of Technology in Iran, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgy.
Political career
Rajavi has stated that her political activism began when she was twenty-two, after her sister Narges was killed by SAVAK. Her other sister, Massumeh, was also executed (while pregnant) in 1982 by Ruhollah Khomeini’s regime. Then she became a member of the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), and began her political career.
Rajavi served as an organizer of the anti-Shah student movement in the 1970s. In 1979, she became an official of the social section of the PMOI/MEK, where she served until 1981. Rajavi was a parliamentary candidate in 1980.
In 1982, Rajavi was transferred to Auvers-sur-Oise, Île-de-France where the political headquarters of the Mojahedin was located. In 1985, she married Massoud Rajavi in Paris, and became co-leader of the PMOI. She also served as the Secretary General between 1989 and 1993.
On 22 October 1993, the NCRI elected Rajavi to be "Iran’s interim President" if the NCRI were to assume power in Iran.
In October 2011, Theresa May banned Rajavi from coming to Britain in a trip where she was to "explain how women are mistreated in Iran". The high court then sued Theresa May, with Lord Carlile of Berriew (the Government's former independent reviewer of counter-terrorism laws) saying that May's decision "could be viewed as appeasing the Mullahs". In 2014, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom dismissed an appeal from Lord Carlile of Berriew QC and others and upheld it to maintain the ban, which had originally been implemented in 1997. Members of the UK House of Lords argued that the Home Secretary was "violating Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention of Human Rights (the Convention)", saying that "Home Secretary’s reasons were legally irrelevant, because they depended on the potential reaction of a foreign state which did not share the values embodied in the Convention." Rajavi is not excluded from any other European country and engages regularly with parliamentarians in the European Parliament.
Maryam Rajavi publicly met with the President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas on 30 July 2016 in Paris, France.
Electoral history
Year | Election (Constituency) | Votes | % | Rank | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | Parliament (Tehran, Rey and Shemiranat) | 221,831 | 10.4 | 67th | Lost |
Activism
In 1992, the EP Council supported Maryam Rajavi's advocacy for "the international community act specially in favor of women’s rights" following condemnation of human rights violations by the Iranian government.
Rajavi presented her plan at the Council of Europe in 2006, which supports complete gender equality in political and social rights and, specifically, a commitment to equal participation of women in political leadership. Her 10-point plan for the future of Iran stipulates that any form of discrimination against women would be abolished and that women would enjoy the right to choose their clothing freely. It also includes the ending of cruel and degrading punishments.
In April 2021, Maryam Rajavi endorsed resolution HR 118, which expresses “support for Iranian people’s desire for a democratic republic” and “condemns ‘violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism’ by Tehran”.
In July 2021, Rajavi organized a rally in Berlin to protest the election of Ebrahim Raisi as President of Iran. Rajavi called Raisi the "henchman" of the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988. She was joined in the protest by former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who expressed his support for Rajavi and the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
In a statement that condemned the ISIS attacks against Iran's parliament and the tomb of the Islamic Republic's founder, Rajavi stated: "ISIS's conduct clearly benefits the Iranian regime's Supreme Leader Khamenei, who wholeheartedly welcomes it as an opportunity to overcome his regime's regional and international impasse and isolation. The founder and the number one state sponsor of terror is thus trying to switch the place of murderer and the victim and portray the central banker of terrorism as a victim."
A 10-point manifesto published by Rajavi sets out a programme to transform Iran. She states her commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to other similar international organizations. She calls for the abolition of the death penalty, the creation of a modern legal system and the independence of judges. Rajavi would end Tehran's funding of Hamas, Hezbollah and other militant groups and is committed to peaceful coexistence, relations with all countries and respect for the Charter of the United Nations. The manifesto also contains the statement that "We recognize private property, private investment and the market economy." In June 2020, a majority of members of the USA's House of Representatives backed a "bipartisan resolution" supporting Rajavi and the NCRI's "call for a secular, democratic Iran" while "condemning Iranian state-sponsored terrorism." The resolution, backed by 221 lawmakers (including Louie Gohmert and Sheila Jackson Lee), gave support to Rajavi's 10-point plan for Iran's future (which include "a universal right to vote, market economy, and a non-nuclear Iran") while calling on the prevention of "malign activities of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic missions."
Albania is where most of MEK members are based. In 2024 Rajavi said in a statement that Ebrahim Raisi's death "represents a monumental and irreparable strategic blow to the mullahs' supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the entire regime, notorious for its executions and massacres".
