By Amr Gohar
Rome, Italy , A series of high-profile events in Rome brought together Italian lawmakers, former world leaders, diplomats, and international supporters of the Iranian opposition to discuss Iran’s human rights situation and express support for democratic change led by the Iranian people.
The events included a hearing before the Italian Senate’s Human Rights Committee, a bipartisan conference at the Italian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies, and an international gathering of former prime ministers, foreign ministers, and senior policymakers from Europe and North America.
At the Italian Senate, Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), addressed the Human Rights Committee at its invitation. Speaking before senators, Rajavi said Iran’s human rights situation has significantly deteriorated, citing approximately 2,400 executions since her previous appearance before the committee. She urged European governments to condition diplomatic and economic relations with Tehran on ending executions, hold Iranian officials accountable for alleged crimes against humanity, and refer Iran’s human rights record to the United Nations Security Council.
Senator Stefania Pucciarelli, who chaired the session, reaffirmed the committee’s longstanding concern over human rights violations in Iran and called for a stronger European response to the regime’s execution campaign.
Former Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, now chairman of the Senate’s European Affairs Committee, described developments in Iran as a matter of international concern and emphasized the importance of engaging with what he called Iran’s “genuine opposition.” Other senators voiced concern over the growing number of executions and discussed ways to strengthen international support for the Iranian people.
Later, at the Italian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies, lawmakers and international figures gathered for a conference titled “The Iran Crisis and the Democratic Solution for the Future.” Participants included Vice President of the Chamber Fabio Rampelli, Senator Giulio Terzi, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy.
Opening the conference, Member of Parliament Naike Gruppioni described Rajavi as a symbol of hope for Iranians seeking democracy, praising her advocacy for human rights, gender equality, and the separation of religion and state.
In her keynote speech, Rajavi argued that the Iranian government continues to rely on domestic repression, its nuclear program, and regional activities to maintain power. She called on European governments to support the Iranian people’s aspirations for democratic change, stating that lasting stability in the Middle East depends on the establishment of a democratic republic in Iran.
Several speakers echoed that position. Giulio Terzi called for a more principled European policy toward Tehran, while Senator Marco Scurria expressed bipartisan parliamentary support for a democratic Iran. Giuliani described the NCRI as the only organized democratic alternative capable of leading a political transition, and Patrick Kennedy emphasized that international policy should prioritize human rights while supporting the Iranian people rather than pursuing military intervention.
The Rome events concluded with an international conference titled “Iran: Beyond War, Human Rights and the Power of the People as the Solution,” bringing together former prime ministers, diplomats, and senior political leaders from Europe and North America.
Participants argued that neither military intervention nor continued engagement with the current Iranian government offers a sustainable solution, instead emphasizing support for democratic change led by the Iranian people and the organized opposition.
Addressing the conference, Rajavi rejected both the current ruling system and a return to monarchy, advocating for a democratic republic based on her Ten-Point Plan.
Former Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said diplomacy alone would not resolve Iran’s crisis and called for stronger international backing for the NCRI. Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt urged European governments to deepen engagement with the Iranian people and recognize the democratic opposition, while former British Defense Secretary Sir Liam Fox argued that lasting change must come from within Iran through its own people.
Across all three events, participants shared a common message that Iran’s worsening human rights situation demands greater international attention and that the country’s future should be determined by the Iranian people through democratic change rather than foreign military intervention or continued accommodation of the current government.
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