IRSU
Student at Risk

The Iranian International Student Union (IRSU) is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organisation founded by Iranian students and scholars in exile to defend the right to education, academic freedom, and student dignity. Established in Switzerland, IRSU serves as a global platform representing Iranian students worldwide, especially those at risk, displaced, silenced, or excluded from higher education due to political repression, discrimination, or financial barriers.

Our Mission

IRSU exists to protect and promote:

  • The right to education as a universal human right
  • Academic freedom and institutional autonomy
  • Equality and gender equity in higher education
  • Protection of students at risk and political prisoners
  • Access to international academic opportunities for Iranian students

We believe that education is not a privilege granted by power; it is a fundamental right. Every student deserves to learn, research, speak, and organise without fear.

Why IRSU Was Founded

In recent years, Iranian students have faced systematic repression, including arrests, expulsions, academic bans, and intimidation. Many of IRSU’s founders have personally experienced imprisonment, surveillance, and exclusion from universities due to their peaceful activism.

IRSU was created in response to:

  • The shrinking space for student activism in Iran
  • The lack of independent international representation for Iranian students
  • The urgent need for structured advocacy at European and global levels
  • The financial and legal vulnerabilities faced by Iranian students abroad

IRSU is the first independent international union dedicated to representing Iranian students beyond state influence.

What We Do

IRSU works at the intersection of student rights advocacy, international diplomacy, and educational support.

Our activities include:

  • Advocacy with European and international student bodies
  • Collaboration with human rights organisations
  • Issuing policy statements and evidence-based reports
  • Supporting students at risk and displaced scholars
  • Building partnerships with universities, NGOs, and academic networks
  • Campaigning for gender equality and equal access to education

We engage with institutions across Europe and beyond to ensure that the voices of Iranian students are heard in policymaking spaces.

Our Values

IRSU is guided by the following principles:

  • Independence – Free from governmental or partisan control
  • Democratic governance – Student-led and transparent
  • Human rights-centred approach – Grounded in international law
  • Solidarity – Standing with students everywhere facing repression
  • Integrity and accountability – Evidence-based and principled advocacy

A Global Student Network

IRSU aims to connect Iranian students across continents, whether in Europe, North America, Asia, or elsewhere, creating a strong, collaborative, and resilient global network.

We welcome:

  • Students and scholars
  • Student associations and unions
  • Academic institutions
  • Civil society organizations
  • Human rights defenders

Together, we build structures of protection, representation, and empowerment.

Our Vision

We envision a future where:

  • Iranian students can study freely without political interference
  • Universities operate independently from authoritarian control
  • No student is imprisoned, expelled, or silenced for peaceful expression
  • Financial hardship does not block access to higher education
  • Gender equality in education is fully realised

IRSU is committed to long-term structural change while responding to urgent crises affecting students today.