To the Government and Parliament of the Netherlands, Human Rights Organizations, and International Institutions:
With respect and with wishes for peace and life for all humanity;
Iranian Kurdistan Human Rights Watch, as a non-governmental, independent organization active in documenting and pursuing cases of human rights violations in the Kurdish regions of Iran, particularly concerning the violent and armed actions of Kurdish militant groups such as PJAK, PKK, Komala, KDP-I, PAK, and Khabat, has thus far published numerous reports. This organization hereby expresses its profound concern regarding the continued free operation of these groups within the territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The holding of a conference titled “Consultative Conference of Rojhelat (eastern) Kurdistan” on April 26th and 27th, 2025, on Dutch soil, with the active participation of known members of the aforementioned armed groups, has once again demonstrated that the legal, political, and media platforms of your country have been systematically exploited by groups with a clear history of human rights abuses. These groups, taking advantage of the freedoms available in Europe, continue their activities despite a track record that includes the use of child soldiers, enforced disappearances, sexual violence against women and girls, indiscriminate landmine placements, extortion from development projects, and the creation of insecurity along Iran’s western borders; actions that not only clearly contradict fundamental principles of human rights but also directly disrupt the development, welfare, and security of the people in the Kurdish regions of Iran. To put it more precisely, you are currently providing services to armed groups with a dark history among the Kurdish people of Iran and the region. Many instances of insecurity, assassinations, massacres, and more in the Kurdish regions of the Middle East have been carried out by groups that are now present on your soil.
We would like to remind you that these groups are on the blacklist of countries such as the United States, Turkey, and Iran, as well as important actors like the European Union. It is evident that based on the Charter of the United Nations, the Geneva Conventions, Security Council resolutions on combating terrorism, the European Union’s Guidelines on Human Rights, and other binding international documents, countries are obligated to prevent violent groups from using their territory to threaten the peace and security of other nations. The groups that are freely and without the slightest hindrance carrying out political, media, and financial activities, as well as holding conferences and receiving media coverage, on your soil are the primary accused in the violation of the human rights of the Kurdish people in Iran and various armed and terrorist acts. They directly threaten the security of the border regions in western and northwestern Iran, and naturally, the Iranian government will not tolerate their presence and activities.
In this context, Iranian Kurdistan Human Rights Watch is in the process of finalizing and publishing a comprehensive report based on its field documentation of the crimes and human rights violations committed by these groups in the Kurdish regions of Iran. The production and distribution of narcotics, extortion, kidnapping, the use of children as soldiers, threats, assassinations, and the enforced disappearance of hundreds of young Iranian Kurds are just a fraction of the activities of these terrorist groups.
This report will be made available in the near future to European institutions, the UN Human Rights Council, special rapporteurs, and reputable international media outlets. Accordingly, we urge the esteemed Government of the Netherlands, members of Parliament, human rights organizations in the Netherlands, as well as international institutions and special rapporteurs on human rights to:
- Undertake a serious review of the continued free operation of these groups on European soil with a more precise and responsible perspective.
- Take necessary measures to prevent the organization and promotion of violence and separatism through conferences, media outlets, and institutions affiliated with these groups in the Netherlands.
- Provide opportunities to hear the voices of the victims of this violence, especially women, children, and affected families.
- Take the necessary action regarding the extradition of the leaders of these groups and convicted individuals to the Iranian government.
Iranian Kurdistan Human Rights Watch also declares its full readiness to cooperate with governments, human rights organizations, international organizations, and free media in the pursuit of peace, justice, transparency, and the genuine realization of human rights in the region.
With respect and hope for peace,
Iranian Kurdistan Human Rights Watch
Tehran – May 2025
