# Farah Karimi

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Iranian-Dutch politician (born 1960)

Farah Karimi Member of the Senate Incumbent Assumed office 2 July 2019 Member of the House of Representatives In office 19 May 1998 – 30 November 2006 Personal details Born (1960-11-15) 15 November 1960 (age 65) Yasukand, Iran Party GreenLeft (since 1997) Other political affiliations People's Mujahedin (1980–1986) Alma mater Isfahan University of Technology University of Kiel University of Groningen

**Farahnaz "Farah" Karimi** ([Persian](/source/Persian_language): فرح کريمی; born 15 November 1960 in [Yasukand](/source/Yasukand), [Iran](/source/Iran)) is an [Iranian](/source/Iran)-[Dutch](/source/Netherlands) [politician](/source/Politics_of_the_Netherlands). She was a member of the [House of Representatives of the Netherlands](/source/House_of_Representatives_(Netherlands)) between 1998 and 2006 for the [GreenLeft](/source/GreenLeft) party. Since 2019 she has been a Senator for the GreenLeft party.

## Early life and education

Karimi was born in Iran in 1960. She received [primary education](/source/Primary_education) and [secondary education](/source/Secondary_education) in [Tehran](/source/Tehran), between 1966 and 1978. In 1978 she went to the [Isfahan University of Technology](/source/Isfahan_University_of_Technology) to study [industrial design](/source/Industrial_design). From the age of 15, Karimi became interested in progressive interpretations of [Islam](/source/Islam) and in [Ali Shariati](/source/Ali_Shariati).[1] In her youth, Karimi was involved in the resistance against [Shah](/source/Shah) [Mohammed Reza Pahlavi](/source/Mohammed_Reza_Pahlavi) and campaigned for democracy and [human rights](/source/Human_rights) in Iran. Karimi saw the [Iranian Revolution](/source/Iranian_Revolution) as a moment to put a form of [Islamic socialism](/source/Islamic_socialism) into practice.[1] Instead, the Iranian revolution brought a conservative religious government into power.[1]

In 1980, Karimi left the university to join the [Mojahedin-e Khalgh](/source/Mojahedin-e_Khalgh), a left-Islamistic[1] armed resistance movement against the [Islamic Republic government](/source/Government_of_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran).

In 1983 she fled from Iran to [Germany](/source/Germany), where she was granted [political asylum](/source/Political_asylum).[2]

In 1986 Karimi broke with the Mojahedin-e Khalgh. In her 2005 book *The Secret of Fire* Karimi describes her experiences with the Mojahedin-e Khalgh, and her break with the organization.[2]

In [Hamburg](/source/Hamburg), Germany, Karimi attended a college for foreign students in 1985.

Between 1986 and 1988 [mathematics](/source/Mathematics) and [information science](/source/Information_science) at [University of Kiel](/source/University_of_Kiel). Between 1983 and 1988 Karimi was active in different refugee groups in Germany and France.[3][2]

In 1989, Karimi went to [the Netherlands](/source/The_Netherlands) with her family. At the [University of Groningen](/source/University_of_Groningen), Karimi studied "International Relations and International Organizations". She also obtained the [Dutch nationality](/source/Dutch_nationality_law).

## Career

In 1993, Karimi began to work in the semi-public sector. Between 1993 and 1994, she began to work for the foundation Probe in [Hoogezand-Sappemeer](/source/Hoogezand-Sappemeer). Since 1994, she worked as a coordinator for Aisa, a project for the emancipation and support of black, migrant and refugee women.

In 1997, she became a member of the [GreenLeft](/source/GreenLeft) party.[3] In April 1998, she became a board member of GreenLeft.

In 1998 she was a national project leader for "[Heel de Buurt](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Heel_de_Buurt&action=edit&redlink=1)" of the [Dutch Institute for Care and Welfare](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dutch_Institute_for_Care_and_Welfare&action=edit&redlink=1). Karimi was also active in civil society. Between 1991 and 2001, she was a member of the Board of [Vluchtelingenorganisaties Nederland](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vluchtelingenorganisaties_Nederland&action=edit&redlink=1).

