Jina ‘Mahsa’ Amini, a 22-year old Kurdish woman from Saqqez, Kurdistan province of Iran, died after being detained by the Iranian government’s morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly. (Jina is her Kurdish name by birth. Mahsa is the name recognised by the Islamic State which refuses to recognise Kurdish names or the nation of Kurdistan.)
Jina’s death resulted in nationwide protests, which The New York Times described as the largest Iranian protests since 2009.
Protestors have been met with extreme violence and brutality by the Iranian security forces as they crackdown by using guns and batons. Iran Human Rights has since confirmed the death toll rising to 201 people, including 23 children.
Security forces have particularly cracked down in the Kurdistan and Baloch regions, as recent reports have highlighted fears about massacres in Sanandaj. Amnesty International has stated that they are “alarmed by the crackdown on protests in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, amid reports of security forces using firearms and firing teargas indiscriminately, even into people’s homes.”
The country’s internet has been severely disrupted and many are left not knowing where members of their family are or even if they are alive.
It is essential to support the feminist movement of the women in Iran for their right to basic human rights. The Kurdish slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi”, is a political slogan which since the 20th century has been used in the Kurdish independence movement and aims to recognise the importance of women.
It translates as “ Woman, Life, Freedom”, and the slogan is now globally used in protests to recognise the rights and importance of women in society.
We can all support this movement by:
1. Writing to your MP asking them to show their support publicly.
2. Joining protests to stand by the Women’s Rights Movement.
3. Be active on social media – follow relevant accounts and re-post and re-tweet content to raise awareness.
4. Use your voice and whatever platform you have, especially as the people of Iran currently have no access to the internet.
WE NEED TO BE THEIR VOICE!
These are the personal views of Susie Ara, a Kurdish activist from London, posted courtesy of MEWSo