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On Saturday, 13/9/2025, a counterdemonstration was organized in London by Stand Up To Racism against the far-right Tommy Robinson demonstration, in which we also participated. To reject the hatred and bigotry spread by Tommy Robinson and the far-right. The far-right demonstration, which drew nearly 110,000 participants, was one of the largest far-right gatherings against refugees in Britain in recent years. Their fascist agenda is built on racism, Islamophobia, and intimidating citizens, but we will not be divided. Our protest was not only against Tommy Robinson and the entire far-right movement and their fascist and racist agenda, but also to defend the values that the fascist ideology seeks to destroy.

The Stand Up To Racism demonstration was attended by close to 20,000 people and brought together trade unions, women’s organizations, refugee organizations, and left-wing and socialist organizations who came to the streets to defend the human and civil values of British society like coexistence and tolerance. They attended the demonstration to confront this reactionary and inhumane trend that seeks to destabilize our society through the dissemination of hatred, bigotry, and violence, and keep it in a state of constant fear and war.

Some of Robinson’s supporters clashed with the police. They attempted to break through barriers to attack anti-racism demonstrators, alongside the chanting of racist slogans, reflected their core content and message. They carried nationalist symbols, including the St. George’s Cross and the Union Jack flags. Some of the anthems and chants were explicitly anti-refugee, for example: “Stop the boats,” “Send them back.”

Robinson claimed the march was about defending freedom of speech and British culture. Elon Musk delivered a speech at the rally, criticizing the British government and its refugee policy. Political leaders condemned the violence. With concerns and fears growing, particularly within Muslim communities, about the racist and anti-Muslim rhetoric being spread. Police issued a statement to reassure people that they are safe and to remain in their homes.

Analysis of the event, its implications, and the number of participants shows that the message that brought Robinson and his extremist groups together, particularly around the issues of refugees, is based on identity and nationalism.

Tommy Robinson, the organizer of the march, under the banner of free speech, encouraged his supporters to participate in the demonstration, ostensibly talking about free speech and protecting British culture, but unfortunately, he used the framework of free speech to cover up policies of xenophobia, racism, and hateful speech. These incitements to hatred can escalate, spiral out of control, and plunge society into violence. British society, which is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual society with a long history of immigrant labour, is now targeted by such propaganda (against refugees, Muslims, etc.). This kind of event threatens community cohesion and can lead to backlash, crime, and violence, as seen in attacks on refugee hotels. As highlighted by the National Institute Against Racism and Fascism, racist hate crimes have increased significantly following the resurgence of anti-refugee protests and the calls for mass deportations this summer.

 On September 9th, a Sikh woman in Oldbury, Birmingham, was allegedly assaulted, and her attackers reportedly told her, “You don’t belong to this country, get out,” according to newspapers, a man has been arrested but released on bail pending further investigation. This incident is being treated as a ‘violent racial assault’.

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Fascism has a criminal history; it is not merely a political ideology but a violent reaction against social progress. Fascism is an extreme right-wing, nationalist ideology that seeks to concentrate power in a single leader or party and used to divide people, dismantle democratic institutions, trade unions, and left-wing and socialist movements. Fascism is built on fear, hatred, and lies. Moreover, fascism is not just hatred; it also has an economic motive, it serves the interests of the capitalist class when they fear losing power. In the 1920s and 30s, the elites of Italy and Germany funded Mussolini and Hitler to crush the communists and trade unions. Fascism promises to protect private property, profit, and the class structure by any means necessary, as Leon Trotsky argued that the bourgeoisie turns to fascism when its power is threatened by the working class. When parliamentary democracy and traditional control instruments are insufficient, the ruling class utilizes fascist movements to protect its power.

Fascism is a movement of hunger, pain, misery, despair, ruthlessness, and hopelessness. We must strive to deal with the sections of the society now entangled in fascism, either by integrating them into our struggles or at least by neutralizing and sidelining them in our struggle and battles. We must use the utmost clarity and strength to prevent them from empowering the bourgeois counter-revolution. Fascism does not only attack political enemies; it destroys the soul of society. Freedom of speech, the right to vote, independent media and Jewish people, Muslims, refugees, LGBTQ+ groups, and others who are victims of war and insecurity are blamed and scapegoated for unravelling societal crises and problems like inflation, and justify cuts to services.

