Iranian Community in Belgium

Iranian Community in Belgium statement following the passing of the co-chairman of the British Committee for Iran Freedom, Sir David Amess MP,


It is with great shock and sadness that we learned of the passing of Sir David Amess MP, the co-chairman of the British Committee for Iran Freedom (BCFIF) after being stabbed in a constituency meeting in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

The Iranian Community in Belgium condemns this vicious attack, which was an assault not only on Sir David but also on democracy in the UK. We extend our condolences to his family, wife, and children. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, his staff, and parliamentary colleagues at this difficult time.

Sir David was a champion of human rights and democracy in Iran for more than three decades. He consistently spoke in support of the Iranian people’s democratic aspirations and the Iranian Resistance movement, NCRI. During his time in the parliament, he frequently raised the many serious threats from the regime in Tehran at parliamentary conferences, debates, and in Early Days Motions advocating for a firm policy on Iran focused on human rights and holding the regime to account for its violations of those rights and terrorism.

Sir David met on many occasions with the president-elect of the NCRI, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi. He also led a strong, cross-party delegation of British MPs and Peers to several gatherings of the Iranian Resistance movement, NCRI, in Paris presenting statements of support for a free and democratic Iran signed by hundreds of parliamentarians.

Sir David was among the 35 MPs and Peers who led the successful legal campaign against the politically motivated proscription of the main Iranian opposition movement, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), in the United Kingdom in 2007. He was also relentless in his efforts to secure the safety and well-being of the combatants of freedom in camps Ashraf and Liberty in Iraq and their safe and successful relocation to Albania and other European countries.

“One of the proudest things I have ever done in my political career is to support the National Council of Resistance of Iran which calls for the Iranian regime to be replaced with a safer and more democratic government,” Sir David declared on 6th September 2021.

The day before the stabbing attack, Sir David wrote an article in Townhall highlighting the involvement of the Iranian regime’s President Ebrahim Raisi in the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran and supporting the call by the Anglo-Iranian community to arrest him if attended the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow in November.

Ultimately, Sir David passed away doing what he loved most, namely serving his constituency. He will be remembered for his kindness and commitment, missed not only by the people of Southend West but also by millions of Iranians dreaming about a free Iran, who have lost a dear friend and their champion today.

For Iranians he was a pioneer of human rights, as it has be reflected by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, David Amess was an enemy of dictators, especially the mullahs’ dictatorship in Iran. For forty years, he stood relentlessly with the Iranian people for freedom and against religious fascism. After four decades of full and humble support of Sir David Amess for the Iranian Resistance and people, he will be remembered among the martyrs of freedom.

Iranian Community in Belgium (Download the file)