Allegations of Iranian Government Against Hivos Baseless
In January 2010, Hivos learned through media publications that the Iranian government had included Hivos in a list of 60 organizations which allegedly promote ‘soft regime change’. Hivos categorically denies promoting regime change in Iran or in any other state.
On January 7th, 2010, Hivos sent a letter to the Iranian ambassador in the Netherlands, requesting clarifications about the list and proposing to discuss the matter in a face-to-face meeting. Hivos has not received a reply from the Iranian embassy so far.
Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organization inspired by humanistic values. Together with local civil society organizations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world. A world in which citizens, both women and men, have equal access to opportunities and resources and can determine their own future. These principles inspire Hivos’ work in 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Hivos has been working with Iranian civil society organizations since 2004, supporting them in their efforts to achieve equal opportunities and socio-economic advancement. Most of them focused on the improvement of the position of women; some on strengthening of civil society. These civil society organizations were officially registered and had permission from the Iranian authorities to receive funding from Hivos. Hivos’ work was known to the Iranian authorities and the Iranian embassy in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, Hivos’ partner organizations in Iran had to stop their work in 2007, because the Iranian authorities accused them of receiving support from abroad and ‘undermining state security’.
Hivos works only with non-partisan civil society actors, which strive for social justice and democracy through peaceful, non-violent strategies. Hivos has never interfered in Iranian domestic politics, nor has Hivos ever made its name and resources available on behalf of a regime change. Hivos urges the Iranian government to remove Hivos from the list and to allow it to assist civil society projects in Iran again.
MYHIVOS LOGIN
