23rd February 2025

For immediate release

The Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights (CODIR), at its Central Council this weekend, agreed to raise the profile of its solidarity work with the people of Iran.  Following up on the resolutions passed at its AGM in December 2024, the solidarity organisation prioritised supporting Iranian workers in their organised struggle for economic, political, and social rights and for a political transition away from theocratic dictatorship; opposing any foreign military intervention aimed at regime change in Iran under any pretext whatsoever; giving full support to the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement; and calling for a halt to all executions as well as freedom for political prisoners in Iran.     

In his report on current developments CODIR Assistant General Secretary, Jamshid Ahmadi, stressed the dangers of wider developments in the Middle East for the people of Iran and the degree of suffering they are already experiencing.

He outlined that the Iranian economy is on the verge of total collapse owing to both internal factors, relating to disastrous regime mismanagement, as well as the continuation of economic and banking sanctions imposed by the US and the EU on Iran.  Inflation has been running between around 35% to above 50% over the past few years, while the Iranian national currency has lost 32% of its value against the US dollar since September 2024.

“The positions taken by US President Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu give us grave cause for concern regarding the potential for an immanent attack on Iran”, said Mr. Ahmadi.  “The suffering of the people is such that even official figures now indicate that over 50% of the population are living below the poverty line.  Outside intervention will only make that worse and must be resisted at all costs.” 

He further stressed: “Iranian people have demonstrated that the future of the country and how a future Iran, free of theocratic rule, should be governed is a matter to be determined by them and only them…  While principled international solidarity naturally plays an important role in making the process of transition towards a National Democratic Republic easier, CODIR warns against any imperialist designs for the future of Iran and its peoples.”

The meeting agreed to redouble efforts to work with affiliates and partners in the trades union and peace movements to highlight the dangers of war and also to continue to raise the human rights issues in relation to political prisoners and the increasing number of executions.

The meeting recognised that recent protests to demand the freedom of opposition leaders who have been under house arrest for 14 years indicate that the tolerance of ordinary people for the lack of democracy in Iran is wearing very thin.

Moving forward it was agreed that a clear Communications Strategy would be essential to counter misinformation and misunderstandings about the position of Iran in the international arena and to stress that the future of Iran must be with the Iranian people.

ENDS

Further information for Editors

Contact Information for CODIR:

Postal Address:
B.M.CODIR
London
WC1N 3XX
UK
Website: www.codir.net
E-mail: [email protected]

Further information on CODIR

CODIR is the Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights.  It has been established since 1981 and has consistently campaigned to expose human rights abuses in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

CODIR has worked closely with the trade union movement in the UK, the peace movement, all major political parties, and Amnesty International to press the case for an end to torture in Iran’s prisons.  Major trade unions in Britain are affiliated to CODIR and support its campaign for peace, human and democratic rights, and social justice in Iran.

CODIR has published Iran Today, its quarterly journal, since 1981, explaining the latest developments in Iran and the most effective way that the British public opinion could demonstrate its solidarity with the people of Iran.

In recent years CODIR has worked closely with the Stop the War Coalition and has been vocal against any form of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the nation.