In an urgent outcry against the escalating wave of executions in Iran, members of the Iranian diaspora in Belgium held two public gatherings—one on May 14 in Brussels in front of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and another on May 17 in Antwerp—to demand an immediate halt to the executions in Iran and a firmer stance from the European Union.
The rallies come amid alarming reports that over 1,211 people have been executed in Iran since Massoud Pezeshkian assumed the presidency. Protesters argue that the surge in executions is a deliberate tactic by the Iranian regime to quell rising public discontent fueled by economic hardship, social repression, and regional political setbacks, including the collapse of its allied forces in Syria.
While the Iranian government engages in nuclear negotiations with Western powers, it continues to intensify domestic repression. Activists highlight this contradiction, accusing the regime of using executions as tools of fear and social control, even as it seeks legitimacy on the international stage.
Brussels
Antwerp
Key Demands to the Belgian and EU Authorities
The demonstrations, organized by CKM IRAN, urged the Belgian government to take immediate and tangible steps:
- Demand an end to executions in Iran, especially in the politically charged cases of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani
- Designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization due to its leading role in internal repression and regional terrorism
- Recognize the right of the Iranian people, particularly the youth, to resist tyranny and strive for a free and democratic Iran
Growing Political Momentum
These rallies come on the heels of significant political moves within Belgium. The Flemish Parliament recently passed a resolution condemning the execution of political prisoners in Iran, explicitly naming Hassani and Ehsani. In addition, over 120 members of the Belgian Federal Parliament, including the current Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed a declaration demanding a halt to executions in Iran.
Unified Call for Justice
The demonstrations in Brussels and Antwerp were not just expressions of grief but powerful assertions of solidarity and political pressure. Protesters carried signs, chanted slogans, and shared testimonies to highlight the human cost of silence and inaction. They emphasized that the international community, especially democratic governments, has both the moral responsibility and political leverage to influence Tehran’s behavior.
As Iran continues to make headlines for its nuclear ambitions, activists warn that attention must not stray from the brutal domestic reality millions of Iranians face daily. The movement calls for Europe to move beyond dialogue and adopt decisive measures that reflect its values and human rights commitments.
