On November 25, 2025, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a significant conference was convened in the Netherlands featuring prominent European politicians, legal experts, and human rights advocates. The event, held in The Hague, focused on the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, the surge in state-sponsored executions, and the central role of women in the struggle for a democratic republic.
The conference brought together a diverse panel including former ministers, senators, and members of parliament from the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Speakers united in their condemnation of the clerical regime’s misogynistic laws and offered a platform for the “Third Option” regarding Iran: a policy that rejects both foreign military intervention and appeasement, relying instead on the Iranian people and their organized Resistance movement to bring about regime change.
The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). In her remarks, Mrs. Rajavi positioned the struggle for women’s rights not merely as a social issue, but as a central pillar of the political fight against the clerical regime. She argued that the religious dictatorship is the “worst enemy of women,” having institutionalized violence through discriminatory laws, forced veiling, and the dehumanization of women as second-class citizens.
Conference – Netherlands – On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
On the International Day for the Elimination of #VAW, I send my greetings to all women who resist violence and all forms of oppression, inequality, and tyranny.
On this day, above… pic.twitter.com/j99c9cD1Vm— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) November 25, 2025
Mrs. Rajavi provided grim statistics to illustrate the regime’s brutality, noting that at least 53 women have been hanged in Iran so far in 2025. However, she emphasized that the violence extends beyond physical punishment to systemic political repression. She highlighted the plight of female political prisoners, thousands of whom have been tortured or executed over the decades, including during the 1988 massacre. She specifically mentioned the recent death of political prisoner Somayeh Rashidi due to delayed medical care and the imminent death sentence facing Zahra Tabari.
Despite this oppression, Mrs. Rajavi heralded the resilience of Iranian women, declaring that they have turned the page on victimhood to become leaders of the uprising. She outlined the NCRI’s vision for a future Iran, which includes the separation of religion and state, gender equality, the abolition of the death penalty, and a non-nuclear republic.
“The greatest violence against women is political repression. Under this regime, tens of thousands of female political prisoners have been tortured or executed,” Mrs. Rajavi stated. She further asserted, “Bringing down this regime is a decisive step in the global fight against violence against women and their repression.”
Concluding her address, Mrs. Rajavi called on the Dutch government and European leaders to fundamentally shift their policy. She urged them to condition all trade and diplomatic relations with Tehran on a halt to executions and to formally designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Conference in the Netherlands on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Bringing down the clerical regime Is a decisive step in fighting #VAW#WomenForce4Changehttps://t.co/ZnFYQlZehs pic.twitter.com/XWgs5WEwK5— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) November 25, 2025
Dorien Rookmaker, a former Member of the European Parliament and the conference moderator, opened the event by framing the struggle of Iranian women as a fight for dignity and self-determination. She challenged the narrative that focuses solely on the hijab, clarifying that the resistance in Iran is a comprehensive battle against dictatorship in all its forms. Rookmaker emphasized that the Iranian people have rejected both the current theocracy and the return to monarchical rule, citing the slogan, “No to compulsory hijab, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory governance.”
Rookmaker shared her personal journey of supporting the Iranian Resistance, noting that she faced aggression and threats not only from the regime but also from supporters of the Shah’s dictatorship. She encouraged parliamentarians to remain steadfast against such intimidation. Praising the leadership of Maryam Rajavi, she described the Ten-Point Plan as a vision for a new era of freedom. “Iranian women are not victims. Iranian women are warriors. They lead protests, endure torture, and play central roles in the Resistance Units, refusing to be silenced,” Rookmaker declared. She reaffirmed that the solution to the crisis lies in establishing a democratic republic founded on gender equality.
