Friends of a Free Iran (FoFI)

 For immediate release: 2 June 2012

Euro MPs: Clinton must promptly delist PMOI/MEK, following Court ruling

The Friends of a Free Iran intergroup in European Parliament warmly welcomes the decision of the US Federal Court of Appeal, ordering the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to review the designation of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) on the Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) list within four months.
“Should the Secretary fail to take action within the four-month period, the petition for writ of mandamus setting aside the FTO designation will be granted,” the court stressed.
In a historical and unprecedented decision, the court stresses: “We have been given no sufficient reason why the Secretary, in the last 600 days, has not been able to make a decision which the Congress gave her only 180 days to make” under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act.
During a seven-year legal battle in Europe, courts found absolutely no reason why the PMOI had been maintained on the UK and EU black lists and even called the decision to maintain their designation as “perverse”, thus subsequently forcing the EU to annul the designation. Therefore as experience has shown, the State Department would be better off to face the truth and take a decision to remove the designation immediately instead of waiting to be forced to do so by the court in four months time.
We commend Mrs Maryam Rajavi for her unfailing courage and exemplary leadership during this lengthy and painstaking process. We congratulate all the lawmakers, human rights campaigners, families and relatives and supporters of the PMOI and the courageous residents of Camps Ashraf & Liberty for this great achievement.

Struan Stevenson MEP
Chair, Friends of a Free Iran intergroup
European Parliament

Friends of a Free Iran intergroup was formed in 2004 and enjoys the active support of over 200 MEPs from various political groups

 Friends of a Free Iran intergroup in the European Parliament (FoFI) Chair: Struan Stevenson (ECR) Vice Chairs: Stephen Hughes (S&D Vice-President); Jim Higgins (EPP) Soren Sondergaard (GUE); Jan Zahradil (ECR Vice President); Tunne Kelam (EPP);