2018 Rally incident
In 2018, Vienna-based Iranian diplomat Asadollah Asadi was tried and sentenced to 20 years in prison in a high-profile case for masterminding a terrorism plot against a rally led by Maryam Rajavi. The rally was also attended by civilians and high-profile Westerners scheduled to speak (including Rudy Giuliani, Stephen Harper, and Bill Richardson).
Legal issues
France
On 17 June 2003, Rajavi was arrested by Paris Police Prefecture alongside some 150 MEK members. She and 23 other people were investigated over suspicion of links to terrorism. All charges were later dropped.
Iraq
In July 2010, the Iraqi High Tribunal issued an arrest warrant for 39 MEK members, including Rajavi, "due to evidence that confirms they committed crimes against humanity" by "involvement with the former Iraqi security forces in suppressing the 1991 uprising against the former Iraqi regime and the killing of Iraqi citizens". The MEK have denied the charges, saying that they constitute a "politically motivated decision and it’s the last gift presented from the government of Nuri al-Maliki to the Iranian government".
Trial in absentia
On 29 July 2023, Iran announced that they would try Rajavi and 103 other members of MEK in absentia. The trial against both Rajavi and the 101 other MEK members commenced on 21 December 2023 at a Tehran court, and is ongoing as of April 2024. According to U.S. federal legislative information, these involve "sham trials" of dissident Iranian Resistance veterans in order to have them extradited back to Iran or "justify terror plots against them".
Books
- Great March towards Freedom
- No to Compulsory Religion, No to Compulsory Government Illustrated
- Women, Islam and Fundamentalism
- Iran Will Be Free
- Key to Countering Islamic Fundamentalism
See also
References
Notes
- Banisadr who was affiliated with the National Council of Resistance of Iran from 1981 to 1984, was considered as the "President of Iran" in the claimed government by the council. The office was vacant after Banisadr.
- Since 2003 Massoud Rajavi has disappeared and leadership of the group has practically passed to his wife Maryam Rajavi.
Citations
- Kenneth Katzman (2001). "Iran: The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran". In Albert V. Benliot (ed.). Iran: Outlaw, Outcast, Or Normal Country?. Nova Publishers. p. 97. ISBN 1560729546.
- Kian Parsa (July 2008) . "شورای ملی مقاومت، بنیصدر و رجوی، از ائتلاف تا جدایی". Shahrvand Magazine (in Persian) (52). Archived from the original on 3 October 2013.
- ^ Steven O'Hern (2012). Iran's Revolutionary Guard: The Threat That Grows While America Sleeps. Potomac Books, Inc. p. 208. ISBN 978-1597977012.
- Stephen Sloan; Sean K. Anderson (2009). Historical Dictionary of Terrorism. Historical Dictionaries of War, Revolution, and Civil Unrest (3 ed.). Scarecrow Press. p. 454. ISBN 978-0810863118.
- ^ Connie Bruck (2006). "Exiles: How Iran's expatriates are gaming the nuclear threat". The New Yorker. Vol. 82, no. 1–11. F-R Publishing Corporation. pp. 54–55.
This transition was epitomized by Rajavi's involvement, in 1985, with Maryam Azodanlu. Maryam was already married, to Mehdi Abrishamchi, one of Rajavi's close associates. Rajavi overcame that fact by making the romance a matter of revolutionary necessity. First, he said that he was making Maryam his co-leader-and that it would transform thinking about the role of women throughout the Muslim world. Then, about a month later, it was announced that Maryam was divorced from Abrishamchi and that the two co-leaders would marry, in order to further the "ideological revolution."
- Geyer, Georgie Anne (26 August 1996), Iranian Exiles Have A Committed Leader In Maryam Rajavi, Chicago Tribune, archived from the original on 1 March 2021, retrieved 20 January 2020
- "Profile: Maryam Rajavi". BBC News. 17 June 2003. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^ Sleeman, Elizabeth (2001), "RAJAVI, Maryam", The International Who's Who of Women 2002, Psychology Press, p. 464, ISBN 9781857431223
- ^ Smith, Craig S. (24 September 2005). "Exiled Iranians Try to Foment Revolution From France". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- Goodwin, Jan (31 December 2002). Price of Honor: Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Silence on the Islamic World. Plume. ISBN 9780698157798.
- ^ Katzman, Kenneth (2001). "Iran: The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran". In Benliot, Albert V. (ed.). Iran: Outlaw, Outcast, Or Normal Country?. Nova. pp. 97–98. ISBN 978-1-56072-954-9.
- "Profile: Maryam Rajavi". BBC. 8 July 2003.
