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Iranian activist & Belgian MP



A life for women's rights, democracy and social justice



Together for women’s rights, peace and a stable future

The Biography of Darya Safai

Iranian roots, Belgian home

Born in Iran, Darya Safai first fled to Iraq and finally to Belgium in 1999. Her escape from Islamist repression shaped her later commitment to human rights.

In Belgium, she built a new life and successfully integrated into society, while preserving her cultural roots.

Higher education

Darya Safai completed her studies and gained an academic qualification in the social sciences.

Alongside her studies, she was already actively involved in the Iranian diaspora and continued to develop her political position.

1

1999

Flight from Islamist repression in Iran to Iraq

2

1999

Emigration to Belgium and building a new life

3

Membership

Joining the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie

(N-VA.be)

4

2019

Elected to the Belgian Parliament as an MP

The Path into Politics

Darya Safai was driven to become a human rights activist by her own experience of authoritarian regimes. She first became involved in the Iranian diaspora and steadily developed her political stance over time.

As a member of the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA.be), since 2019 she has represented the Belgian public with a particular focus on integration, freedom of expression, and women's rights in her home region.

Political Career in Belgium

Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie

Member of the N-VA.be, for many years, a Flemish political party that stands for regional autonomy and liberal values.

Belgian Member of Parliament

Representing her constituents in the Belgian Parliament with a focus on social and integration policy.

Committees & Mandates

Active participation in various parliamentary committees, particularly in the areas of human rights and integration.

As a Member of Parliament, Darya Safai represents progressive values and advocates for an open, tolerant society. Her work focuses on improving the living conditions of migrants and promoting freedom of expression.

Key Political Achievements

Legislative Initiatives

Darya Safai successfully introduced legislative proposals to strengthen freedom of speech and to promote the integration of migrants in Parliament.

  • Initiatives to improve integration programmes
  • Draft legislation for greater transparency in public administration
  • Measures to strengthen citizens’ rights

Media Presence

Her bold way of expressing her views made her a sought-after voice in the media.

  • Frequent guest on political talk shows
  • Written contributions in leading newspapers
  • Lectures at universities and educational institutions

Human Rights and Women's Rights Activism

Darya Safai is a vocal advocate for women's rights in Iran and actively campaigns against the systematic oppression of Iranian women.

Hijab protests

Launched campaigns against forced veiling in Iran and supported the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement

Sporting events

Organised protests at international sporting events to draw global attention to human rights violations

For women

Supports programmes that empower women from Iran and helps them flee repression

"The freedom of women is the freedom of society"

Political Views & Positions

Integration

Successful integration requires mutual respect. Migrants should learn the language and values of their new home country, while society provides them with fair opportunities.

Freedom of expression

Freedom of expression is non-negotiable and must be protected everywhere – especially for women and minorities, who are often silenced.

Secularism

Politics and religion must remain separate. A secular system guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens, regardless of their beliefs.

Immigration policy

Fair immigration policy means clear rules for legal migration, alongside humanity and respect for refugees fleeing persecution.

Goals & Vision for Belgium

An open, tolerant future

Darya Safai dreams of a Belgium in which every person, regardless of their background or faith, has the same opportunities.

Socio-political goals:

  • Strengthen education and language support for migrants
  • Promote more women into leadership positions
  • Enforce equal opportunities in the labour market
  • Support critical engagement with authoritarian regimes

Policy proposals

Proposals to improve integration and strengthen freedom of expression in Belgium.

Education

High-quality education system for all

Equality

Equal opportunities regardless of background

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect as a foundation

Freedom of speech

Protection and promotion of the right to speak

Challenges & Controversies

Every political path brings debates and criticism with it. Darya Safai faced these discussions with openness.

Conservative criticism

Her clear positions on secularism and women's rights met with resistance from conservative forces. However, she consistently defended her views in public debates.

Media criticism

Individual media reports fuelled controversy around her background and political views. She responded with transparent communication and clear explanations.

Security

Her criticism of the Iranian regime brought personal security risks with it. Nevertheless, she did not allow herself to be silenced and continued to stand up for human rights.

Personal Life & Future Plans

Private Life

Darya Safai lives with her family in Belgium. Her own experiences with migration and integration shape her daily work.

Hobbies

She enjoys reading, travelling and engaging with people from different backgrounds.

Current Projects & Future Plans

01

New Legislative Initiative 2024

Working on additional legislative proposals to strengthen civil rights

02

International Networking

Expanding cooperation with human rights organisations worldwide

03

Youth Development

Increased commitment to political education for young people

04

Continuing Activism

Continued unwavering support for the women's rights movement in Iran

Campaign Planning

Developing new awareness campaigns

Public Relations

Further media presence and public appearances planned

Team Expansion

Building a larger support team for upcoming projects