A formal statement from Lion and Sun Stichting and Gen Z Network on the exclusion of the broad democratic movement from Panel II of the Parliamentary Roundtable on Iran at the Tweede Kamer.
Re. Panel II in Tweede Kamer: Iranian politicians and human rights activists — Monday, 6 July 2026, 14:30–15:15
We, the undersigned Iranian civil society organizations and activists, welcomed the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ initiative to organize a parliamentary roundtable on Iran. We appreciated the Committee’s commitment to hearing Iranian voices. However, we became deeply concerned that Panel II—dedicated to Iranian politicians and human rights activists—did not include a single activist from the broad democratic movement, a significant segment of the Iranian opposition and civil society that has united around Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and his Four Principles, i.e., territorial integrity, individual freedoms, the separation of religion and state, and free elections. Moreover, any parliamentary discussion on human rights in Iran must include the voices of victims’ families, survivors of repression, and organizations representing those directly affected by state violence.
This omission raised serious questions regarding the inclusiveness and balance of representation within the panel. Independent surveys (for example, by Erf Institute showing a 79.9% approval rating for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, or GAMAAN reporting 49% support), as well as repeated demonstrations involving millions of Iranians, university protests, and large gatherings across the Iranian diaspora (for example, the global rally of more than 1 million Iranians on February 14, 2026) indicate that this democratic movement represents a substantial constituency among Iranians. Dozens of independent civil society organizations and political groups have publicly endorsed these principles and recognized Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as a leading figure for a democratic transition, as demonstrated by the Munich Convergence Meeting of 16 February 2025. Whether one agrees with this movement or not, its complete absence from a panel intended to hear Iranian politicians and human rights activists deprived Parliament of an essential democratic perspective and risked presenting an incomplete—and therefore potentially misleading—picture of Iranian civil society. A democratic consultation should include minority perspectives; yet, they should complement—not replace—the voices of a broad democratic constituency.
The proceedings themselves illustrated why balanced representation matters. Panel II was marked by moments of tension and verbal confrontation, and a considerable number of attendees chose to leave the session before its conclusion. While disagreement is a natural part of democratic debate, these events underscored the risks of convening a discussion on Iran’s future while excluding a major democratic constituency from the conversation. Inclusive representation strengthens dialogue; exclusion risks resentment, polarization, and diminished confidence in the consultation process.
We also ask: Can a panel on Iranian human rights be truly representative if it does not include the voices of organizations representing families whose loved ones were killed during the January 2026 massacre, or those fighting to save relatives from the Islamic Republic’s continuing wave of executions? The organizations signing this statement represent precisely these families. Their testimony is not abstract or ideological—it is lived experience, shaped by unimaginable loss, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice. No discussion about human rights in Iran can be complete without hearing the voices of those who have paid the highest price for freedom.
We respectfully request that future parliamentary consultations on Iran include representatives from all major democratic currents within Iranian civil society and that opportunities be created for a broader and more inclusive dialogue. Hearing a broad range of voices—including those of the many organizations and activists united around Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s Four Principles—would foster a constructive dialogue and strengthen the legitimacy, balance, and democratic value of the Parliament’s engagement with the Iranian people. We would welcome the opportunity to participate in a future panel to represent this broad democratic majority, including families who have lost loved ones to the brutality of the Islamic Republic.
Lion and Sun Stichting — Netherlands (mithra-iran.org) Gen Z Network (gen-z-network.org)