A debate led by [Jan Terlouw](/source/Jan_Terlouw)

### Political life

In the [1998 elections](/source/1998_Dutch_general_election) Karimi was elected to the [House of Representatives](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Netherlands) for GreenLeft.[2] In the House of Representatives, she was involved in the [foreign affairs](/source/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Netherlands)), development cooperation, European affairs and [defense](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(Netherlands)). As such, she was vice chair of the permanent committee for European Affairs. She also was a member of the committee for [justice](/source/Ministry_of_Justice_(Netherlands)). In 1999 she was one of two MPs (the other one was [Ineke van Gent](/source/Ineke_van_Gent)) who voted in favour of a motion of [Harry van Bommel](/source/Harry_van_Bommel) to end the [NATO bombings](/source/1999_NATO_bombing_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Yugoslavia) which were part of the [Kosovo War](/source/Kosovo_War).[3]

In 2003, she proposed, together with [Niesco Dubbelboer](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Niesco_Dubbelboer&action=edit&redlink=1) of the [PvdA](/source/Dutch_Labour_Party) and [Boris van der Ham](/source/Boris_van_der_Ham) of the [D66](/source/D'66), to hold a [referendum](/source/2005_Dutch_European_Constitution_referendum) on the [Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe](/source/Treaty_establishing_a_Constitution_for_Europe). The proposal became law in 2005. She also questioned the Minister [Jozias van Aartsen](/source/Jozias_van_Aartsen) on the [American Service-Members' Protection Act](/source/American_Service-Members'_Protection_Act), which obliges the American government to free American citizens who are brought to the [International Criminal Court](/source/International_Criminal_Court) in [The Hague](/source/The_Hague) -even with the use of violence- and Minister [Ben Bot](/source/Ben_Bot) on the Dutch support for the [Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War). She also took the initiative to support free Iranian Media, [Rooz](/source/Rooz) and [Radio Zamaneh](/source/Radio_Zamaneh), with 15 million euros. This was accepted by the House of Representatives at the end of 2004. Karimi did not put herself forward as a candidate in the [2006 elections](/source/2006_Dutch_general_election).

Karimi was the executive director of [Oxfam Novib](/source/Oxfam_Novib) until 2018. In 2009 and 2010 she chaired the SHO, a group of cooperating humanitarian aid organizations. She is also a board member of the broadcaster [VPRO](/source/VPRO) and the IDH ([Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dutch_Sustainable_Trade_Initiative&action=edit&redlink=1)). Between 2006 and 2007 she served on the board of Parliamentarians for [Global Action](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_Action&action=edit&redlink=1) in New York. In 2007 she helped to establish the Afghan parliament as a consultant with the UN branch UNDP. As an administrator, she was involved with the advisory board of the [International Institute for the Study of Islam in the Modern World](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Institute_for_the_Study_of_Islam_in_the_Modern_World&action=edit&redlink=1), among other projects.

For her work, Karimi traveled extensively to conflict regions. In May 2005, she visited the [opposition in Iran](/source/Politics_of_Iran#Political_pressure_groups_and_leaders). She was interrogated at the Teheran airport and information was copied from her diary. This led to a formal protest by Minister Bot to the Iranian ambassador.[3]

The main themes of her work in the House of Representatives were human right and international law in [foreign relations of the Netherlands](/source/Foreign_relations_of_the_Netherlands). She paid particular attention to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the developments in Afghanistan and Iran. She wrote about it in her books "Battlefield Afghanistan" and "The Secret of Fire".

### Life after politics

Farah Karimi giving a lecture at [Leiden University](/source/Leiden_University), 2013

In early 2007, Karimi worked for the [United Nations Development Programme](/source/United_Nations_Development_Programme), where she was a senior consultant for the UNDP in [Afghanistan](/source/Afghanistan) for project SEAL ([Support to the Establishment of the Afghan Legislator](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Support_to_the_Establishment_of_the_Afghan_Legislator&action=edit&redlink=1)).[4] There she taught and supported different committees of the [National Assembly of Afghanistan](/source/National_Assembly_of_Afghanistan).[3]

In November 2007 she was appointed general director of Oxfam Novib. She succeeded [Sylvia Borren](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sylvia_Borren&action=edit&redlink=1).

