Iranians demonstrate against Islamic regime in Amsterdam, The Hague

The protests in Amsterdam. Photo: Michiel Wijnbergh via Hollandse Hoogte

Hundreds of people have attended demonstrations in Amsterdam and The Hague in support of opponents of the regime in Iran.

In The Hague around 150 people gathered near the Iranian embassy, broadcaster NOS said. ‘The Iranian population want an end to religious dictatorship. The overthrow of this regime is nigh,’ read a placard carried by one demonstrator.

In Amsterdam a crowd several hundred strong gathered on Dam square earlier in the day, waving Iranian flags and carrying placards. Some chanted ‘down with the Islamic republic’.

‘The meeting did not have a political colour, it was to support the Iranian people,’ Solmaz Mahmoudi told broadcaster NOS.

Sahar Hossini Shekarabi told NOS that demonstrating is the only thing she can do to show her solidarity with the people. ‘Iran is a rich country with a lot of oil. But the regime keeps it all to itself so there is poverty,’ she said.

However, the lack of freedom is also a driving force, she said: ‘Women in Iran live like a dove in a cage. We want to be free.’

 

Some demonstrators also called on the Dutch government to take a stand on the protests in Iran. Neither prime minister Mark Rutte or foreign minister Halbe Zijlstra have yet commented on the demonstrations.

At least 21 people have been killed and 450 people arrested in a wave of protests throughout Iran over the past few days.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation