Luxembourg's National Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran has announced that it has ceased operations.

In a statement dated 31 January 2025 which was released on Tuesday 4 February, the organisation announced the official end of its activities in Luxembourg, explaining that the decision was taken in response to what the committee described as "gross violations of human rights and refugee rights" by the Luxembourg government.

The organisation

The National Committee, created as a non-profit association in September 2022 by the SIMOURQ association, registered under RCS number F13843, began its official activities in Luxembourg as one of the sub-structures of SIMOURQ. Later, in 2023, it separated from SIMOURQ to pursue its commitment to human rights and refugee support independently. Over the course of more than three years of activity, the National Committee sought to make the voices of the most vulnerable populations heard before international bodies and to urge the Luxembourg government to respect its human rights obligations.

According to the National Committee, for over two years, it had been engaged independently and voluntarily in the defence of human rights and refugee support, striving to bring the voices of the oppressed to international bodies and to urge Luxembourg decision-makers to respect their human rights obligations. "Unfortunately, despite these efforts, not only has no aid been received from the authorities, but pressure and restrictions against refugees and human rights organisations have intensified, making humanitarian actions increasingly difficult".

their statement went on to criticise "the new policies of the Luxembourg government", which they claimed were "in direct contradiction with the fundamental principles of human rights and international standards of refugee protection". They added "The eviction of refugee families from their temporary shelters, in a context of acute housing crisis, is an unacceptable decision, contrary to fundamental human values". They went on to claim "This act jeopardises the safety and dignity of these vulnerable people and tarnishes the reputation of a country that has claimed to be a defender of human rights".

The committee also added that they would continue unofficially, "As an unofficial entity, we will continue to cooperate with other human rights organisations and to use all legal and international means at our disposal to fight against these flagrant violations of human rights".