Key information
Date: Thursday 05 March 2026
Time: 10:00am
Motion detail
Emma Best AM moved, and Alessandro Georgiou AM seconded the following motion:
“This Assembly notes that since anti-Government protests began in late December 2025 it is estimated that upwards of 36,500 civilian protestors may have been killed by the Iranian authorities.
This Assembly strongly welcomes that Iran is no longer under the rule of Ayatollah Khamenei. Under Ayatollah Khamenei’s regime Iran has funded international terrorism, attacked British nationals, brutally repressed its own citizens calling for freedom, and has tried to develop nuclear weapons. Iranian citizens now have their strongest chance in decades to escape from the yoke of the Ayatollah’s brutal regime.
This Assembly has a proud history of backing Iranian protestors. On 9 February 2023, this Assembly unanimously passed a motion noting that “This Assembly is deeply concerned about the Iranian regime’s violent treatment of women and men who are protesting against the violation of their basic human rights, following the killing of 22 year old Mahsa (Zhina) Amini on 16 September 2022.”
The motion, which was proposed by Assembly Member Zack Polanski and seconded by Assembly Member Sem Moema, noted that “Iran’s security forces have since killed hundreds of citizens, including at least 44 children. Amnesty International found that most of these children were killed due to security forces unlawfully firing live ammunition at their head, heart or other vital organs. More than 18,000 demonstrators have also been arrested since mid-September.”
The motion also noted that “This Assembly recognises the distress that must be felt by our friends and neighbours in London’s Iranian communities, including the approximate 45,000 Londoners who were born in Iran, as a result of these actions.”
This Assembly warmly welcomes the celebrations amongst London’s Iranian communities and strongly hopes that recent events mark the start of a new chapter for Iran.”
Following debate, and upon being put to a vote, the motion was agreed with 18 votes being cast in favour and 3 votes being cast against.