The leaders of 10 political parties in parliament, including all four coalition partners, have urged the Dutch government to step up its support for the Iranian people who have been protesting against the regime since the death of Mahsa Amini last September.

The Netherlands and the European Union must continue to support the freedom-loving Iranians and be their voice, the party leaders say in an open letter to the Volkskrant.

‘The Iranian regime violates universal human rights and its military activities also pose a threat to international security,’ the MPs say.

In the letter, they call on the government and EU to follow the example of the United States and list what they call ‘the backbone’ of the Iranian regime, the Revolutionary Guards, as a terrorist organisation. Parliament has already backed such a move.

In addition, the party leaders say, the Netherlands and Europe could also impose sanctions on specific individuals from the Iranian regime and their close relatives. ‘In this way we can prevent them from violating freedoms in Iran and then coming and enjoying our freedoms here at, for example, our universities,’ the letter states.

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The MPs also say more needs to be done to protect Iranian nationals living in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. ‘Iranians are being threatened and intimidated by the regime on our territory,’ the letter states. A cabinet-proposed hotline is a first step but more ‘protection, punishment and diplomatic pressure is needed’.

Earlier this week a group of prominent Dutch Iranians met ministers for talks about the protests. They called on the Netherlands to take a far tougher stance against Iran, its leaders and their families, the Volkskrant reported.