Coexistence and justice for a better future are our options must be fought by organizing, educating and together. We can build a world based on genuine equality, peace and prosperity, a world where fascism has no place and never will.

 Fascism in Hitler’s Germany led to the Holocaust, World War II, and the killing over 60 million people. Mussolini’s Italy crushed democracy and joined Nazi Germany in war crimes. Franco’s Spain silenced generations with executions and censorship.

The new neo-fascist movements continue to threaten the rights, minorities and democracy. Wherever fascism emerges, human suffering follows. Why must we confront it? Fascism is not a relic of the past but remains a threat today. Economic crises, inequality, and fear can give it new life. Therefore, it must be confronted, not only with words but with action. We must confront racism, sexism, xenophobia, and homophobia wherever they appear. We must stand with workers, trade unions, and social movements that demand freedom, coexistence, humanity, and justice. Racism, also , focuses on differences in culture, language, and tradition, claiming that they threat the unity of European societies while all human being, regardless of culture, language, or colour, are human beings with  universal rights.

The current trend of fascism and racism in Britain and Europe is based on racial discrimination and the identification of the European race as a superior race among human beings and is thus built on the contempt and belittlement of other races. On one hand, it strives to take away social gains achieved by the working class, and to fragment the labour movement and incite war between sections of society.  A section of the bourgeoisie uses racial identity against refugees and migrant workers who came to European countries for work, turning it into an electoral programme for parliamentary elections. But the growth of contemporary racism and neo-fascism coincides with the rise of conflicts among bourgeois global poles in the new multipolar world for the redivision of the world to solve the deep crisis that faces capitalism for more than a decade. Therefore, in the current era of economic crisis, with European governments facing major political and economic challenges, racism has not remained confined to opposing foreigners and discriminating between people; it has now become a political programme adopted by many far-right parties who are allowed to participate openly in elections, opening the door to their accession to power.

 Some of these far-right parties are already in power. The programme and agenda of these racist and far-right parties are not limited to vilifying refugees and migrants but aim to organize society in a way that secures low wages and long working hours, dismantles social benefit and social services, raises the retirement age to 70, and deprives women, children, the elderly, and the disabled of the required services. Simultaneously, it seeks to keep the modern societies of Europe and Britain in a constant state of internal racial strife. This racism, as a movement, trend, and far-right parties, aims to attack all the gains of humanity and undermine the civility and humanity of the society. Returning Europe’s tolerant and civilized societies to bigotry and division is a key aspect of the racist agenda in Britain and Europe.

I must also say that European governments have not hesitated to help in paving the way for fascist and racist trends and parties into power, securing parliamentary seats, and elevating their status in these societies. This new racism based on opposing diverse cultures and foreigners is their main theme and programme. They want a Europe clear of refugees, propagating that refugees are the source of unemployment, inflation, disease, and the crises plaguing their system and governments

So, what can be done to confront racism and fascism? Martin Niemöller, a German pastor, is famous for his powerful statement about the cowardice of German intellectuals, especially the churches, after the Nazis rose to power. Although he initially supported Hitler, Niemöller became an outspoken critic of the Nazis, especially after they began interfering in the church, saying:

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

A better future is possible. But fascism offers a policy of despair, hatred, violence, and division. We must confront racism, sexism, xenophobia, and homophobia wherever they appear. The workers, trade unions, and social movements that seek freedom, coexistence, and justice offer a better future. Through organization, education, and solidarity we can confront fascism. We can build a world based on true equality, peace, and prosperity, a world where fascism has no place and must never have.

Fascism and racism are a disgraceful phenomenon in the contemporary world and today’s human society. Discrimination is incompatible with human nature and civilized society in this era, especially since brotherhood, humanity, tolerance, and human coexistence beyond geographical, racial, and religious differences are a reality and necessity for humanity.

