By Amr Gohar
PARIS, France — More than 100,000 people are expected to gather in Paris on June 20 for a major international rally calling for an end to the escalating wave of political executions and religious persecution in Iran.
The event has drawn support from 31 prominent Christian leaders, including archbishops, bishops, archdeacons, deans, and senior clergy from across Europe and the United Kingdom. Among the signatories are Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Moderator of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and former Chair of the Evangelical Church in Germany.
In a statement backing the rally, the church leaders warned that Iran’s human rights situation is rapidly deteriorating, expressing alarm over the increasing use of executions against political dissidents and the continuing persecution of religious minorities.
“There can be no doubt that the aggressive violence of the Iranian regime towards its own people is increasing steadily at the moment,” Rowan Williams said. “I have heard for myself the evidence sent from within Iranian jails of the cruelties and illegalities suffered by so many. We cannot be silent in the face of this situation.”
The statement alleges that Iranian authorities have used the climate of war to intensify domestic repression and suppress growing dissent. It says dozens of prisoners have been executed following unfair trials and coerced confessions, while legal safeguards and due process protections have increasingly been set aside.
According to the signatories, many of those executed were accused of links to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), while others were young protesters arrested during nationwide demonstrations. The church leaders said many more prisoners remain on death row.
The statement also highlights the treatment of religious minorities, particularly Christians. Referring to a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2025, the church leaders cited ongoing restrictions on freedom of religion, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and persecution directed at members of minority faiths.
Gathering for a Free Iran
On June 20, Iranians will gather in Paris. According to organizers, the event is in support of a free, democratic, and secular republic in Iran, while rejecting all forms of dictatorship and calling for international condemnation of executions in Iran.… pic.twitter.com/uiSguGcbAH
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) May 25, 2026
They also referenced a June 2025 report by the UN Secretary-General documenting cases of Christians being arrested while gathering for religious observances, including Christmas celebrations. According to the statement, Christian pastors and converts have faced imprisonment, persecution, and, in some cases, death because of their faith.
Organizers say the Paris rally aims to draw international attention to the growing number of executions and alleged human rights violations in Iran, including restrictions imposed on Christians and other religious minorities. They are calling for urgent international action to halt executions and protect fundamental freedoms.
The gathering will also express support for the establishment of a democratic republic in Iran based on the Ten-Point Plan proposed by Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The plan calls for free elections, separation of religion and state, gender equality, abolition of the death penalty, and equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion or background.
As tens of thousands prepare to gather in the French capital, organizers say they hope the event will send a clear message that the international community must not remain silent in the face of executions, religious persecution, and the denial of fundamental human rights in Iran. They also argue that any international agreement aimed at ending the current conflict should include guarantees to halt the execution of political prisoners and protect peaceful protesters. The Paris gathering is also expected to feature a number of prominent international political and security figures. Among those scheduled to attend are Charles Michel, President of the European Council from 2019 to 2024; General James Jones, former U.S. National Security Advisor under President Barack Obama and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe; Ambassador Robert Joseph, former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security; Dr. Liam Fox, former UK Secretary of State for Defence and former Secretary of State for International Trade; David Jones, former UK Minister for Brexit and former Secretary of State for Wales; Ambassador Carla Sands, former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark; Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield Jr., former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs; Geir Haarde, former Prime Minister of Iceland; Petre Roman, former Prime Minister of Romania; Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former Vice-President of the European Parliament and survivor of an assassination attempt in Madrid in 2023 that Spanish authorities linked to Iran-backed operatives; John Baird, Canada’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs; John Bercow, former Speaker of the UK House of Commons; Louis Freeh, former Director of the FBI; Linda Chavez, former Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison; and Ingrid Betancourt, Colombian political leader, former presidential candidate, and human rights advocate.