Karimi is also active in civil society. She writes for *[Rooz](/source/Rooz)*, a free, Persian online newspaper. Since 2004, she has been a member of the Board of Advice of the [International Institute for the Study of Islam in the Modern World](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Institute_for_the_Study_of_Islam_in_the_Modern_World&action=edit&redlink=1) in [Leiden](/source/Leiden). In 2006, she founded [Bridging the Gulf](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bridging_the_Gulf&action=edit&redlink=1), a foundation for [human security](/source/Human_security) in the Middle East]. Between 2006 and 2007, she was a member of the board of [Parliamentarians for Global Action](/source/Parliamentarians_for_Global_Action) in New York.[4]

## Personal life

Karimi has been married twice. Her first husband was also involved in the [Mojahedin-e Khalgh](/source/Mojahedin-e_Khalgh). When she broke from the organization in 1986 she also broke with him.

She has one son with her first husband, who was born when Karimi fled from Iran. In 1989 she was married again. Karimi speaks [Persian](/source/Persian_language), [Dutch](/source/Dutch_language), [English](/source/English_language), [Turkish](/source/Turkish_language) and [German](/source/German_language).[1]

## Selected works

- *Slagveld Afghanistan* (El secreto del fuego: mi vida contra el fanatismo islámico/Battlefield Afghanistan) (2006) (Dutch, Spanish and English Edition) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-8-467-02273-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-8-467-02273-5)

- *Het geheim van het vuur* (The Secret of Fire) (2005) together with [Chris Keulemans](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Keulemans&action=edit&redlink=1)

- *In naam van de vrijheid: hoe onze wereld na 9/11 steeds onvrijer is geworden* (In the name of freedom: how our world has become increasingly unfree after 9/11), 2021 (Dutch and English Edition) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9-046-82875-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9-046-82875-5)

## See also

- [Iranians in the Netherlands](/source/Iranians_in_the_Netherlands)

- [List of famous Iranian women](/source/List_of_famous_Persian_women)

## References

[Farah Karimi](https://www.writersunlimited.nl/en/participant/farah-karimi)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-VK_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-VK_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-VK_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-VK_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-VK_1-4) [Ontsnapt aan de willekeur](http://farah2007.karimix.de/fileadmin/images/fka/publicaties/Ontsnapt_aan_de_willekeur.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080910222333/http://farah2007.karimix.de/fileadmin/images/fka/publicaties/Ontsnapt_aan_de_willekeur.pdf) 10 September 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) in [De Volkskrant](/source/De_Volkskrant)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Trouw_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Trouw_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Trouw_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Trouw_2-3) [Van rood islamisme naar GroenLinks](http://farah2007.karimix.de/fileadmin/images/fka/publicaties/Van_rood_islamisme_naar_GroenLinks.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080910222336/http://farah2007.karimix.de/fileadmin/images/fka/publicaties/Van_rood_islamisme_naar_GroenLinks.pdf) 10 September 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) in [Trouw](/source/Trouw) 27-05-2005 reproduced on Karimix.de

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-parlement_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-parlement_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-parlement_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-parlement_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-parlement_3-4) [Drs. F. Karimi](http://www.parlement.com/9291000/biof/02255) op parlement.com

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CV_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CV_4-1) [Farah Karimi](http://farah2007.karimix.de/karimi0/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080925154417/http://farah2007.karimix.de/karimi0/) 2008-09-25 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) on FarahKarimi.nl

## External links

Media related to [Farah Karimi](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Farah_Karimi) at Wikimedia Commons

- [Drs. Farah Karimi](http://www.parlement.com/9291000/biof/02255) on parlement.com

- [Farah Karimi's profile at UNESCO](https://en.unesco.org/ipdc-talks/ms-farah-karimi)

- [Civilian Diplomacy in the Gulf Region. An interview with Farah Karimi](https://repository.ubn.ru.nl/handle/2066/94301)

- [Farah Karimi's biography](https://www.wise-qatar.org/biography/farah-karimi/)

- [Farah Karimi Speech at Human Rights Day Seminar, Leiden University, Dec. 2013](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6B5ebc8yW8) (VIDEO)

