The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) is a political coalition of Iran’s democratic opposition groups and figures which was founded in 1981 with the aim of unseating the “religious dictatorship” in Iran. The NCRI acts as a Parliament-in-Exile and is comprised of well-known political figures and representatives of religious minorities and ethnic groups; 52% of its members are women.
The NCRI advocates a democratic, pluralist and secular system of government; is committed to a nuclear-free Iran; advocates normalized relations with all the governments of the region and the world; guarantees the individual and social rights stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international covenants; guarantees separation of Church and State, gender equality, autonomy for Iranian Kurds, abolition of the death penalty; and advocates elimination of all forms of discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities.
Maryam Rajavi
Ms. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, has declared the NCRI’s “Ten-Point Plan for Future of Iran”:
1. From our point of view, the ballot box is the only criterion for legitimacy. Accordingly, we seek a republic based on popular vote.
2. We want a pluralist system, freedom of parties and assembly. In Iran of tomorrow, we will respect all individual freedoms. Expression of opinion, speech and the media are completely free and any censorship or inquisition is banned.
3. In the free Iran of tomorrow, we support and are committed to the abolition of death penalty.
4. The Iranian Resistance will establish the separation of the church and the State. Any form of discrimination against the followers of all religions and denominations will be prohibited.
5. We believe in complete gender equality in political and social rights. We also committed to equal participation of women in political leadership. Any form of discrimination against women will be abolished. They will enjoy the right to freely choose their clothing.
6. We want to set up a modern legal system based on the principles of presumption of innocence, the right to defense, and the right to be tried in a public court. We also seek the total independence of judges. Cruel and degrading punishments will have no place in the future Iran.
7. We are committed to the Universal Declaration of Humans Rights, and international covenants and conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention Against Torture, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of discrimination Against Women.
8. We recognize private property, private investment and the market economy.
9. Our foreign policy will be based on peaceful coexistence, international and regional peace and cooperation, as well as respect for the United Nations Charter. We will establish relations will all countries.
10. We want the free Iran of tomorrow to be devoid of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.