Iranian Opposition Groups Sign Joint Human Rights Principles in Oslo

Sept. 26, 2026, 9:24 a.m.

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 26 September 2026: Fifteen Iranian opposition parties and organisations from across the political spectrum have endorsed a joint document affirming their commitment to fundamental human rights principles. Representatives of twelve of the signatory organisations gathered in Oslo today to formally sign the document, following months of dialogue facilitated by IHRNGO).

IHRNGO Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam stated: “Today’s signing marks an important step for the Iranian opposition. It demonstrates that parties and organisations with different political and ideological perspectives can engage in dialogue, develop a common document and commit to its principles. We believe that fundamental human rights can provide a common foundation for cooperation. The message they send is that human rights belong to everyone, including those whose political views we oppose. We hope this shared commitment will lead to more effective joint action to defend the rights and dignity of all people in Iran, regardless of their political beliefs, ethnicity, religion or gender.”

The signatories include nationwide political parties and organisations with different political orientations, as well as organisations representing ethnic groups, including Kurdish, Baluch, Azerbaijani Turk, Arab and Turkmen communities.

Among those endorsing the document is the Democratic Front of Iran, whose leader, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, has expressed his endorsement from prison in Iran. Opposition figures inside Iran have also supported the principles but, for security reasons, cannot publicly declare their endorsement.

The document establishes a minimum common foundation for protecting fundamental human rights, including opposition to the death penalty, the prohibition of torture, equality and non-discrimination, freedom of expression and assembly, free and fair elections, fair trials, democratic governance, and accountability for serious human rights violations.

The principles are intended to protect the individual and collective rights of everyone in Iran, including during a future political transition, regardless of who holds political power.

The initiative began at IHRNGO's conference, Dialogue on the Human Rights in Post-Islamic Republic Iran, held in Oslo in October 2025, where an initial draft was presented. The document was subsequently discussed and developed through a series of online meetings involving representatives of different opposition parties and organisations. The revised text was then shared with a broad range of Iranian opposition organisations, which were invited to endorse the principles regardless of their political orientation.

Following the signing ceremony, participants will continue their discussions at the conference Iran's Human Rights Crisis: From Shared Principles to Joint Action, focusing on concrete areas for cooperation, including defending political prisoners and protesters, opposing executions, combating discrimination, and promoting accountability for serious human rights violations.

The initiative is not intended to establish a political coalition or a common political platform. Rather, it seeks to strengthen cooperation in defending human rights while respecting the political independence of the participating organisations.

IHRNGO hopes that additional parties, organisations and individuals will endorse the principles and contribute to translating this shared commitment into concrete action.

 

Signatories:

 

 

The English PDF of the document is available here