I am pleased to announce that Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the joint opposition in Iran, graciously joined us as a key note speaker at the conference held today in the Hague. In attendance were numerous Dutch senators, members of parliament, scientists, and international… https://t.co/a5TmP25ePA
— Dorien Rookmaker (@RookmakerDorien) November 25, 2025
Prof. Dr. Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former Federal Minister of Justice of Germany, delivered a powerful legal and political critique of the international community’s inaction. Speaking from the perspective of a lifelong human rights advocate, she expressed outrage that despite universally known facts about torture and mass executions in Iran, Western governments have failed to act decisively. She stressed that the binding nature of human rights must be restored globally and that “criminal regimes like the one in Iran have to be brought down.”
Dr. Däubler-Gmelin outlined a five-point approach for European governments, which included holding the mullahs personally responsible before international courts, stopping the persecution of the Iranian Resistance in Europe, and officially recognizing the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan. She drew parallels between the fight for women’s rights and the broader struggle for democracy. “The European governments have finally to recognize, help, and protect the Iranian Resistance and support the plans for a democratic and constitutional peaceful Iran,” she urged, calling for an end to the appeasement that stabilizes authoritarian states.
Dutch Senator Frans van Knapen expressed his deep solidarity with the Iranian people, describing the information regarding the regime’s atrocities as “astonishing” and “shocking” for the Dutch public. He reflected on the resilience of the Iranian diaspora he has met in The Hague, noting their gentle nature contrasted with the brutal reality of their homeland. Van Knapen highlighted the “unbelievable number of innocent people put in jail without trial,” noting that such barbarism is hard to comprehend in the modern world.
Van Knapen fully endorsed Maryam Rajavi’s leadership, celebrating the fact that women are taking the lead in dismantling the patriarchal and dictatorial structures of Iran. “You people deserve to be liberated from an evil government that suppresses you all, not only in Iran but also millions of your refugees spread all over the world,” he concluded, expressing hope for a swift establishment of freedom in Iran.
#THEHAGUE 🇳🇱 An unprecedented wave of executions of women and political prisoners, coupled with successive death sentences, is sweeping #Iran.
Coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a human rights conference in The Hague is being… pic.twitter.com/UqPYqPa2G3
— Safora Sadidi (@SaforaSM) November 25, 2025
Senator Boris Dittrich, a human rights lawyer and member of the Dutch parliament, focused his address on the extraterritorial threats posed by the Iranian regime. He cited reports from the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) confirming Iran’s involvement in the assassinations of two Dutch nationals of Iranian origin in Almere and The Hague. Dittrich used these incidents to illustrate that the regime is not only a danger to its own citizens but a security threat within Europe. “Here in the Netherlands, the long arm of the Iranian regime has done its murderous work,” he warned.
Dittrich condemned the regime’s record-breaking execution rate, noting 285 executions in October 2025 alone. He called for the regime to end its “war against its own people” and stop funding terrorist proxies in the region. Outlining his vision for a future Iran, he described a democracy that abolishes the death penalty and respects the rights of all citizens regardless of gender, religion, or dress. Dittrich emphasized that there must be “no impunity for the Iranian regime.”
Former Vice President of the Irish Senate, Catherine Noone, drew parallels between the historical oppression of women in Ireland under religious influence and the current situation in Iran, though she noted the mullahs’ brutality is distinct. She argued that the misogyny inherent in the Iranian regime is structural, citing that women are treated as second-class citizens in law and practice. Noone praised the “Ten-Point Plan,” specifically Article 5, which guarantees complete gender equality and the right to choose one’s clothing freely, as a fundamental blueprint for a future democratic Iran.
Noone highlighted the pivotal role of women in the November 2019 uprising and the continued resistance today. She stressed that the resistance is not accidental but the result of decades of leadership by women within the NCRI. She issued a direct call to action for European leaders: “I urge European leaders and governments to designate the IRGC a terrorist organization and isolate this regime by making any relations contingent upon ending violence against women and stopping executions.” She concluded by acknowledging the immense courage of the women and men fighting for freedom, stating, “This resistance is not coincidental. It’s down to the women whom I’ve mentioned.”