- Cohen, Ronen (2009), The Rise and Fall of the Mojahedin Khalq, 1987–1997: Their Survival After the Islamic Revolution and Resistance to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sussex Academic Press, p. 12, ISBN 978-1-84519-270-9
- Muhanad Mohammed. "Iraqi court seeks arrest of Iranian exiles". The Times. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
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- "Parliamentarians lose Maryam Rajavi court battle". Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times. 12 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
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- "اسامی نامزدهای تهران که بیش از ۱۰ هزار رأی آوردهاند" [Names of Tehran candidates who gained more than 10,000 votes], Kayhan (in Persian), no. 10964, p. 3, 5 April 1980 , 15m4471, archived from the original on 29 April 2019, retrieved 20 January 2020 – via The University of Manchester Library
- Cohen, Ronen. "The Triple Exclusion of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization - Their Activities for Human Rights in Iran as a Voice in the Wilderness". Middle Eastern Studies. 49 (6): 952.
The EP's condemnations of Iran continued also in 1992 and focused mainly upon the violations of human rights, the executions , the persecutions of ethnic and religious minorities, the oppression of women and the persecution of government opponents inside and outside Iran, as well as the attempts to assassinate MKO and NCRI leaders ... During that year the EP put much emphasis on women's oppression in Iran. The EP supported Maryam Rajavi's messages that demanded the international community act specially in favor of women's rights
- Human Rights in Iran, Debate in the UK House of Commons, House of Commons Hansard, 28 June 2016 Archived 13 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 Archived 28 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine. © Crown copyright.
- "Congressional leaders urge Biden to take tough stand on Iran". Arab News. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
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- Struan, Stevenson. "Mike Pompeo offers momentous support for Iranian opposition". UPI. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- Just because ISIS attacked Iran doesn't mean Iran isn't supporting terrorism Archived 19 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017
- Iran: Human Rights Debate in the UK House of Lords, House of Lord Hansard, 8 December 2016 Archived 13 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 Archived 28 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine. © Crown copyright.
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- "Majority of House members back resolution supporting Iranian opposition, condemning regime's terror". Fox News. 17 June 2020. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- "'The world is watching': Lawmakers tout bipartisan resolution condemning Iran". 17 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- Kingsley (16 February 2020). "Highly Secretive Iranian Rebels Are Holed Up in Albania. They Gave Us a Tour". The New York Times.
- "Exiled opposition group says Raisi death 'monumental blow' to Iran". France 24.
- Alinejad, Masih; Safai, Darya (22 July 2022). "Opinion | A Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card for Iranian Terrorists". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022 – via www.wsj.com.
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Rajavi's wife Maryam, leader of the French-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the PMOI's political wing, was also included in the warrant, Abdul Sahib added.
- "محاکمه مریم رجوی و 103 عضو منافقین در تهران + اسامی و جزئیات". شهر خبر (in Persian). 29 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- "آغاز دور جدید دادگاه رسیدگی به اتهامات سرکردگان گروهک تروریستی منافقین". IRNA (in Persian). 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- "H.Res.1148 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)". Congress.gov. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- Rajavi, Maryam (20 March 2020). Great March Towards Freedom: Maryam Rajavi's Messages and Speeches to the Annual Gatherings of Iranian Resistance at Ashraf 3 - Albania July 2019. National Council of Resistance of Iran. ISBN 978-2-491615-01-7.
- "No to Compulsory Veil: No to Compulsory Religion, No to Compulsory Government". NCRI. 16 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- Maryam Rajavi. Women, Islam & Fundamentalism (pdf). Paris. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- Rajavī, Maryam (18 September 2018). Iran Will Be Free: Speech by Maryam Rajavi. NCRI-US. ISBN 978-1-944942-21-2.
- "Key to Countering Islamic Fundamentalism". NCRI. 24 July 2015. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
External links
Party political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded byMassoud Rajavias Leader of People's Mujahedin of Iran | Co-leader of People's Mujahedin of Iran 1985–present Served alongside: Massoud Rajavi |
Incumbent |
VacantTitle last held byAbolhassan Banisadr as President of Iran in pretence |
President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran 1993–present | |
Preceded byMassoud Rajavi | Secretary-General of People's Mujahedin of Iran 1989–1993 |
Succeeded byFahimeh Arvani |
New title | Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the People's Mujahedin of Iran military wing 1987–1993 |
Vacant |
- 1953 births
- Living people
- Politicians from Tehran
- Sharif University of Technology alumni
- 21st-century Iranian women politicians
- 21st-century Iranian politicians
- Iranian emigrants to France
- Fugitives wanted by Iraq
- National Council of Resistance of Iran members
- Fugitives wanted on crimes against humanity charges
- Iranian Islamists
- Shia Islamists
- People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran politicians
- 20th-century Iranian women politicians
- 20th-century Iranian politicians