Sweden Commits 10 Million Kronor to Support Iran’s Democracy Movement in 2026

In a decisive move, Sweden has announced a 10 million kronor aid package for 2026 aimed at supporting human rights activists and democracy advocates in Iran. This funding will be channeled through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to bolster individuals peacefully working to promote freedom of expression and democracy within Iran.

The decision comes amid ongoing brutal suppression of widespread protests in Iran that began earlier this year. These protests, rooted in demands for democracy and human rights, have been met with deadly violence by the Iranian regime. While exact death toll figures vary, reports indicate thousands of casualties, with one media source citing as many as 7,000 deaths.

Sweden's Aid Minister Benjamin Dousa emphasized that the financial aid aims specifically to increase the safety of those advocating democracy under hazardous conditions. For security reasons, the government has refrained from revealing specific beneficiaries of the support.

Alongside financial aid, Sweden has taken diplomatic steps by summoning the Iranian ambassador to the Swedish Foreign Ministry to condemn violence against peaceful demonstrators and reiterate the Iranian people's right to free expression. The Swedish government is also calling for heightened international pressure on Tehran and supports new European Union sanctions targeting Iranian officials implicated in the violent repression.

Notably, Sweden has welcomed the EU’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, a move Sweden's parliament widely backed. Aid Minister Dousa remarked, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something,” highlighting Sweden’s leadership role within Europe in advocating for stronger international solidarity with the Iranian people.

These measures underscore Sweden’s firm stance in supporting Iran’s pro-democracy movement and advocating for human rights amid the ongoing repression. The funding and diplomatic pressure aim to send a clear message of solidarity with Iranians striving for freedom and democracy despite dangerous circumstances.