Mant thanks Senator Boris Dittrich @DittrichBoris for your powerful remarks in the Hague conference in defence of human rights in #Iran. When democratic nations speak with one voice, authoritarian violence cannot hide in the shadows. The unified stance of Dutch lawmakers and… https://t.co/o58NI80XVh
— Hossein Abedini (@HoAbedini) November 26, 2025
Corinne Dettmeijer, Vice-Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), provided a technical and harrowing assessment of the legal status of women in Iran. She noted that Iran is one of the few states that has not ratified the CEDAW convention, shielding it from direct monitoring by the committee. However, she pointed out that reports from the UN Special Rapporteur paint a horrific picture of child marriage, femicide, and the lack of legal protection for women against domestic violence. She highlighted that girls as young as 13 are legally married to older men and that “honour killings” often go unpunished.
Dettmeijer raised the specific cases of political prisoners, including Maryam Akbari Monfared, who is denied medical care, and Zahra Tabari, sentenced to death for possessing a cloth with a resistance slogan. She emphasized that the struggle in Iran is about more than personal freedoms; it is a fight for a democratic republic. She referenced the recent UN resolution condemning the rise in executions and the crackdown on protesters. Speaking on her own behalf, she expressed strong support for the resistance, stating, “The struggle of Iranian women is not merely about the hijab or personal freedoms. It is part of a broader fight for a free, democratic republic where women have equal rights and opportunities.”
Dame Theresa Villiers, former UK Cabinet Minister, delivered a scathing condemnation of the “brutal misogynist regime” in Iran. She expressed outrage at a legal system where women’s access to employment and healthcare depends on compliance with hijab laws and where fathers can obtain judicial permission to marry off daughters as young as nine. Villiers highlighted the “shocking case” of Zahra Tabari, condemned to death after a ten-minute trial for supporting the PMOI, calling it an illustration of the “barbaric cruelty of the tyrannical theocracy.”
Villiers strongly endorsed the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan as a “blueprint for freedom” that has stood the test of time. She urged the UK and other Western governments to engage with the democratic opposition rather than continuing failed diplomatic engagements with Tehran. She also called for the proscription of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, citing the 2018 bomb plot against the resistance in Paris as proof of the regime’s threat to Europe. “The call for ‘Women, Resistance, Freedom’ must be shaking the Iranian government to its core,” she observed, adding that the protesters have clearly rejected both the mullahs and the monarchy.
Former Dutch Senator and professor Kees de Lange focused his address on the “Third Option” advocated by Maryam Rajavi: “No to war. No to appeasement. Yes to change by the Iranian people and their organized resistance.” He argued that the human rights crisis in Iran, including the execution of 2,350 people under the Pezeshkian government, is a symptom of the regime’s weakness and desperation, not its strength. De Lange noted that the regime targets supporters of the Iranian Resistance because it views them as an existential threat.
De Lange presented a six-point action plan for the international community. This included referring Iran’s human rights dossier to the UN Security Council, issuing international arrest warrants for regime officials, freezing diplomatic relations until executions stop, and designating the IRGC as a terrorist entity. He also called for the recognition of the NCRI and the Ten-Point Plan as the legitimate democratic alternative. “The human rights crisis in Iran… is not a sign of the regime’s strengths—quite the contrary—but clear evidence of its weakness, fear, and desperation,” De Lange asserted.
Former Senator Bob van Pareren praised the “amazing” role of women and the diaspora in keeping the hope for freedom alive. He emphasized the importance of organization in achieving regime change, commending the structure and persistence of the movement led by Mrs. Rajavi. Van Pareren noted that despite the terror and capital punishment employed by the regime, the resistance continues to grow, attracting support from parliamentarians worldwide.
He stressed that a “well-organized regime change” is vital for global security, not just for Iran. He encouraged the attendees to continue their work, assuring them that “time is your best friend” and that their persistence will eventually lead to a free Iran. “A well-organized regime change is so important, not only for the Iranian people but for all the people around you [and] of the world,” he stated, expressing full confidence in the movement’s eventual success.
