For the third consecutive year, the Munich Security Conference has excluded the Iranian government, featuring activists like Masih Alinejad instead. Reza Pahlavi, barred from attending, criticized the decision as an affront to the voices of the Iranian people. Protests are scheduled outside the conference, which will address significant issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and human rights violations.
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) has once again excluded the Iranian government from its proceedings for the third consecutive year, opting instead to feature US-based Iranian women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad in multiple panel discussions. This exclusion has raised significant concerns among Iranian activists regarding representation and dialogue on crucial issues affecting Iran.
Former Iranian crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, who attended the 2023 conference following widespread protests in Iran, has expressed frustration at being disinvited twice prior. He accused the German government of allowing Iran’s leaders to manipulate the situation in Berlin, suggesting that this demonstrates a troubling acquiescence to the Iranian regime’s influence.
Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, who chaired the MSC, consulted with the German government before formally inviting Pahlavi. However, the invitation was blocked, leading Pahlavi to declare on Twitter that such intervention positions Germany unfavorably in historical terms. He believes this decision contributes to undermining the voices of the Iranian people during a critical moment in the nation’s struggle for freedom.
Pahlavi reiterated his determination to advocate for Iranian liberation in response to the exclusion, stating that the decision to sideline him was an attempt to silence civil voices in Iran. “This was about silencing all those who stand for freedom, justice, and dignity. And that we will not stand for,” he asserted, highlighting the universal goal of liberty among the Iranian populace.
Despite being barred from the conference, Pahlavi remains resolute in his commitment to visit Munich and connect with international allies, emphasizing the importance of self-determination in the fight against Iran’s oppressive regime. He insists that it is the Iranian people who will ultimately chart their own course towards liberation without reliance on foreign intervention.
A spokesperson from the German Foreign Ministry clarified that while the government collaborates with the conference, MSC retains independent authority over invitation decisions. This disconnect has led to protests outside the venue, organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), also known as MEK, challenging the validity of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic engagement.
Pahlavi and Alinejad have urged Western nations to adopt a tougher approach towards the Iranian government, particularly concerning its nuclear ambitions and human rights violations. Although Iranian representatives will not attend, discussions about the nation’s challenges will certainly feature prominently in conference panels.
Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People’s Mujahedin of Iran and a prominent figure in the resistance movement, issued a statement supporting the protests outside the conference. She declared, “The clerical regime is in its final phase. The Iranian people… are resolute in their quest to overthrow the regime.” Rajavi called for an end to foreign investments in Iran and urged the international community to support the Iranian people’s quest for democracy and freedom.
The Munich Security Conference’s ongoing exclusion of Iranian officials reflects a broader critique of Western engagement with Iran. While figures such as Reza Pahlavi and Masih Alinejad participate in discussions advocating for democratic reform, the absence of direct representation from the Iranian government raises pressing concerns about human rights and nuclear policies. The protests outside the conference underscore the urgent calls from Iranian dissidents for international support against the existing regime.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
