Hon. Charlie Weimers MEP
Member of the Sweden Democrats, part of European Conservatives and Reformists.
Hammarö, Sweden
Honorable Charlie Weimers,
My unbound thanks to the Honorable Charlie Weimers, the distinguished MEP of the Swedish government, and the people of Sweden for your exemplary stance and unceasing efforts in support of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. I only wish that the United States government would follow in your footsteps.
Earlier last year, the Islamic Republic selected a new president, Ebrahim Raisi, whose manner, style, and language starkly contrast to his predecessor’s posturing and belligerent behavior, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In July 1988, he decreed that all prisoners steadfast in their support for the opposition and “waging war on God” were “condemned to execution.” He reportedly issued a second or related fatwa focusing on members of communist and leftist parties as well as people charged with apostasy
All of us who long have felt despair over the Iranian regime’s baneful influence abroad and its ruthless oppression of its own people want to believe that the country is genuinely committed to positive change at home and in its foreign relations, but the opposite is true.
But we do not have the luxury of being naïve. Nor do the Iranian people, who have suffered for far too long. Standing in front of cameras and tweeting about change is all too easy. The hard part is following through, making difficult decisions, and undertaking meaningful change. We must judge the Iranian government by its deeds, not its words. Selected President Raisi marked his first 100 days in office, and, by any measure, these deeds have fallen short.
As we all witnessed, the latest wave of protests, supported by different social strata and ethnic and religious minorities, has left a deep mark and changed society. The courage to resist and solidarity among the oppressed have grown across all generations. This revolution is underway in Iran, and it was started by women who have managed to win their cause.
Once again, I thank you for your continuing support of the valiant Iranian people. Meanwhile, the EU has failed us again in recognizing the Iranian revolution.
Sincerely yours,
Amil Imani
