In a striking move that strengthens international backing for democratic change in Iran, a majority of the Dutch Senate—38 out of 75 members—have formally endorsed the global campaign supporting Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a secular and democratic republic in Iran. This coalition includes six faction leaders and eight committee chairs, reflecting a significant cross-party consensus.
In their joint statement, the Dutch senators echoed growing international calls for the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity and urged the recognition of the Iranian Resistance Units’ right to confront the IRGC. “Standing with the Iranian people seeking regime change is not only sound policy—it is a moral obligation,” the statement reads.
The senators expressed alarm at the intensifying repression inside Iran, highlighting at least 1,000 executions in 2024 alone. They condemned the “Hijab and Chastity Law” as a tool of broad police control, not merely enforcement of mandatory dress codes. The statement aligns with the platform of Iran’s democratic opposition, which calls for “No to compulsory hijab, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory rule,” and advocates for the ongoing “No to Executions” campaign.
Protests and resistance activity continue to escalate following the nationwide uprising of 2022, in which the Iranian people rejected both monarchical and theocratic dictatorship. The senators emphasized that political expression has been entirely blocked by the regime, making the recognition of resistance units’ right to fight essential.
A statement backed by a majority of the #Netherlands Parliament announced their solidarity with the popular uprising in #Iran and #IranianResistance movement.https://t.co/mp8oETbh6m
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 6, 2023
Endorsing the statement, Professor Kees de Lange, a former Dutch senator, described the Iranian regime as being in irreversible decline—morally, economically, and strategically. He warned of Iran’s growing isolation in the region and called the regime “a pariah that must never be allowed access to nuclear weapons.” Citing the resilience of the Iranian people and the leadership of Maryam Rajavi and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), he declared, “Now is the time for regime change and for building a democratic future for the Iranian people.”
Former Member of the European Parliament Derk Jan Eppink pointed to Iran’s record-breaking execution rate—accounting for 64% of all executions worldwide in 2024, despite having only 1% of the world’s population. He also warned of the regime’s expanding terror footprint in Europe, with Dutch intelligence identifying Tehran’s role in terror plots on European soil. “Condemnation alone is no longer enough,” he said. “The world must act.”
The senators’ endorsement is part of a growing international movement. As of June 2024, over 4,000 parliamentarians and 100 former world leaders have signed statements in support of Rajavi’s platform. The Dutch Senate’s declaration underscores that the Iranian people and their organized resistance must be placed at the heart of any principled international policy toward Iran.