Dutch Iranian Groups Demand Enhanced Protection Following Schoonhoven Shooting
Netherlands, 20 March 2026
Following the shooting of a 36-year-old Iranian police officer who had publicly criticised Tehran’s regime, Dutch Iranian advocacy groups are pressing the government for stronger security measures. The victim, shot near his home in Schoonhoven on 19th March, represents a concerning pattern of violence against Iranian dissidents in the Netherlands. Since 2015, at least three Iranian critics have been murdered or attacked, with intelligence services pointing to Tehran’s involvement. VluchtelingenWerk now advocates for automatic asylum grants for Iranian refugees who oppose their government, whilst approximately 59,000 people of Iranian background currently reside in the Netherlands, many having fled political persecution.
Government Response and Security Measures
Justice Minister David van Weel confirmed on 19th March that the victim was known as someone who spoke out against the Iranian regime [1]. The minister revealed that security precautions have been implemented for other Iranian dissidents in the Netherlands, though he declined to specify the number of people affected or the exact nature of these measures [1]. Van Weel noted that many Iranians living in the Netherlands have fled the regime, stating: “The reason why many Iranians live here is that they have fled from that regime” [3]. The National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), Public Prosecution Service, police, and local authorities are maintaining heightened alertness and implementing necessary security measures in response to the incident [3].
Pattern of Violence Against Iranian Dissidents
The Schoonhoven shooting represents the latest in a troubling series of attacks on Iranian critics in the Netherlands. In December 2015, Ali Motamed was murdered in Almere; he was suspected by Iran of involvement in a 1981 bombing that killed over 70 people at the Islamic Republican Party headquarters [3]. Two years later, in November 2017, political activist Ahmad Mola Nissi was shot dead in The Hague [3]. An Iranian asylum seeker had reportedly informed the Immigration and Naturalisation Service and the Dutch intelligence service AIVD prior to the murder that he was sent by Iran to prepare and carry out Nissi’s assassination [3]. In early 2019, the cabinet informed Parliament that the AIVD had “strong indications” that Iran was involved in the murders of both Motamed and Nissi [3]. More recently, in June 2024, there was a failed assassination attempt on an Iranian activist and journalist residing in Haarlem, with the AIVD reporting that the Iranian regime was “probably” responsible [3].
Community Response and Ongoing Activism
Despite the security concerns, Iranian community leaders remain defiant. Shahin Sultany Taied, chairman of the Association of Iranian Academics in the Netherlands, acknowledged the risks but stated he is not afraid, explaining: “Perhaps it’s naive, but I keep going. The resistance has been active for years, and there have been previous shootings” [1]. Taied warned that “the regime is cornered” and emphasised that “Iran is conducting terrorist activities overseas,” urging the Dutch government to maintain close oversight of the safety of Iranians living in the Netherlands [1]. The Association of Iranian Academics confirmed that their planned demonstration at Amsterdam’s Dam Square on Sunday afternoon will proceed as scheduled to show support for the Iranian people [1].
Asylum Policy Demands and Government Response
VluchtelingenWerk is advocating for Iranian refugees who have publicly opposed their country’s leadership to be automatically granted asylum in the Netherlands [1][3]. The organisation highlighted the particular vulnerabilities faced by Iranian dissidents, with a spokesperson explaining: “Stories from Iranian refugees show that they face consequences for voicing protests. Sometimes the pressure is subtle, but it can also be severe” [1]. Social media users may receive explicit threats from the Iranian government, with messages warning that certain actions could lead to prosecution in Iran, leaving refugees aware “you are on their radar” [1]. However, the cabinet has temporarily postponed decisions on Iranian asylum applications for the next six months, leaving dissidents in prolonged uncertainty [3]. This policy affects a significant population, as approximately 59,000 people with Iranian backgrounds currently live in the Netherlands [3].