Fascism is a dangerous ideology that targets refugees, socialists, and the working class, grows during crises, and uses fear, racism, and violence to divide and control. The working class, trade unions, and social organizations have the power and responsibility to confront it; we can lead a movement that protects society from the threat of far-right extremists. Not all those who participated in Tommy Robinson’s march agree with Robinson’s extremist views, as some in the march explained, but the platform of this far-right trend can obscure the reality of the crises which face the system from sections of society.

For years, the Conservative Party with its neoliberal economic policies, and then the Labour Party by continuing the same policies of austerity and starvation, have attacked our standard of living and our public services. They claimed that they would improve the NHS, improve people’s lives, and create a broader path for economic growth, and some voters believed them and voted for them in elections, but all those promises turned out to be lies. These policies worsened the living conditions and livelihood of workers and disadvantaged  sections of the society so much that it created  a bourgeois racist party like Reform and a far-right political figure like Nigel Farage and  make inhumane policies against refugees under the name of “stopping the refugee boats” and abandoning the European Convention on Human Rights a main slogan and the platform of the far-right trend led by Robinson, which is brainwashing a section of society.

The working class cannot leave this fight to others, to deal with it indifferently! We must organize ourselves, unite our forces, and connect our struggles. We must prepare ourselves for this fight. We must spread the awareness about the history of fascism, its crimes, and its attempts to set society back, into discord, hatred, and crime. We must expose their lies and misleading policies. We must courageously speak out against fascist ideas, stand against their attempts to fragment society and attack the principles and human values of society.

Participate in meetings and demonstrations against racism, fascism, and far-right extremism. Let us strive to develop a manifesto to defend our lives, livelihoods, rights, and gains against the assault of the bourgeoisie and their far-right parties. Defend refugees against this assault by the fascists and racists.

The rise of this far-right trend is also a warning to refugees and minorities that they must not remain on the sidelines of this battle. They are part of the working class of this country and must strengthen this humane front alongside the working class, trade unions, and left-wing, socialist, and freedom-loving organizations, and we can create genuine harmony

The struggle against fascism imposes a set of new tasks upon us; defeating fascism ideologically and politically alone is not enough to protect the working class from the brutality and violence of this enemy. Currently, the working class has an urgent task of defending itself against fascism, and this task must not be neglected for a single moment. Workers must unite in the struggle, regardless of party or trade union affiliation. Defending the working class against fascism is one of the powerful motives for establishing and strengthening of a united front of the working class. Without a united front to struggle against this reactionary trend, we cannot  succeed.

We must intensify pressure on the government not to pander to the far-right and fascist groups. Their financial and political support must be cut off. Their sources of funding must be made clear. Calling for political gatherings and delivering speeches that incite violence, and discrimination must be considered a serious crime. The government must prioritize improving people’s lives and livelihoods, improving National Health Service, municipal services, and housing, and adopting refugee policy based on a humane policy far from the threat of deportation. Any institution or person promoting bigotry and racism must be punished. Everyone must unite against racism and fascism, and a major ideological and political campaign must be waged against fascists showing how they lead society towards disaster. We must collectively dismantle them and render them ineffective. This is our task, the task of the working class and the labour movement, to protect society from the threat of far-right extremists.

23/9/2025

Protest at Iranian Embassy Condemns Deportation of Afghan Refugees

London, 24 July 2025 — A coalition of refugee, worker, and women’s rights organisations gathered outside the Iranian Embassy in London to protest the Iranian government’s campaign of mass deportation targeting Afghan refugees. The demonstration condemned a “brutal and fascist” effort by the Islamic Republic of Iran to expel vulnerable populations under the guise of national security.

Dashty Jamal, Secretary of the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR), delivered a powerful address, denouncing the Iranian regime’s actions:

Afghan refugees are not outsiders. They are part of the working class in Iran. They have built homes, cleaned streets, raised children, and powered the economy for decades. This assault is not just on Afghans—it is on all workers.

