Protecting The Right To Life

Joint Statement by Women Activists and Human Rights Organisations on the Death of Ghazal Mawlan

Ghazal Mowlan, a 20-year-old woman and a member of the Kurdish organisation of Iran, was critically injured on April 14 following drone attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran targeting a refugee camp in Soordash in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Despite her urgent and life-threatening condition, she was transferred between multiple hospitals in Sulaymaniyah and was systematically denied medical treatment due to her political identity and discriminatory legal and administrative barriers.

20-year old Ghazal Mawlan

Bakhshin Hospital, fully equipped to provide the necessary care, explicitly refused treatment on political grounds, citing lack of authorisation from local police under the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), as well as policies prohibiting the admission of Iranian nationals or individuals affiliated with Peshmerga forces. This refusal constitutes a deliberate denial of life-saving care.

We, as women’s organisations and human rights activists, unequivocally condemn this act as a grave violation of international human rights law and medical ethics. We hold the Kurdistan Regional Government responsible for enforcing discriminatory and unlawful policies that directly contributed to the death of Ghazal Mowlan. These policies institutionalise medical discrimination and transform healthcare providers into agents of political exclusion, in clear breach of their legal and ethical obligations.

We further assert that the denial of treatment in this case constitutes a violation of the fundamental right to life, as protected under international human rights frameworks, and breaches core principles of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, which mandate the non-discriminatory treatment of the wounded and sick under all circumstances.

End Discriminatory Medical Practices and Protect the Fundamental Right to Life

Medical professionals and institutions are bound by the Hippocratic Oath and universally recognised ethical standards to provide care impartially and without discrimination. The actions of Bakhshin Hospital and any other involved institutions represent a serious dereliction of duty and a violation of medical neutrality. The refusal to treat a patient on political grounds is not only unethical, it may amount to criminal conduct.

We therefore call for immediate, independent, and transparent investigations into the role of Bakhshin Hospital, its administrative authorities, and all relevant officials. We demand that those responsible be held fully accountable through appropriate legal mechanisms. This includes potential disciplinary actions, suspension or revocation of medical licenses, and, where applicable, civil and criminal prosecution under both domestic and international legal standards.

Accountability in this case is essential not only for justice for Ghazal Mawlan, but also to send a clear and unequivocal message: discrimination in medical care will not be tolerated, and violations of human dignity and medical neutrality will carry consequences.

Finally, we call on all human rights defenders, women’s rights movements, civil society actors, and people of conscience worldwide to take action. Raise your voices. Demand accountability. Pressure the Kurdistan Regional Government to repeal all discriminatory laws and practices that restrict access to medical care based on nationality, political identity, or affiliation.

Healthcare is not a privilege to be granted or withheld based on politics, it is a fundamental human right. The use of medical systems as instruments of political control is unlawful, unethical, and indefensible under any circumstances.

To add your name to the list, contact Halaleh Taheri at Halaleh.Taheri@mewso.org. Write Ghazal Mawlan in the subject box.

1. Helaleh Taheri, Founder of Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation(MEWSO)The UK

2. Dashty Jamal, Secretary of the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR)- The UK

3. Bahar Munzir, Board Member of the Independent Women’s Organisation (IWO)-Iraq/Kurdistan

4. Sawsan Salim, Director of Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Rights (KMEWO) The UK

5. Saeed Arman, Secretary of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (BIMARZ) -The UK

6. Abdulkarim Abdulsada Omran (Abu Watan), President of the General Federation of Workers' Unions in Iraq & President of the General Energy Union- Iraq

7. Dabin Organisation for Democracy Development and Human Rights-Iraqi Kurdistan

8. The March 8 Network- (Composed of 63 organisations, Journalists, academics established 2022, to advocate for women’s rights and struggle for equality between women and men in Kurdistan)

9. Kurdistan Justice Seekers – Iraqi Kurdistan

10. Alience for Workers Liberty -The UK

11. Azar Majedi, Spoke Woman of Women Liberation Organisation (WLO) Iran

12. Mercedeh Ghaedi, Board member of No To Execution in Iran

13. Solayman Ghasemiani, Chair Man-Working class Art and Literacy-Hana magazine-Sweden

14. Movement For Justice By Means Necessary- The UK

15. Maryam Namzi, Spoke Woman of One Law for All-The UK

16. Rebwar Aref, head of the congress of Freedom and Change- Kurdistan/Iraq

17. Freedom for Sustainable Development in Kurdistan- Kurdistan/Iraq

18. Azizeh Lotfi, Board member of the Kurdistan Women’s Union- Kurdistan/Iran

19. Abi Asadi, The secretary of International Federation of Iranian Refuge- Sweden

20. Sahra Bahar, Member of Justic for Prisoners in Iran, Against Execution-Iran

21. Halala Rafi, International Committee for Women’s Rights & Women’s Shelter Nina-Sweden

22. Sara Mohamd, Chair Woman for Never Forget Pela & Fadima- Sweden

23. Mohammad Alloush, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Workers’ Struggle Union

24. Nadia Mahmood, Women Alliance in Iraq

25. Karen Johnson female activist anti migrant campaigner and Trade Union member of ‘PCS’ and ‘No Sweat’

26. Association of the Injured and Justice Seekers of the Zhina Uprising

27. Organisation of the Voice of Eastern Kurdistan- Kurdistan/Iran 

28. United Voice Institution- Iran

29. Sheila Bidlecomb Animal Rights campaigner Dorset and Unison trade union activist in a personal capacity

30. Almas Farzi, Solidarity with Iranian people Struggle – London-he UK

31. Woman – Life – Freedom Unity Organisation-Iran

32. Human Rights Activists Organisation-Iran

33. Azizeh Lotfi, Board member of the Kurdistan Women’s Union- Kurdistan/Iran

34. Abdulla Asadi, The secretary of International Federation of Iranian Refuge- Sweden 

35. Sahra Bahar, Member of Justic for Prisoners in Iran, Against Execution-Iran

36. Kurdish Women Project-London (KWP)

37. Zahra Tekin, Iranian Community Network (Oxford)- The UK

38. Sedika Mohammadi, Association for the Struggle for the Liberation of Iranian Women-Sweden

39. Fardieh Rezai Support Committee for Kurdish Women

40. Shiva Mahbobi, Spoke Woman for Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)

41. Dr. Cameran Azad, Skin specialist-Australia 

42. Mitra Mahmoodi, Director of Avaye Zan (The voice of Women) Radio-Australia

43. Socialist Group of Iranian Diaspora, Australia

44. Toma Hamid, Skin Cancer Doctor, East Gippsland Skin Cancer Clinic, Metung, Victoria, Australia