How Much is Indifference Worth?


Most of you have probably recently heard about the peaceful sit-in by members of the National Committee—the Committee for the Defense of Iranian Human Rights—in front of Luxembourg’s Parliament. This sit-in was organized to protest the Luxembourg Foreign Minister’s stance opposing the European Union resolution to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The sit-in began on February 6, 2023, with official long-term permits from local and state authorities. However, in the early hours of February 10, 2023, around 2:00 a.m., Luxembourg police broke up the sit-in, dispersing the protesters through threats and pressure.

But, shortly after the dispersal, one of the committee members, Amir Labbaf—a former political prisoner under the regime and a human rights activist—personally and voluntarily returned to the protest site, resuming the sit-in alone. In a video, he declared that he would not leave until Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister changed his position in support of listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Labbaf, despite fragile health and ongoing treatment, announced that he would begin a wet hunger strike and a medical strike and, in the bitter cold of -7°C, he sat in front of Parliament without any shelter or heating equipment.

From Setting the Stage to the Prime Minister’s Visit

With careful consideration of recent events and conducting some investigative research, several noteworthy points emerged. The conclusions are left for the readers to judge:

  • Several weeks earlier, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn repeated comments made by Josep Borrell, saying in a press conference that Luxembourg could not support designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization without a ruling from the courts.

  • The day after the police forcibly broke up the protesters, contact with government departments and various trusted sources revealed that police pressure was based on a private complaint from within the Iranian community. In every discussion with officials, one phrase was repeated: “The group protesting in front of Parliament does not represent the Iranian community; they seek to tarnish Iran’s image.”

  • Through communications with the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office, it became apparent that numerous Iranians had contacted Luxembourg’s Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office by email and phone, declaring that, as members of Luxembourg’s Iranian community, they supported Jean Asselborn’s position. They argued that designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization was not in Luxembourg’s best interest.

  • That same day—February 10, 2023—around noon, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and his guest, the Finnish Prime Minister, passed by Amir Labbaf as he continued his sit-in and hunger strike. One of the committee members recorded a video of them addressing the Prime Minister, stating that Labbaf was on hunger strike. Shockingly, the Prime Minister responded that he was currently hosting a guest and would “come back to meet him on another day.”

  • Meanwhile, on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, the Iranian embassy organized consular services at the DoubleTree hotel. Since the onset of protests, this event marked the first time that representatives of the regime had returned to Luxembourg. Given the recent bloodshed and innocent lives taken, the return of these emissaries and their connections to the IRGC, with permissions granted from various quarters, raises significant questions about Luxembourg’s foreign policy.

Also, the protest organized by the Committee for the Defense of Iranian Human Rights on Thursday, February 9, 2023, near Parliament had a much smaller turnout than usual. Negative propaganda by certain pro-regime operatives, mercenaries, spies, and separatists likely contributed, yet the level of apathy among Iranians in Luxembourg was surprising.

At this very moment, Amir Labbaf sits alone in the bitter cold, far from his family and home, 24 hours a day, under -7°C temperatures. His only request is that Luxembourg’s Foreign Ministry change its stance and support listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization. I must ask our fellow Iranians: How much is indifference worth?

Have you ever thought about who has organized the protests against the regime since the start of the uprisings? Who, despite facing physical assaults and character assassinations by regime agents, continues their mission? Members of the Committee for the Defense of Iranian Human Rights have refused to step down, even amidst character assassination attempts from an infamous lawyer. These honorable individuals have held their ground, standing for justice and for the innocent lives lost in Iran’s fight for freedom. Their steadfastness is not to be taken lightly. Their commitment and courage, shown openly and with real identities—not hidden behind online pseudonyms—deserve our utmost respect and support.

Let us stand alongside them, honor their courage, and support their tireless fight for human rights and dignity.


Written on February 12, 2023
Ehsan Tarinia – Luxembourg