Condemnation of Iranian Regime on Thursday, 7 August 2025, at the invitation of the Iranian Women’s Association–Australia, and hosted by Ms Sonia Hornery, Deputy Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (Labor Party), and Ms Jacqui Munro, Shadow Minister for Communications (Liberal Party), a forum titled “Iran: Repression, Resistance, and Global Implications” was held in the Jubilee Room of the NSW Parliament.
The forum marked the 37th anniversary of the massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners in the summer of 1988—a crime against humanity and genocide. The forum kept alive the memory of those heroes who, by saying “No” to dictatorship and submission, shaped the history of the Iranian people’s resistance.
The forum was chaired by Mr Peter Murphy, Co-Secretary of the Australian Supporters of Democracy in Iran Committee, and featured the following speakers:
- The Honourable Sonia Hornery MLA, Deputy Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly
- The Honourable Jacqui Munro MLC, Shadow Minister for Communications, NSW
- Dr Hugh McDermott MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General
- The Honourable Cameron Murphy MLC, Deputy Government Whip in the Legislative Council
- Mr Alopi Latukefu, Director of the Global Centre for Social Justice and Advocacy Leadership
- Reverend Bill Crews, Founder of the Bill Crews Foundation
- Ms Safoura Saadidi, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
- Ms Niloofar Shakiba, representing the Iranian Women’s Association–Australia
Key themes of the forum included:
- Condemnation of the ongoing and widespread human rights violations in Iran, particularly the execution of political prisoners and the intensifying repression they face.
- Warning of the imminent risk of mass executions and the urgent need for international action.
- Support for the “Third Option” proposed by the NCRI and Mrs Maryam Rajavi as an alternative to the two failed policies of war and appeasement toward the ruling religious dictatorship in Iran.
- Recognition of the leading role of Iranian women in the struggle for freedom and justice.
- Affirmation of support for the Resistance Units as the core of the Iranian people’s organised movement against repression.
- A call for recognition of the Iranian people’s right to resist and for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as the regime’s primary instrument of oppression to be listed as a terrorist organisation.
The forum was attended by representatives of prominent human rights and community organisations, whose valuable support and participation were acknowledged, including:
- The Refugee Council of Australia, Human Rights Watch, Officials and executives from the NSW Council of Communities, The Director of Roots, and the members of the Iranian-Australian community in Sydney, including activists and supporters of freedom in Iran.
Notable statements from speakers included:
- Sonia Hornery: “I am very pleased to declare my solidarity with you and with the people of Iran.”
- Jacqui Munro: “In 2023, we decisively passed a resolution in support of the people of Iran. Today, I am reading that resolution for you,.. and we are currently working to uphold it.”
- Dr Hugh McDermott: “Iran will be free, and I look forward to the day I can visit a free Iran. I want you to know you will always have my support.”
- Cameron Murphy: “I am pleased to support this cause because it is a just cause… It is essential that we all stand together in this remarkable struggle for a free and democratic Iran.”
The forum at the NSW State Parliament, attended by representatives of major political parties, human rights organisations, and members of the Iranian-Australian community, once again demonstrated that the voice of the Iranian people against repression and injustice resonates far beyond Iran’s borders.
This gathering not only honoured the victims of the 1988 massacre but also served as a platform for uniting political and civil forces in Australia in support of practical, justice-based solutions.
Condemnation of Iranian Regime
The clear message of the event was a shared commitment to resisting the religious dictatorship, defending the right to resistance, and working towards a free, democratic, and execution-free Iran. The solidarity and open support expressed by Australian parliamentarians strengthened the hope of freedom fighters in Iran and paved the way for future cooperation.
Finally, heartfelt appreciation is extended to the Australian Supporters of Democracy in Iran Committee, the Association to Defence Freedom & Human Rights in Iran–Australia, the Iranian Women’s Association, as well as Ms Sonia Hornery and Ms Jacqui Munro, for their instrumental role in making this forum possible.
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