Dutch NGO demands to be removed from Iranian blacklist

Dutch NGO Hivos once more denies Iran’s accusations that they are involved in a conspiracy to gradually change the Islamic Republic regime.

Hivos issued a statement maintaining that changing regimes is in no way part of their agenda and therefore they protest to being put on Iran’s blacklist of 60 organizations accused of ensuing a “soft regime change” in Iran.

Hivos claims that they have asked for explanations from Iranian Ambassador to the Netherlands and called for face to face talks with Iranian authorities but received no response.

Hivos insists on having its name removed from this list and gaining permission to continue its assistance to development of civil projects in Iran.

Hivos maintains that since 2004 they have collaborated with social organizations in Iran and supported their peaceful struggles to achieve equitable opportunities and gain social and economic progress.

Hivos adds that most of these organizations are focused on empowering women and others on empowering civil society in Iran. These organizations are all officially registered in Iran and had state permission to receive assistance from Hivos.

Hivos adds that Iranian authorities in Iran and the Iranian Embassy in the Netherlands were all aware of the activities of Hivos. However, in 2007, the organizations involved with Hivos had to stop their collaboration with the Dutch NGO because they were accused of “activities against national security.”

Hiovs also insists that their collaboration is limited to non-partisan organizations in Iran and adds that they have at no time interfered in Iranian internal politics and have never used their name or resources toward changing the Iranian regime.