- [Farah Karimi - Green European Journal](https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/article-author/farah-karimi/)

v t e Members of the Senate of the Netherlands, 2023–2027 Senate 13 June 2023 – present GroenLinks–Labour Party 14 seats Rosenmöller (leader) Crone Fiers Van Gurp Janssen-van Helvoort Karimi Kluit-Sledsens Martens Ramsodit Recourt Roovers Thijssen Veldhoen Vos (president, 2025–present) Farmer–Citizen Movement 12 seats Lagas (leader) Croll Goossen Griffioen Heijnen Jaspers Klopman Van Knapen Kroon Van Langen-Visbeek Lievense Marquart Scholtz Oplaat Panman Van Wijk Walenkamp People's Party for Freedom and Dem. 9 seats Schippers (leader, 2023–2025) Klip-Martin (leader, 2025–present) Van Ballekom Van den Berg Bruijn (president, 2023–2025) Geerdink Kaljouw Van der Linden Meijer Musa Petersen Van de Sanden Straus Vogels Democrats 66 7 seats Van Meenen (leader) Aerdts Belhirch Croll Dittrich Griffioen Kanis Kilic-Karaasian Moonen Christian Democratic Appeal 6 seats Bovens (leader) Bakker-Klein Doornhof Prins-Modderaar Rietkerk Van Toorenburg Party for Freedom 4 seats Faber-van de Klashorst (leader, 2023–2024) Van Hattem (leader, 2024–present) Bezaan Van Kesteren Van Strien JA21 2 seats Nanninga (leader, 2023–2025) Van Bijsterveld (leader, 2025–present) Baumgarten Socialist Party 3 seats Janssen (leader) Van Aelst-den Uijl Van Apeldoorn Kox Christian Union 3 seats Huizinga-Heringa (leader) Holterhues Talsma Forum for Democracy 3 seats Dessing (leader) Kemperman Van den Oetelaar Party for the Animals (de jure) 2 seats Koffeman (leader, 2023–2025) Visseren-Hamakers (leader, 2025) Nicolaï (leader, 2025–present) Volt 2 seats Perin-Gopie (leader) Hartog Reformed Political Party 2 seats Schalk (leader) Van Dijk De Vries 50Plus 1 seat Van Rooijen (leader) Independent Politics Netherlands 1 seat Van der Goot (leader) Beukering Group 1 seat Beukering (leader) Van de Sanden Group 1 seat Van de Sanden (leader) Visseren-Hamakers Group 1 seat Visseren-Hamakers (leader) Walenkamp Group 1 seat Walenkamp (leader) Van Gasteren Group 1 seat Van Gasteren (leader) See also: Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2021–2023 2023–2025 2025–present

v t e Members of the Senate of the Netherlands, 2019–2023 Senate 11 June 2019 – 13 June 2023 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD – 12) Jorritsma ‹Adriaansens› Arbouw Van Ballekom Van den Berg De Blécourt Bruijn (President) De Bruijn-Wezeman ‹Van der Burg› Geerdink Keunen Klip-Martin Meijer L. Vos ‹Wever› Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA – 9) Knapen Atsma Doornhof Essers Van Kesteren Oomen-Ruijten Prins Rietkerk Rombouts ‹Soeharno› GroenLinks (GL – 8) Rosenmöller De Boer Ganzevoort Van Gurp Karimi Kluit Krijnen Veldhoen ‹Vendrik› Democrats 66 (D66 – 7) Bredenoord Backer Dittrich ‹Van Huffelen› Moonen Pijlman Stienen Van der Voort Labour Party (PvdA – 6) M. Vos Crone Fiers Karakus Koole ‹Nooren› Recourt ‹Sent› Party for Freedom (PVV – 5) Faber Bezaan Van Hattem Van Kesteren Van Strien Socialist Party (SP – 4) Janssen Van Apeldoorn Gerkens Janssen Kox Christian Union (CU – 3) Huizinga ‹Bikker› ‹Ester› † Kennedy Talsma Verkerk Party for the Animals (PvdD – 3) Koffeman Nicolaï Prast ‹Teunissen› 50PLUS (50+ – 2) Van Rooijen Baay-Timmerman Reformed Political Party (SGP – 2) Schalk Van Dijk Forum for Democracy (FVD – 3) Dessing ‹Cliteur› Independent Senate Group (OSF – 1) Raven ‹Gerbrandy› Nanninga Group (Indep. – 7) Nanninga Berkhout Beukering Hermans Van der Linden Van Pareren ‹Pouw-Verweij› Van Wely Otten Group (Indep. – 2) Otten ‹Baljeu› ‹Rookmaker› De Vries Frentrop Group (Indep. – 2) Frentrop Hiddema Bold indicates the parliamentary leader (first mentioned) and the President; (Brackets) indicate a temporarily absent member; Italics indicate a temporary member; ‹Guillemets› indicate a member who has left the Senate See also: Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2017–2021 · 2021–2023

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Farah Karimi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farah_Karimi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farah_Karimi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.