The Iranian government is using this discriminatory policy to divide us, to turn one part of the oppressed against another, in order to maintain its own power. But we will not fall for it.

Thousands are being torn from homes, schools, and hospitals—deported without warning, trial, or rights. At the border, they face violence and extortion. On the other side, they face the brutality of the Taliban.

We say: No more deportations! No more racism! No more division! We stand with Afghan refugees. We stand with the Iranian people resisting. We stand with all workers, united across borders.”

Other speakers included Halaleh Tahiri from Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation (MEWSO), Saeed Arman of Iranian Refugees Without Borders, Anne of Movement for Justice, and Philip of AWL, all voicing solidarity with Afghan refugees and opposing the systematic deportations.

Demonstrators held placards reading:

• “Deporting refugees to Afghanistan is a crime”

• “Borders can divide land, but not people”

• “Being a refugee is not a crime—discrimination is!”

Chants included:

• “Stop deporting Afghan refugees!”

• “The right to asylum is a human right!”

• “From Tehran to Kabul: one struggle, one fight!”

• “Long live international working‑class solidarity!”

• “No to deportation! No to discrimination!”

Represented organisations:

• • Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation (MEWSO)

  • International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR)

• International Organisation of Iranian Refugees
• No Sweat

• Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women Organisation (KMEWO)

• Movement for Justice by Any Means Necessary

• Alliance for Workers’ Liberty

The event concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to continue organising in defence of refugee rights and against state policies that perpetuate discrimination and division.

Dashty Jamal speech in front of Iranian Embassy in London

24/7/2025

Dear friends, comrades,

We are refugees, workers, and women’s rights organisations, standing together in solidarity and resistance.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is carrying out a brutal, racist campaign of mass deportation against Afghan refugees under the false excuse of “fighting spies.” But this is not about security. It is about control, cruelty, and fascism.

Afghan refugees are not outsiders. They are part of the working class in Iran. They have built the homes, cleaned the streets, raised the children, and powered the economy for decades. This assault is not just on Afghans it is on all workers.

The Iranian government is using this policy of discrimination to divide our class to turn one part of the oppressed against another, so the regime can maintain its own power. But we won’t fall for it.

Thousands are being torn from homes, schools, hospitals deported without warning, without trial, without rights. At the border, they face violence and extortion. On the other side, they face the Taliban’s brutality.

This is not just an attack on Afghan Refugees. It is an attack on women, on children, on workers, and on human dignity.

We say: No more deportations! No more racism! No more division!

We stand with Afghan refugees. We stand with the Iranian people resisting. We stand with all workers, united across borders.

Let’s raise our voices together:

Stop the expulsions!

Stop the violence!

Long live working-class solidarity!

Long live humanity!

Thank you very much.

Let’s bring Iran’s Racist and Fascist Policies Against Afghan Workers to failure. 

Dashty Jamal

The Iranian government, following the cessation of the 12-day war with Israel and the United States, has launched an unprecedented, unlimited persecution, arrests, executions with greater crackdown on the working class, activists of social movements, activists of  the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, and the Iranian people in general. This time, there was no restraint,  and beyond its previous rhetoric of “espionage” and “connection with the enemy,” it has expanded these accusations even further.

Alongside nationalist and “patriotic” propaganda, it has fuelled racism, hatred, incitement, and humiliation towards Afghan refugees and migrants, using them as scapegoats under the pretext of “preventing infiltration by Israel.” Mass deportation orders have been issued, placing the lives of millions of Afghan refugees and migrants who constitute the most marginalized and exploited layer of Iranian society under severe threat.

Meanwhile, the so-called “Israeli infiltrators” are not the Iranian people or Afghan refugees, but rather elements and officials within Iran’s own security, military, and intelligence apparatus, who, through systemic corruption, have themselves become Israel’s agents while maintaining privileged positions within the regime.

