On February 7, 2026, tens of thousands gathered at the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to protest against the ongoing oppression and systematic human rights violations in Iran. This massive rally served as a powerful act of solidarity with the freedom movement currently sweeping across the country.
Organized by more than 300 exiled Iranian organizations from across the globe, the event united Iranians from all over Europe. Their message was unmistakable: Iran must be rebuilt as a democratic republic based on freedom, the rule of law, and human dignity—free from both religious dictatorship and monarchical autocracy.
Berlin: a unified stand for democracy and justice
Participants at the rally sent a clear signal that the Iranian people reject a return to the past just as much as they reject the current regime. Speakers noted that the pre-1979 Shah dictatorship was also characterized by severe human rights violations in Iran, including torture and executions carried out by the notorious secret service, SAVAK.
Human rights activist Sahar Sanaie emphasized that the movement is directed against every form of dictatorship. The consensus among the tens of thousands present was captured by the powerful slogan: “No to the Dictator—Neither the Shah nor the Mullahs.”
The january 2026 massacre: demanding international prosecution
A central focus of the demonstration was honoring the thousands of victims of the violent crackdown during the January 2026 massacre. Protesters described these events as crimes against humanity and displayed photographs of those killed to remind the world of the scale of the regime’s brutality.
The rally issued a formal call to the international community to hold those responsible legally accountable. This includes:
- Prosecuting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before an international court.
- Economic and Political Isolation: Closing Iranian embassies in the EU and imposing harsher sanctions.
- Cutting Financial Streams: Blocking the funds that fuel the regime’s machinery of death.
Specific demands addressed to the UN and the EU included:
- An immediate end to violence against protesters in Iran.
- A halt to mass arrests and the immediate release of all political prisoners.
- An urgent moratorium on all executions.
Envisioning a democratic and secular republic
The Berlin rally explicitly supported the vision of the people inside Iran who are striving for change through their own efforts, without external military intervention. Their goal is a democratic, secular republic defined by:
- Free and fair elections.
- Separation of religion and state.
- Gender equality and human rights.
- A non-nuclear Iran.
Global political voices support the freedom movement
Several high-profile figures from politics and civil society addressed the crowd, reinforcing the international significance of the struggle:
- Mike Pompeo (Former US Secretary of State): “Iran will only achieve freedom through a government that truly reflects the will of its people. Any deal with the regime is a betrayal of millions of Iranians.”
- Charles Michel (Former President of the European Council): “No dictatorship lasts forever. Freedom is an inalienable right, and Europe must not hide behind policies of appeasement.”
- Peter Altmaier (Former German Federal Minister): “A free and democratic Iran is possible. We must not lose hope despite the violence. The media must report more on the reality of the repression.”
- Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger (Former German Justice Minister): She described the situation as a “moral test for Europe,” calling for the immediate release of all prisoners and condemning the ongoing executions.
Heartbreaking testimonies: the human cost of repression
The most moving part of the rally involved reports from the families of victims, highlighting the individual lives shattered by human rights violations in Iran.
The Case of Human Sabagh: Nasrin Sabagh and her husband spoke about their nephew, Human Sabagh, a 37-year-old economic engineer. In early January, he was shot during protests in Lahijan. According to the family, the IRGC prevented him from receiving medical aid, and he bled to death. His parents were only given his body after being forced to pay for the ammunition used to kill him—a chilling example of the regime’s inhumanity.
Amin Heydari and Ramin Asadifav: Amid Amiry, residing in Germany, shared the stories of Ramin Asadifav, who was beaten to death by security forces while trying to help the wounded, and Amin Heydari, who was killed by a direct shot to the head on the same day.
An urgent appeal to the world’s conscience
The Berlin mass rally was more than a political event; it was a collective appeal to the conscience of the world. The demand for justice for the victims and freedom for the protesters in Iran united participants across generations.
The message remains clear: Iran’s future must be built on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
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