Mr. Chair, honourable members of the committee, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for this opportunity to speak on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, in Iran and the current situation in Iran.
It's crucial to distinguish legitimacy from legality when addressing the question of power in Iran. From my research into the ideological-political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is clear that the regime's legitimacy is crumbling considerably. This is illustrated by recurrent protest movements, systematic challenges and increasing absenteeism at elections. For example, in the parliamentary elections of March 1, 2024, turnout was just 41%, the lowest since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
I can also give the example of the euphoric reaction following the announcement of President Raisi's death. This reaction is indicative of the state of mind of a significant part of the Iranian population. This sense of relief and joy highlighted the deep opposition and accumulated exasperation regarding a regime perceived as oppressive, authoritarian and illegitimate.
This lack of political legitimacy profoundly weakens the authority of any regime, even if it is not democratic, and this forms an essential basis for assessing its stability and acceptability to the people, in this case the Iranian people.
Iran is currently governed by a political system considered by part of its population to be anachronistic. The Islamic Republic of Iran presents itself as a theocracy, while the country's women and young people aspire to a clear separation between the religious and political spheres. Even non-democratic regimes have to rely on a legitimate and legal basis to maintain their power. Yet how is this regime legitimate in the eyes of the Iranian people, especially after the many testimonies we have heard today?
The actions, practices and deeds of the Islamic Republic of Iran are profoundly illegitimate and illegal, both under international law and international conventions, as are the many human rights abuses it perpetuates. Numerous examples of these abuses have been reported to you by committed collectives such as the Iranian Justice Collective, notably by Ms. Nazanin Afshin‑Jam, Mr. Saeid Dehghan and Ms. Nima Machouf. This is therefore corroborated by the many testimonies of those present here.
I will now talk more specifically about the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its power has grown considerably since its creation in 1979. Originally, it was a military organization founded to protect the revolutionary values of 1979. Its independence from the traditional Iranian army has enabled it to become an influential and formidable armed force.
The IRGC is not only a military force, it has also become deeply involved in Iran's economy, politics and intelligence services. The strengthening of its means of action and influence has made it a key player in the Iranian political landscape.
The IRGC has transformed itself into a real power within Iran. It controls key sectors of the economy, notably the oil and gas industries, and owns numerous companies that serve as front companies. In addition, it plays a central role in suppressing internal dissent and projecting Iranian influence abroad, as well as supporting various non-state groups in the region.
Today, the Iranian people are courageously fighting against the forced Islamization of society. This is an ideology that, despite the efforts of the IRGC, has partly failed. The Women, Life, Freedom movement is a poignant illustration of this. This struggle for freedom and human rights is not only vital for Iran, but also has repercussions throughout the region and the world.
Islamization by force is a terror that weighs heavily, threatening peace and stability not only in Iran and the Middle East, but also in Europe, Canada and the world, as witnessed by repeated attacks and hostage-takings targeting western nationals.
To conclude, I would say that it is imperative to actively support the Iranian people in their fight against this oppressive ideology.
The future also rests on your political and institutional capacity to highlight the illegitimacy and illegality of the Iranian regime before all international and national bodies. Your role as a defender of democratic and humanist values can considerably strengthen the ability of Iranians to overcome this state repression and re-establish a political system that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms. The international community must stand resolutely alongside those fighting for a free and democratic Iran by vigorously denouncing human rights violations and applying targeted sanctions against their perpetrators.
Thank you for your attention.