Dowlat Nowrouzi, the NCRI representative in the UK, provided a historical perspective on the Iranian women’s struggle. She recounted her days in the student movement against the Shah’s dictatorship, noting the immense difficulty of mobilizing women at that time. She credited Maryam Rajavi with breaking these barriers and enabling women to emerge as the “antithesis against Islamic fundamentalism.” Norouzi highlighted that as early as 1987, the NCRI adopted a plan for women’s freedoms and equality, long before such issues were central to international discourse on Iran.
Norouzi thanked the parliamentarians for their support, noting that every step taken by Western allies helps pressure the regime to stop torture and executions. She reiterated the call to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization and urged European nations to stand on the right side of history. “We were able to show to the world community that the Iranian women… were engaged in this fight because we had true leaders that gave us the aspiration, dedication, commitment, and courage to sacrifice,” she said.
Former Dutch MP Prof. Dr. Henk de Haan delivered a candid critique of Western foreign policy. Holding a book containing the names of 20,000 victims of the regime, he reminded the audience that the total number of victims is now likely a “quarter of a million.” He recounted his visit to Iran as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, concluding that human rights had seen zero improvement. De Haan bluntly attributed the past blacklisting of the PMOI and the support for the Shah to “oil capitalism” driven by American and British interests, rather than human rights considerations.
De Haan expressed pride in his long-term role as chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran, working to reverse the unjust terrorist designation of the resistance movement. He praised Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for not imposing a system but rather laying a democratic foundation for the Iranian people to build upon. “I have to tell you… that this happened because of oil capitalism,” he stated regarding the past betrayal of the democratic opposition, urging a continued commitment to serving the cause of a free Iran.
The conference also featured emotional and resolute testimonies from Iranian activists and representatives of the diaspora, who bridged the gap between the suffering inside Iran and the political movement abroad. Dr. Arezoo Nasirlu, Reza Shayesteh, Nahal Safa, and Sepideh Orafa spoke on behalf of the medical community, families of executed prisoners, and the youth of Iran.
Dr. Nasirlu described the “double oppression” women face under the “gender apartheid” of the mullahs, yet emphasized that 1,000 women in the NCRI in Albania serve as role models for the Resistance Units inside Iran. She reiterated the refusal to accept any return to the Shah’s dictatorship, stating that hope for reform within the clerical regime is an illusion.
Reza Shayesteh shared the heartbreaking story of losing his mother, sister, and two brothers to the regime’s executioners because of their support for the PMOI. He highlighted that despite the massacre of 120,000 political prisoners, the resistance remains the regime’s “red line.” He called for the prosecution of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.
Experts and Dutch senators called for urgent action against the rising executions in #Iran. I was honored to speak on behalf of the families of executed political activists. their struggle lives on. #StopExecutionsInIran#NCRIAlternative@DittrichBoris@RookmakerDorien https://t.co/M1Nd1aRvFP pic.twitter.com/LQW4nVBYFM
— Reza Shayesteh (@RezaShayesteh1) November 26, 2025
Nahal Safa, a medical student, spoke of the 39,000 acts of resistance carried out by Resistance Units in the past year alone. She honored the women of the PMOI who sacrificed their lives in Camp Ashraf, stating that their courage taught her generation that “courage is not a moment but a conscious choice.”
Sepideh Orafa recounted the history of solidarity in the 1980s when women formed human chains to protect those refusing the hijab. She connected this legacy to the current struggle, asserting that the PMOI women understood that an attack on one woman’s dignity is an attack on all.
Collectively, these speakers reinforced the demand for the West to end the appeasement policy, place the IRGC on the terrorist list, and recognize the Ten-Point Plan. As Reza Shayesteh concluded, “The future belongs to a free Iran.”