This hostile stance against Afghan refugees has been approved under the “National Migration Organization Draft Law” by the Iranian government and parliament, claiming to protect national security while targeting migrants deemed “undocumented.” This criminal, racist step by the Iranian government has subjected Afghan residents and their families to intense fear and hardship—people who, due to internal wars in the 1980s and the war in Afghanistan, came to Iran and built their lives and families there.

Despite lacking even the most basic rights, without access to healthcare, education, legal protection, and forced into hard and dangerous labour with low wages, they have lived under constant threat of arrest and deportation while being treated as second-class citizens. According to United Nations and human rights organisations, warnings have been issued about the catastrophic conditions faced by refugees on the Iran-Afghanistan border. Over 700,000 Afghans had already left Iran before this decision, with 230,000 deported in June alone. On some days, over 40,000 people were turned back at a single border crossing. Amnesty International and UNHCR have repeatedly called on Iranian authorities to end the mistreatment of Afghan migrants and to ensure their access to basic services and legal protections.

The arrest and deportation of Afghan refugees by the Islamic Republic of Iran is a fascist and racist policy rooted in humiliation and discrimination, mirroring the same fascist and racist immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration in the United States. In Iran, too, the economic crisis under the Islamic Republic has been blamed on Afghan refugees, portraying them as burdens rather than individuals in need of protection.

Workers are divided along ethnic and nationalist lines, separated into categories of Iranian and Afghan, Persian, Kurd, Turk and Baluch, fostering division and pitting them against one another. We must not allow the Islamic Republic to succeed in this crime against Afghan refugees. Freedom-seeking and humanitarian workers and the people of Iran are well aware that the regime is attempting to distract them with these racist scapegoating tactics.

At a time when the Islamic Republic faces a deep economic, political, and geopolitical crisis exacerbated by international sanctions, this crisis and the breakdown of social conditions have heavily impacted the working poor and deprived people of Iran, causing poverty, inflation, lack of services, and widespread corruption. Internationally, the regime has suffered defeats, losing its proxy forces in Hamas and Hezbollah, and with the weakening of Bashar al-Assad’s government, its influence is in decline.

Now, following the ceasefire in the 12-day war, the regime seeks to rebuild itself, restore its repressive policies, and suppress popular dissent within Iran. Within this framework, it has targeted Afghan refugees as a tool to control society, break unity, sow division among workers, and push nationalist sentiments, presenting Afghan migrants as the source of unemployment and social issues in Iran. This aims to incite conflict between Afghan migrants and Iranian workers, preventing solidarity within the Iranian working class.

The future of Iranian society cannot and will not be written by this corrupt, clerical, criminal ruling elite. The revolutionary movement that emerged in the last three years following the killing of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini with women, youth, workers, and students at its forefront can reverse this situation and overthrow the regime, which trembles in fear, paving the way for a free, equal, and prosperous future for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, place of birth, or religion, where all can live with dignity and respect.

The time has come once again to intensify international pressure and solidarity among workers, human rights, communist, and socialist organisations to force the Islamic Republic of Iran to halt its repression, torture, and executions, and to take concrete steps to protect the rights of Afghan refugees, ending deportations and ensuring their access to basic services.

We must act to inform the international community about the racist and fascist policies of the Iranian government, to pressure Iranian authorities to comply with international law in treating Afghan refugees, and to abandon their anti-refugee policies. Afghan refugees in Iran deserve a better life, free from repression and discrimination, with safety and a future without fear.

09/07/2025

Activities of the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees on the Occasion of World Refugee Day

On Friday, June 20, 2025, the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees organized the following activities in Sulaimani to mark World Refugee Day:

In the evening, a lecture was delivered by Kamran Latif, Director of the Center for the Defense of Children’s Rights, titled “Effects of Refugees on Children.” The lecture was hosted by Ms. Amira Mohsen.

Dawan Dilshad, Head of the Kurdistan Office of the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees, presented a report on refugee statistics covering the period from June 20, 2024, to June 20, 2025. He also discussed the activities carried out by IFIR to address the challenges faced by refugees.

A photography exhibition showcasing the federation’s activities was also held.