The Alliance for Public Awareness – Iranian Communities in Europe (APA-ICE), representing 306 associations of Iranian communities across Europe, North America and Australia, has addressed an open letter to Steffen Saebisch, Chairman of the Board of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, and Wolfgang Kubicki, Chairman of Germany’s Free Democratic Party (FDP), expressing strong opposition to the Foundation’s decision to place its 2026 Freedom Award for the People of Iran in trust to Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former Shah.
The letter argues that the decision contradicts the award’s stated commitment to freedom and democratic values, while disregarding the experiences of Iranians who suffered imprisonment, torture and execution under the former monarchy. It also recalls the historical significance of St. Paul’s Church in Frankfurt, where the award ceremony is to take place, as a symbol of popular sovereignty and parliamentary democracy.
The 306 associations emphasise that the Iranian people’s struggle is directed against both the current religious dictatorship and the former monarchical dictatorship. Their aspiration is a democratic republic founded on the separation of religion and state, gender equality, and the rights of ethnic minorities.
The letter also refers to an open letter issued on 1 October by approximately 80 prominent German figures and leaders, who raised concerns about the implications of honouring the son of Iran’s former ruler in the name of the Iranian people.
APA-ICE calls for respect for the Iranian people’s long-standing struggle for freedom and for the sacrifices made by generations seeking a democratic future for Iran.
306 Iranian associations from Europe, North America and Australia have addressed an open letter to @FNFreiheit & @fdp leaders, condemning their decision to award 2026 Freedom Award for the People of Iran to Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former dictator. #No2Pahlavi 1/4 https://t.co/H6UXbctQhq
— APA-ICE (@APA_ICE) October 16, 2026
In an open letter dated 16 October 2026, APA-ICE, on behalf of 306 Iranian associations, urges the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and Germany’s FDP leadership to reconsider a decision that the signatories say disregards the Iranian people’s experience of dictatorship and their demand for a democratic republic.
To Mr. Steffen Saebisch, Chairman of the Board of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom,
And Mr. Wolfgang Kubicki, Chairman of the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP),
16 October 2026
On behalf of 306 associations representing Iranian communities residing in Europe, North America and Australia (supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran), we consider the decision to place the 2026 Freedom Award for the People of Iran in trust to Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s deposed dictator, to be in clear contradiction with the objectives of this award and an insult to the Iranian people’s revolution against royal fascism and the Shah’s dependent dictatorship.
Reza Pahlavi has not only failed to condemn the crimes of the monarchical dictatorship and those committed by SAVAK, notoriously known for torturing political prisoners, but has also justified and repeatedly expressed pride in his family’s past and record on various occasions, including over the past year.
Many of our members, either themselves or their closest relatives, have been victims of arrest, imprisonment, brutal torture, and execution under the Shah’s dictatorship. The crimes committed by the Shah’s SAVAK are neither a distant memory nor an abstract subject. They remain an open wound, and the marks of torture are still visible even on the bodies of our mothers.
The choice of St. Paul’s Church, a historic symbol of popular sovereignty and parliamentary democracy in Germany, further compounds the impact of the Foundation’s decision against the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and democracy. These are people who are fighting against both the ruling religious fascism and the former royal fascism, in pursuit of a democratic republic based on the separation of religion and state, gender equality, and the right of ethnic minorities to autonomy.
The Shah’s son has begun suppressing opponents outside Iran, and numerous cases are currently under examination by judicial authorities and police in European countries and North America. A series of complaints concern assaults and even killings allegedly committed by bands affiliated with Reza Pahlavi against opponents.
Approximately 80 prominent German figures and leaders stated in an open letter dated October 1: “Trusting an award in the name of the Iranian people to the son of the country’s former dictator, a deeply divisive figure, contradicts our own values. For Germany, the consequences of this decision cannot be separated from the history of the Pahlavi dictatorship.”
We believe that these prominent figures, through their memorable letter, are reflecting the awakened conscience of Germany by showing respect for the Iranian people’s struggle and the countless martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for freedom.
Respectfully,
Dr. Sina Dashti
President
Alliance for Public Awareness, Iranian Communities in Europe (APA-ICE)