The Role of Iranians Abroad in Our Movement
The role of Iranians abroad in our movement, according to Iran Gate, this time with an unimaginable presence in gatherings and protests, they played a role beyond what was expected.
Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Jose, and Chicago in the USA, Toronto and Montreal in Canada, Vienna in Austria, Paris in France, London, Manchester, and Birmingham in the UK, Prague in the Czech Republic, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich, Berlin, and Heidelberg in Germany, Melbourne in Australia, Madrid in Spain, Bologna in Italy, Copenhagen in Denmark, Gothenburg and Stockholm in Sweden were among the cities where gatherings of Iranians abroad were held.
Initiatives taken by protest coordinators and symbolic protest actions, such as forming human chains and large gatherings like the Berlin demonstration, this time not only drew the attention of Western politicians but also made the Islamic Republic aware of a significant and effective force called Iranian immigrants.
The Impact of This Solidarity Declaration on the Survival of the Movement
Undoubtedly, the government has always controlled any protest movement within the country over the past thirty years, from the July 9 student movement to our movement, with a single approach. Suppression has been the only strategy of the Islamic Republic in dealing with opponents, protesters, and demanding citizens.
But this time, the government’s reach did not extend to a large segment of the effective protesters in the recent protest movement, as Iranians abroad, beyond the government’s expectations and calculations, continuously supported and became the voice of the protesting people inside. They not only participated in protests in the streets of their cities but also informed and pressured governments claiming to defend human rights, forcing them to react.
Iranians abroad, by participating in parliaments and meeting with politicians, and by accurately reporting the government’s violence and suppression of protesters, created a new and serious wave against the regime, to the extent that in some cases, we witnessed implicit threats against this group of Iranians by security agencies.
Reaction of Western Politicians
The voice of Iranians abroad was so loud and clear that it prompted reactions from important Western politicians. For example, the German Interior Minister also reacted in support of the protests and in the interest of maintaining the security of Iranian refugees in Germany.
Nancy Faeser, the German Interior Minister, praised the courage of the protesters in a message. Iranians abroad, in numerous calls in solidarity with the protests inside, announced the holding of protest gatherings in various countries around the world.
Nancy Faeser, the German Interior Minister, praised the courage of the protesters in a message. Iranians abroad, in numerous calls in solidarity with the protests inside, announced the holding of protest gatherings in various countries around the world.
Nancy Faeser emphasized that Germany has been calling for an end to violence and suppression since the start of protests in Iran. Additionally, the European Union has imposed very targeted sanctions to increase pressure on the Islamic Republic and hold the perpetrators of suppression accountable.
In her video message addressed to hundreds of thousands of Iranian-German citizens, Ms. Faeser said, ‘We know that Iranians residing in Germany are worried about their families and relatives, but you may also feel insecure in Germany. We will protect you here in Germany. German security officials are closely monitoring the situation.’
She added that the deportation of Iranian asylum seekers will remain halted. At the end of her video message, the German Interior Minister called on everyone to defend the people of Iran, saying, ‘Let us become the voice of the people of Iran today and here.’
An Opportunity That Became a Threat
Undoubtedly, Iranian immigrants could have been an important tool and opportunity for the country’s public diplomacy to present a correct and respectable image of the country, allowing politicians and diplomats more leverage in official diplomacy. However, the government’s incorrect approach towards human capital has always resulted in wasted opportunities.
This time, a significant population from the country, who mostly chose to emigrate due to the unfavorable situation in the country’s management system or for a minimum livelihood and life, or for maximum progress in their expertise and talent, has today become a serious threat to the regime. In alignment and solidarity with the people inside, they stand side by side, uniquely united in voicing their protest against injustice and inefficiency.
However, sometimes certain scenes and words remind us that gathering and leaving Iranians from Iran might provide temporary relief for the government and its supporters from seeing them and their likes, but ultimately, Iran belongs to all Iranians, and governments cannot diminish anyone’s share and add to their own or their supporters’ by drawing lines and creating insiders and outsiders.
The one who said history repeats itself twice, once as a tragedy and the second time as a comedy, was quite accurate. The first time, Mohammad Reza Shah showed the exit door to the dissatisfied, and what was the outcome? And the second time, the presenter claiming to represent the government condemned the protesters to pack up, migrate, and be exiled, and now the exiles have become the bane of the rulers.