Regime change portends the end of religious extremism

We are all in agreement that you deserve to be free, independent and democratic. We are that for sure. Well, unfortunately, the people of Iran have been suppressed for 38 years. Thirty-eight years. Suppressed by your theocratic regime, Islamic extremism and fundamentalism.

Meanwhile, we are coming. Why? Because in current form, it started with the regime of the ayatollahs. The regime of the ayatollahs is the base of extremism. So the people of Iran are very right and deserve to get at least a better regime. They deserve to have freedom and democracy. They deserve to have free elections through which they can elect their true representatives and not those who have been elected by the supreme leader.

Change in Iran will open the way to end the extremism in all the regions — the extremism born in the name of Islam throughout the region. This is not because Islam is a good ground for terrorism. These people are using Islam as a tool for extremism and murdering.

You have not only your role and a necessity of changing Iran, but changing Iran is certainly the beginning of a real change for democracy in the whole region.

I want to also congratulate Madame Rajavi because it’s always a lesson, and if I was very imprudent, I would say a lesson of charm, but I can’t say so. It’s a lesson of political truths, talking in the name of the mujahideen, Madame Rajavi is a good example. She is not only a good example but the beginning of a real perspective to change the regime for democracy. An Islamic lady to be president of Iran should be the beginning of a huge, immense change. So another time, Madame Rajavi, congratulations and thank you. Muslims who are calling for gender equality, separation of religion and state — we have the example of what Madame Rajavi said. And another time for the third time, thank you.

• Bernard Kouchner, M.D., is a former French minister of foreign affairs and founder of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World).