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Home > Activities > Row over Iranian celebrations at Dutch university
Row over Iranian celebrations at Dutch university
The students complained with the international student platform Iranian Progressive Youth (IPY) having heard that the Iranian embassy was organising some festivities at their university
Source: sax.nu Anne Klarenbeek, 28-2-2010 23:00:00
Iranian students are cross with The Hague University. This university had allowed the Iranian embassy to lease one of their facilities to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Iranian revolution. The students complained with the international student platform Iranian Progressive Youth (IPY) having heard that the Iranian embassy was organising some festivities at their university on February 13th. “A few of them were even approached by the embassy and asked if they wanted to come along and celebrate”, says Pejman Salim of IPY. “Mind you, these are students who wish to remain anonymous to the Iranian government.”
The Dutch government boycotted the celebrations. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a clear position. Our policy is not to take part in the celebration of the revolution”, Salim says. “How can a government-funded college do the exact opposite and participate in these celebrations which were organised by the embassy?”
On the same day, student protests against the Iranian regime took place in twenty-five European cities, organised by Iranian Progressive Youth. Thirty-one years ago, the pro western regime was expelled and the Islamic republic of Iran was founded, led by ayatollah Khomeini. Many progressive members of the opposition fled the country in the wake of this revolution.
In a reaction, a spokesman for The Hague University admits it was ‘not wise’ to make their facilities available to the Iranian embassy. “When these rooms are not being used for educational purposes, we make them available for rent. We did not realise that helping make this event possible could offend our Iranian students. We have apologised to them and are having talks with them about the issue. In future, we will carefully consider who can lease our facilities.”