The presence of a representative from an institution linked to the Iranian regime on the podium at the Anti-Fascist Conference for the Sovereignty of Peoples in Porto Alegre was deeply shocking. The Fourth International delegation was unaware of this presence until they saw him on the podium. Our comrade Rafael Bernabe, speaking from the same podium, clearly denounced both the war being waged against Iran and the regime’s bloody repression of the mass protests. For us, full solidarity with the Iranian people cannot imply solidarity with the bloodthirsty regime that oppresses them. Another representative of the Iranian people should have been invited to denounce the US and Israeli war against Iran and, at the same time, demand their right to freedom and social justice.
This invitation was a grave mistake, which does not detract from the success of the Porto Alegre Conference in many areas and the considerable work carried out by the teams who organised it. It does, however, highlight the work that lies ahead of us in building a militant, uncompromising anti-fascism and anti-imperialism that is equal to the challenges at hand. We will contribute to this with all our strength.
The Secretariat of the Executive Committee of the Fourth International 29 April 2026